Oğuz Tolun, Marine Engineering, SUNY Maritime College-ITU'2021
I am Oğuz Tolun. I graduated from the ITU/SUNY Maritime College in Marine Engineering. The department I studied in is one of the few in Turkey and the world where you receive uniformed education. At Maritime College, this education was identical to what I had seen in American military films. From time to time, I trained alongside soldiers from the U.S. Army. While gaining incredible discipline from this military-style education, I also had the opportunity to expand my vision with world-class academic training.
SUNY Maritime College is one of the best campuses among SUNY schools. The campus, which is built around a fortress called Fort Schuyler, has a history dating back to the 1800s. Since the school is only an hour away from New York, I spent most of my weekends in the city. In fact, you don’t even need to go to the city to see Manhattan—you can enjoy the view from your dorm room, the dining hall, or the classrooms.
After my two years in New York, I experienced my first sea adventure aboard the school’s ship, TS Empire State VI, traveling along the U.S. East Coast and Iceland. My education helped me start my career by working on gas tankers for one of the industry’s most established companies. Currently, I am serving as a deep-sea watch engineer at another company. As I write this text, I am in the Indian Ocean.
It is an incredible honor to have gained this experience, which is rare for people in Turkey. I recommend this program to anyone who has the opportunity.