Elif Hangul September Newsletter
Welcome to my very first September Newsletter! It's great to have you here, and it's a pleasure to meet you! I'm Elif, and my friends often call me Elf, so feel free to do the same! I'm a 17-year-old girl with a strong passion for science, and I've been pushing my limits lately. So, let's dive into the latest updates about my life
Exchange Year In Latvia
It's officially been a month since I received a full scholarship from the AFS program, and it marked my first solo flight to an entirely unfamiliar destination! Until the plane touched down, everything was shrouded in mystery, and I was filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. However, you know what? This has turned out to be the most incredible experience of my life! I'm living with a wonderful host family whom I've come to adore. I'm attending a new school with a completely different education system and making new friends (although I secretly miss my Turkish friends, but let's keep that our little secret, shh!). What's more, I'm even taking my classes in Latvian and trying my best to learn the language.
This experience is teaching me the true meaning of 'home.' It's not just a country or a place or even a house; home is within me, myself, and nowhere else.
The Knowledge Society
At the start of this month, I received the incredible news that I've been awarded a full ride scholarship from TKS (The Knowledge Society)!
TKS is a revolutionary initiative that empowers young individuals to delve into cutting-edge technologies and work on solutions for global issues. I was absolutely thrilled about being a part of this program, and when I found out about my project, my happiness knew no bounds! Our journey involves engaging in 3-hour sessions every Sunday, where we explore powerful mindsets, engage in insightful discussions, and learn about emerging technologies. Additionally, we're tasked with preparing projects each week! If you'd like to learn more about my projects;
My Scholarship Project (Familial Amyloid Disease Treatment with CRISPRCas9)
My Learn Article (CRISPR Screening Technology on Drug Identification)
Acting
When I initially got wind of the chance to be part of a movie set in 1959, my excitement went through the roof—LET ME INNN!!
I've had a passion for acting ever since I was a little girl back in primary school. I've even had the opportunity to act in TV advertisements, and there was this one time I portrayed the childhood of a really popular character! Fast forward to two weeks ago, in Riga, I had the privilege of being a background actor, donning magnificent costumes, all within the grandeur of a palace hotel.
It was an absolutely amazing experience, and we even had a fantastic photoshoot! I can hardly contain my excitement for future projects!
Dance and Language Class
Since I arrived here a month ago, I've been actively seeking out activities to make the most of my time in this new place! My host family is part of a traditional Latvian dance class, and when they invited me to join, I thought, 'Why not?' My first experience was quite challenging (even some of the ladies around my mother's age were better dancers than me!), but I'm determined to improve with time!
Additionally, I'm making an effort to learn the Latvian language. After all, you can't always rely on saying 'Es nesaprotu,' which means 'I don't understand!' Every other Wednesday, I attend a language lesson, and I must say, it's a lot of fun!
The Article Lab
The Article Lab is a platform I've established specifically for teenagers, allowing them to freely publish their articles and blog posts on a wide range of topics. We've also introduced a forum page where teenagers can engage in discussions about their ideas and thoughts. Additionally, we have an activity page where we share information about events, projects, and internships for teens.
Exciting news for this month: We've launched a podcast series called 'The Podcast Lab,' designed for students interested in studying abroad in college! If this piques your interest, you can find the links here:
My Action Items for Next Month
Here's my plan for October:
Nobel Internship Program - Kicking off the Nobel Navigators initiative.
Meaningful Teens - Taking on the role of Volunteering Project Warriors.
The Article Lab - Embarking on a funding search.
See you next month!