11-10-2015
Bilkent University is a turning point in the lives of Obada and Faisal Coca-Cola International Scholarship opens future and change horizons for INJAZ Palestine Graduates”
Ramallah – Al-Hayat Economic: Obada Eshtayeh and Faisal Elaiwi, winners of Coca-Cola International Scholarship at Bilkent University in Turkey, with a firm pose and resolved words stated that they are looking forward to come back to their home land to take part in achieving its welfare and prosperity. They spent one year of study at Bilkent University, which was enough for them to open future horizons and the will of change for the better, motivating them to come back home and employ their experience in order to contribute in building up their country.
Obada found that Bilkent University, “the Kingdom” as he named it, provides the ambition that knows no limits of place or time. He realized that the dream of change is without any limit or constraint.
On the other hand, the scholarship sponsored and supported by Coca-Cola International in cooperation with INJAZ Palestine was a turning point in the life of Faisal that brought great chances for him, enriched his knowledge, and equipped him with potentials that allowed him to pursue his professional and scientific career.
This experience triggered the intellectual and knowledge zeal of Obada and Faisal who originally came from Nablus enabling them to prove their professional and academic excellence.
To Obada, having won the Coca-Cola International scholarship to study for one year at Bilkent University, as part of the program to obtain B.A. in English Literature, the experience enabled him to get another scholarship at the same University to obtaining the M.A in International Studies.
To Faisal, he managed to prove his competence and distinction when he attained the B.A. degree and a good position as an IT Engineer at Microsoft International.
The beginning of the experience was difficult, being an important turning point in the lives of both Obada and Faisal, as to study and live away from relatives and friends, which was a matter of concern for the two young men.
At the very beginning, Obada has to choose between three options, the first was to go to Scotland to spend one year of cooperative work, the second was to continue his study for the third year at the Turkish Bilkent University, or to stay in Nablus as a third choice. Eventually, he chose Coca-Cola International Scholarship to study at Bilkent University, which was a tough choice to stay away from relatives and from home. Contrary to his expectations, Obada was convinced during his study at Bilkent that “science has no home”, but rather at every spot on earth you will find a school.
Obada made it clear that this experience was absolutely magnificent in every sense of the word.” I thought at the beginning that this scholarship will provide me just with enough financial means to study in Turkey, then I will go back to my routine live, but the experience gave me lessons in practical life and experience for the future. The most important issue that I have learnt is how to be an active member in society that needs energy of the young overwhelmed with the spirit of initiation and the will to improve life conditions”.
As for Faisal, after studying Computer Engineering Science for three years at Al-Najah University in Nablus, where he was born and raised, he left the life he was used to, to go through new experiences and events, and to peruse new cultures and knowledge, which turned him into another broad-minded person, eager to ask, and looking forward for the change to the best.
Faisal memorized the surrounding atmosphere at the university, which was abundantly full of motivation for seriousness and work, which in turn, spur him to upgrade his skills and deepen his knowledge. He pointed out to an experience that he passed through in this University saying that “I used to attend the lectures meant for the post-graduate students, whether to attain the M.A or the PH.D., I used to select the courses that are of main interest to me and are related to my field of specialization. I could, daily, at Bilkent benefit from the experiences of professors, who contributed by their approach and educational expertise to enhance my personality, provide me with the passion to acquire more knowledge pertinent to technology and computer engineering”.
The positive influence was not confined to the year that both Obada and Faisal stayed at Bilkent, as the experience that they passed through has affected their lives later on. The broad mind of Obada, thanks to this year that he spent in Bilkent, was reflected in his social and practical role, as he got involved in students’ seminars that are dominated with the issues of the region, hoping to bring about some change to build up the institutions of the Palestinian State.
Obada made it clear saying that: “In our country Palestine, we need some open doors, trying to find constructive choices, that would establish a better future for our country” While Faisal, who is working for Microsoft company for 3 years, he has the opinion that, in spite of the hardships facing the young, and the long way they have to go through, the starting of a professional and successful career is not impossible. Over the year, which he spent at Bilkent for study, he could get the guidance and support necessary to allow him to make the best use of his inner potentials and his interest in technology, and to enhance this will and these skills, for the sake of upgrading his professional career.
Faisal added that “the main obstacles that face the new graduates, especially those who are specialized in the field of communication, technology, and computer science, is to find chances, and convenient conditions to build up a professional, and successful career. Although the Palestinian youth have the talent, and the promising ideas, the chances are not provided to everyone. I was one of the lucky ones who got the support and the chance to learn integrated skills, and acquire experience, that prepared me for work, and provided me with experience that supported my professional career and would consolidate it for now and for years to come”.
