The Türkiye word “Ev” (meaning “home”) is more than just a space surrounded by four walls. “Ev” also means longing, memories, and refuge. For the members of the Türkiye alumni association at Pusan National University (PNU), Korea is their second “Ev.” Embracing both Türkiye and Korea as their homes, they each continue to nurture their dreams—dreams as radiant as the skies over Cappadocia. “Channel PNU” met with Celik Yagmur Nur (Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, 22), the president of the Türkiye Alumni Association, on February 16th, 2025.

Q. Please introduce yourself and the alumni association.

A. Hello, I’m Celik Yagmur Nur, president of the PNU Türkiye Alumni Association. The association was established in the fall semester of the 2024 academic year. Both the vice president and I were selected based on our passion and dedication to the association. Also, as a president, I lead external collaborations and plan various events, overseeing the overall operations of the alumni. The vice president, who works with me, is responsible for the core administrative tasks and member management.

Q. It’s known that the Türkiye alumni group is the smallest among international student alumni associations at PNU.

A. Yes, the Türkiye Alumni Association currently has 13 members (as of May 12th). There are nine Türkiye students currently enrolled at PNU, all of whom are members. The remaining three are PNU graduates. Given that the number of Türkiye students at PNU is around ten, 13 members is a relatively large number in context.

Q. Are there any advantages or disadvantages to having such a small group?

A. Having fewer members comes with its own strengths. We can focus more on each member’s preferences and expectations. It’s also easier to reflect everyone’s opinions when planning events and managing the group overall. Small-scale gatherings enable smoother communication and foster close-knit bonds among members. Moreover, budget execution and adjustments are more flexible, allowing for efficient use of resources.

So, being a small group actually helps us better understand members’ needs and make the most out of limited resources. Taking all that into account, I think the small size is more of an advantage than a drawback.

Q. We heard you held a Hanbok experience event. How did you come up with this idea, and how did members react?

A. The Hanbok experience was planned to give Turkish students a meaningful opportunity to experience Korean traditional culture. The Hanbok, with its unique beauty and cultural value, offers deep insights into Korean traditions. I believed the event would play an important role in fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two countries.

The Hanbok experience was a precious moment for us to understand and respect each other’s cultures. One member said that despite having lived in Korea for years, they had never worn a Hanbok until this event, which made the experience even more special. Many appreciated having the chance to capture these meaningful moments in photos. Some even said the feelings they had while wearing Hanbok were beyond words and that was very rewarding to hear.

Q. Do you have any strategies to grow the association or expand its activities?

A. Since the Türkiye Alumni Association already includes nearly all Türkiye students and alumni at PNU, there’s a limit to increasing membership. So, in this situation, focusing on expanding the scope of activities rather than the number of members seems more realistic. Hence, we are actually focusing on expanding the quality of our activities. In the short term, our goal is to hold events recognized by PNU International to secure university-level support. In the long run, we plan to obtain more resources and organize larger, more impactful events.

Q. What do you think is essential for the association’s stable and sustainable growth?

A. I believe maintaining good relationships among members is essential. A healthy foundation of relationships is necessary for the alumni association to grow actively and sustain its development. To achieve this, it’s important to actively reflect the diverse needs and expectations of the members by planning creative and meaningful events. I also think it’s crucial to coordinate these events in a way that allows all members to participate. This, I believe, is a key factor in ensuring the stable growth of the association and strengthening the bonds among members. Going forward, I will continue listening to members’ voices and plan activities that encourage their participation, leading the association toward further development.

Q. Lastly, do you have any words for students interested in the Türkiye alumni association?

A. This association was founded to create a space where all of us from Türkiye could come together, support one another, and spend meaningful time together. That’s why we are also committed to helping new students adjust more easily and will spare no effort in providing support. We hope that more Turkish students will join us in participating in alumni activities and help build a warm and supportive community. Moreover, anyone who wishes to promote deeper mutual understanding and cultural exchange between Korea and Türkiye is always welcome to collaborate with us. We look forward to creating various opportunities to grow and develop together!

Reporter Thadar-Soe

Translated by Thadar-Soe