Who am I? That’s not an easy question and one that challenges me to answer every time. I am a person who thinks that our experiences shape us into the person that we know ourselves as. Since I know myself, I am trying to relate the experiences with my traits. That might be the reason that I think that one can fully know oneself the moment that they can achieve this.
I currently live in Ankara, Turkey. I was born here as well. Here, you have to take a nationwide unified exam called LGS (High School Entrance Exam) to go to a decent high school. I was in the top 1%, but my goals were much higher. I was pretty disappointed, but I still got into a science high school, which is the most prestigious type of high school in Turkey.
I have started a new life in high school with new goals and expectations. With that, I started to sense that you’re constantly being moulded into a predetermined, self-destined person. You’re expected to believe in certain things, wear the same clothes, behave the same way, and most importantly, hold the same opinions. I want to be proudly different and stand up for what I believe in.
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
Steve Jobs
One of the steps that I’ve taken to craft my dreams is that I discovered my passions in the last years. I really like biology and think that that’s what I will wish to study.
It may not be a big surprise, but I love travelling. I think travelling makes you find your next passion. Travelling has this unique way of exposing us to new perspectives and fresh ideas.
Other than that, I like music and play the piano. People that know me also know that I am a huge Adele fan. I also enjoy photography as a personal hobby.
I’m still learning who I am, and maybe that’s how it should go. As long as I keep exploring, questioning, and staying true to myself, I know I’ll grow into the person I’m meant to be on my own terms.
With Peace ✌️
Levent Erdem