Mihriban Müge Aras, TESOL, SUNY New Paltz-METU’2019
Hello, my name is Mihriban Muge Aras. I graduated METU/SUNY New Paltz TESOL in 2019. METU has provided many skills and visions in addition to learning and teaching English. The literature lectures I took at METU made me look at different aspects. On the other hand, education lectures provided me valuable information and different approaches to create an ideal English Class. Grammar Lectures have enlightened me in terms of diverse grammar structures. In general, courses that I took at METU have increased my intellectual capacity and I learned something new every day -- I gained different perspectives. I feel that I am so lucky that all my teachers were experts in their field. They wanted us to reach our potential.
SUNY New Paltz was a golden year for me. I can describe that year as the year I found myself and I learned that nothing was impossible. I have gained so much experience at SUNY New Paltz. If I had a chance to go for the second time, I would go there. I believe that I adapted to SUNY New Paltz’s education system well and for me, it was a very good year in terms of education. The education system at SUNY New Paltz puts importance on projects and assignments comparing to the exams. Besides, the lecturers were very strict about the deadline of the assignments. I learned time and responsibility management from that experience. In addition to the study, I had an opportunity to engage in sports and arts. I attended theatre auditions, took music history courses and went to the Wellness Center. Theatre is my passion and SUNY New Paltz is one of the best public schools around that field. I went to many school plays. I feel that I am saturated in terms of culture. Meanwhile, I was the only Turkish student who stayed at the hostel. My English has improved as a result and I had friends from different parts of the world. After all these things, I can describe myself as a World Citizen.
In short, the METU-SUNY NP has augmented me in every aspect of my life and turned me into a completely different person. If I had a chance, I would choose this program and do the same things. I remember those days longingly. I hope many students will have the chance to experience this program as I did.