Cihan Güney G., 2019
I was born in Istanbul in 1998. I completed my secondary education in the Department of Foreign Trade at Toki Kayaşehir Trade Vocational High School with GPA 82.81 and graduated in 2016. Due to my high diploma score, I utilized my right to transfer laterally and chose Istanbul Aydın University (FULL SCHOLARSHIP) in 2016, graduating in 2019 with GPA of 3.24.
During my high school years, I placed significant importance on my studies for my career and future. After transitioning from accounting to foreign trade, I began gradually building my goals and moving forward towards my dreams with confidence. In the fourth year of high school, I started an internship at Erben Customs Brokerage . The tasks performed at the company were directly aligned with the subjects I studied in high school, providing me with practical experience. I developed myself by observing and listening to the employees at the workplace and started working as a permanent staff member after completing my internship.
After graduating from high school, I utilized my right to transfer laterally and chose Istanbul Aydın University (FULL SCHOLARSHIP) for evening classes. This allowed me to work in the mornings and attend classes in the evenings. I was informed that, as a full scholarship student, I could take a year of English preparatory classes and then start from the first year, which seemed like a reasonable option. Thanks to the knowledge and skills I gained at work, I did not struggle with university courses; in fact, it felt like I was applying the knowledge I had acquired at work directly in exams. I had a great understanding with my university lecturers who were very competent and experienced individuals from whom I gained valuable life and professional experience.
By 2019, I had graduated with a successful average of 3.24. One year after receiving my diploma, I was eligible to take the Customs Broker Assistant exam. Although I had sufficient knowledge and experience, I still had gaps to address before taking the exam. Consequently, I spent every opportunity studying in the library, reading about the Customs Law No. 4458 and Customs Regulation, and solving related tests day and night. In 2021, I felt ready for the exam and took the Customs Broker Assistant (B CARD) exam in Ankara, passing with a perfect score of 77.
The journey that began in 2015 continues at Erben Customs Brokerage Ltd. Şti., where I am now advancing my career as a Customs Broker Assistant (B CARD). Additionally, I am studying at Istanbul University – Faculty of Business Administration with the goal of eventually taking the Customs Broker (A CARD) exam. Completing this faculty will bring me one step closer to achieving my goals.
Derya Deniz, M.,2021
I was born in Gaziantep in 1999. I completed my high school education at Halkalı Trade Vocational High School. In 2019, I took a step towards my dream profession by being accepted into the Department of Foreign Trade at Istanbul Aydın University Vocational School. This was my dream profession since middle school and it has never changed. While my friends were talking about becoming nurses, doctors, or teachers, I always imagined myself running my own customs brokerage firm and providing truly suitable services for my country as a customs broker. I continue to strive towards this dream. During my university years, I both studied and started working in the service sector. My work and education have always continued simultaneously. In 2021, I graduated with honors from the Department of Foreign Trade at IAÜ. Through my very valuable lecturer Özlem Şenel, who is the Program Director of IAÜ Foreign Trade, I advanced in my career as an import customer representative due to the results of developing myself during my summer internship at a customs brokerage firm. After working in the sector for about 2 years, I left my position to explore different firms in the same sector and meet new people. I am currently continuing my role as an import customer representative at another firm, and I am also preparing for the 2023 Customs Brokerage Assistant exam through KTG Education.
In our sector, we must always make an effort and invest in our development. Of course, I owe a debt of gratitude to the IAÜ family and my very valuable professors, who have been my biggest supporters and have never left any of my questions unanswered. During my university life, I continue to maintain communication with the friends and professors I gained, in addition to my profession. My advice to new graduates is to always strive for the professions you truly love and feel at peace with in the sector you have chosen.
Emine A., Graduated in 2019
I was born in Istanbul in 1997. In 2015, I graduated as the top student from the Department of Foreign Trade at İTO Çatalca Multi-Program Anatolian High School. While studying at the Department of Economics in English at Hacettepe University, I decided to leave the university due to personal reasons after 2 months. After returning to Çatalca, I worked in an office for 8 months. Subsequently, I decided to retake the exam and choose a 2-year program. This is where my story with Aydın University begins.
I started the Department of Foreign Trade at Aydın University with a 100% scholarship. Although it was not mandatory in the first year, I attended English preparatory classes. My lecturer, Örsan Vecdi Tan, whom I met during the preparatory class, was one of the best teachers I have ever known. Thanks to this valuable professor, I successfully completed the preparatory year. I then continued in the Foreign Trade program. I had the opportunity to take classes from esteemed lecturer like Özlem Şenel and Serap Elüstü. As they were with me during those 2 years, they continue to support me. After 3 enjoyable, hardworking, and fun years, I bid farewell to Aydın University as the top student. Based on my professors' recommendations, I decided to become a Customs Broker.
A month after graduation, I started my internship at Kent Customs Brokerage. I continued working at Kent Customs Brokerage for about 1.5 years. During this period, I also obtained my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Following the advice of my friends, I sent my CV to Evolog Logistics. In 2020, I started working in the Balkan Countries Import Operations at Evolog Logistics. I am currently continuing my career in the same department as an Operations Specialist.
