50 Stories for 50 Years: Basak Oztahtaci ‘12
To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person's dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST's dedicated board members, dynamic staff, welcoming host families and enthusiastic ASSIST Scholars.
Basak Oztahtaci ‘12
Turkey, Ethel Walker School
Eight years ago, I sat down at ASSIST's New Scholar Orientation and heard the line "I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” It was my first time hearing that line from Robert Frost, and it stayed with me. That was the beginning of an amazing journey. Whenever I'm about to begin a new chapter in life, I still hear myself repeating that sentence internally.
After my ASSIST year at the Ethel Walker School, I attended Boston University. I graduated in May 2017 and was offered my first job in Boston soon after. During these noteworthy life moments, that Frost line would play through my head and I'd sit back to reflect on just how far I'd come. So much had changed since the day I applied to be an ASSIST Scholar from my home country, Turkey. During these reflective moments, I was filled with gratitude towards ASSIST for everything I had experienced during my ASSIST year.
That year as an ASSIST Scholar gave me more than I could have ever imagined. Looking back now, I recognize that it was the year I started becoming the person I am today. ASSIST introduced me to a culture I embraced from day one. The experience built my character, introduced me to life-long friends, and set me up for success in all the challenges and opportunities that would come.
Last summer I had to move back to Turkey because my job couldn't extend my work visa. After living in the U.S. for so many years, I felt sad to leave behind everything I had built. But I left with the knowledge that I would come back—because I had created a home for myself, and I knew that the person I am today belonged there. After all the good-bye parties and farewells, the day of departure arrived. Some of my friends helped me with my suitcases and drove me to the airport. That was such a symbolic moment, realizing that these last friends I bid goodbye were my earliest friends from Ethel Walker, the friends I'd met during the first few weeks of my ASSIST year several years ago.
It drove home the realization that this life I'd built was entirely due to the ASSIST experience.
About Basak:
Basak graduated magna cum laude from Boston University with a degree in psychology in May 2017. Upon graduation, she accepted a position to work as a research assistant at Forrester in Boston. She moved back to Turkey a year later when her work permit expired, but she plans to return to the U.S. to attend graduate school.