There is a very rare species of members: those who founded an antenna. Eren Bozkurt is one of them. When he found out that AEGEE had already existed in Antalya before, he was determined to bring it back to life! After completely fulfilling that challenge he takes the next step: the European level of AEGEE. At the upcoming Agora in Bucharest Eren will run for the vacant position of Member of the Audit Commission.
GT: Where would you be now if you hadn’t joined AEGEE?
Eren Bozkurt: I would be in a different youth club, which is related to international things and I would travel to many countries.
GT: How did you join AEGEE exactly? How did you find out about it?
Eren: There was AEGEE in Antalya like ten years ago* but somehow it was closed. One of my friends saw a sticker of the previous AEGEE-Antalya and told me: “You are interested in international things, I found this sticker, check this out!” After that I attended NWM Ankara 2016. Everything started from there.
GT: How long did it take you from the first moment until you signed the membership form and joined AEGEE?
Eren: A couple of months because we were trying to get things done to be a Contact that needed to be fulilled.
GT: What’s the typical drink & food you bring to European Nights?
Eren: Sextanbul!
GT: At an AEGEE party where will we find you? On the dancefloor? Talking at the bar?
Eren (laughing): If I am drunk enough, on the dancefloor!
GT: What was your first position in the local board?
Eren: First president and one of the founders.
GT: What was your favourite event as organiser – and why is it your favourite?
Eren: “Why So SUrious” Summer University 2018. It was my first European Level event as an organizer and it was really hard. I learned many things by doing that.
GT: What was your first Agora and how did you feel there? Happy, excited, overwhelmed, lost?
Eren: My first Agora was Autumn Agora Catania 2017. I did not know anything what is going on there and I knew only a few people before the event. At first I felt little bit strange but the social environment got me into it. I was so happy to join this huge association after Agora Catania.
GT: Have you ever hichhiked to an AEGEE event?
Eren: Not yet.
GT: Do you like cooking and what’s your favourite dish you like to cook?
Eren: I like it so much. My favourite is grilled chicken breast.
GT: What’s never missing in your fridge?
Eren: Cheese!
GT: What do your parents think about the idea that you are so active in AEGEE?
Eren: They are aware of how important it is to take responsibility in a multicultural association in order to improve myself.
GT: In a typology of members there are the three aspects fun member, career member and idealist – to which percentage are you which of these aspects?
Eren: 40% Idealist, 30% Fun, 30% Career.
GT: What other hobbies do you have aside from AEGEE?
Eren: I would like to say cycling. But my bike is also my transportation vehicle. I am interested in geography generally. I like every kind of nature, to go camping.
GT: Did you consider joining a political party or maybe want to do it later?
Eren: Not yet.
GT: What do you study – and why?
Eren: I study Business Administration because economic management attracted my attention.
GT: What’s your dream job?
Eren: After my finance and audit career I hope it will be running a hostel in a beautiful area.
GT: What’s the favourite city or place on this planet you ever visited?
Eren: There are a couple of places: Amsterdam, Rome, Boston, New York City.
GT: And where would you really like to go?
Eren: India, South America and the continent of Africa!
GT: What’s your biggest frustration in AEGEE?
Eren: Fortunately there is no frustration yet.
GT: Please complete the sentence:
Eren: “AEGEE is for me the gate of real life”
GT: How would you describe yourself in a few keywords?
Eren: I am a person who believes in science deeply, tries to behave kind to nature and follows his passions.
PS: AEGEE-Antalya was first created in 1999 and shut down in 2002. In 2009 it was created again and deleted in 2013. Now it’s the third attempt. Just like the old saying: “three time’s a charm!”
