Ayse Durdag

COL ’15
Hometown: Istanbul, Turkey
Major: Psychology and Philosophy

How would you compare Turkey to Georgetown, and where would you say you are more comfortable?
Definitely because of the language, I am more comfortable at home. English is my third language, because I studied French in high school so when I first came my freshman year was like a blur because I was trying to understand the American education system and what they require. I think now that staying in Istanbul in Turkey would be a lot more comfortable for me — like a big fish in a small pond — but coming here helped me to discover myself, not just meeting new people or trying new things, but learning how to survive on my own so even though it would be easier for me to stay I’m glad I came here.

So what’s the hardest part about transition from Istanbul to Washington, D.C., besides the language?
The thing is, I had been to D.C. many times when I was growing up because my dad grew up here so the area was familiar to me and my parents have many friends that live in Maryland, so I wasn’t feeling unfamiliar, but of course I was missing my family a lot and I’m the only child, so I have a really close relationship with my mom so that was a difficult part. And of course Spring Break freshman year I went back to Istanbul and they came to visit me and stuff so the transition had difficulties with people going to their home for the weekend and me here with the time difference trying to manage times to talk to my parents or friends. But after a certain time I made my own friends here which helped me and I started having fun I stopped thinking that it was difficult.

What kinds of things are you involved in on campus?
In freshman year, I was in Rotoract Club with one of my closest friends Irem; she’s Turkish too. So freshman year we were always doing stuff together to feel more comfortable, in a way, because we both had those insecurities about being different and having the language barrier and I think sophomore year first semester we started our radio show called “Turkish Delights.” We did it for three semesters – I stopped doing it she’s still doing it – and we were playing Turkish music and they told us we were the most listened-to show, which was a cool accomplishment for us. This year, again with Irem, we did Rangila which I enjoyed so much I’m doing it next year too (Senior Bhangra!). My current friends aren’t from those groups. I got stuck with my friends from freshman year, not in a bad way though! Most of them are Americans, unlike the rest of the internationals, because most of the internationals only hang out with internationals, but Irem and I feel more comfortable with Americans. So I have an American friend group – it’s good I like it.

How do you feel about the stereotypes of being an international student at Georgetown?
Not knowing the American education system and enthusiasm and stuff actually caused me to step a little back instead of — if I were coming from an American high school maybe I would be a lot more enthusiastic and willing to join and participate in clubs and stuff. While for me, it was kind of the opposite. It kind of held me back because I didn’t feel comfortable in that way. I see that a lot in many international students, but not all of them – especially not the ones that went to international schools in their home countries. In general, I think that I fit into an international student stereotype at Georgetown.

If you could lead a protest about one thing, what would it be and why?
The only thing that comes to my mind is kind of specific, but studying psychology, I’m really sensitive to stereotyping people with mental issues so I’d really like to protest against those who label them as “crazy.” People feel embarrassed or ashamed to accept that they go to a psychiatrist or take medication and, plus, it’s portrayed mostly negative in movies and media so I’d like to do something in that field because I don’t see any difference between having a problem with your liver and having a problem with your brain.

What kind of career are you looking to go into?
That’s what I’m asking myself too lately because I applied to the MSB and was a business student my freshman year but then I realized that I hate business and I hate math. In the meantime, I started taking psychology as a general requirement and really loved it. I switched my school without really thinking about what I was going to do after I figured I’d study something I liked. I wasn’t thinking about a career then but it’s time to think about it now! I’m really interested in abnormal psychology and am fascinated by schizophrenia. That field seems so interesting to me and I feel like a spy because once somebody tells you a story about their life you have to go through and put all the parts together and create a picture of it. It really intrigues me. Lately I’ve been thinking of studying clinical psychology but it’s a long path because you have to have a Ph.D. I’m asking myself if it’s worth it because there’s an economic reality that I have to face. People also say it’s a very tiring field to be a part of to be a clinical psychologist in a mental hospital so I’m still trying to decide what I want to do.

What has your favorite class been at Georgetown?
I guess I would say “General Psychology” and “Abnormal Psychology,” because Gen Psych was the class that led me to make all these changes in my life. I was going willingly to that class. I had Abigail Marsh as my professor and she was amazing and a great lecturer. Of course it wasn’t very in depth with anything.

Interview by Nicole Jarvis