Landing a summer internship at Global Nomads Group proved an anchoring experience at an unsettled time for Ezgi Nur Eyigor, who is passionate about culture, connection, and youth empowerment.
After seeing the opportunity on an internship board, Ezgi excitedly visited gng.org to learn more. She clicked on the video “Project Voice Reunion: Iraqis and Americans Reconnect 10 Years Later” and was instantly drawn in. Where the rest of the world — the media, world leaders, etc. — saw only differences and divides, she grasped that Global Nomads saw a powerful opportunity to foster dialogue and understanding of the “other side”.
“I love that Global Nomads uses technology as a tool to promote international peace by creating space to connect and explore a diverse range of topics without necessarily traveling. This opened up a new definition for cross cultural exchange that I wanted to be part of.”
Ezgi applied for an internship and was selected to spend the summer working alongside global peers and Global Nomads staff gaining substantive experience, like contributing to new curriculum, testing and providing input to enhance the online learning platform, collaborating on diverse teams, and presenting their work to the CEO and Board of Directors.
“I was able to be around people who are also committed to making a more just and peaceful world — even in a global pandemic. I loved that they valued every branch of their organization, evaluated their impact, and looked for ways to improve themselves. …[the experience] made the workforce that I am about to join less scary and the future more exciting.”
The daughter of Turkish parents, Ezgi was born in the US and moved to Turkey at a young age. In those early years, while learning two languages at once, she sometimes found it easier to use the universal unspoken language of kindness and caring. She connected with preschool teachers through smiles and helping to clean up, and she played the pet in pretend games so she could relate to classmates through her actions.
Ezgi is fascinated by the concept of ‘culture’ and how it can be defined by certain characteristics, shared knowledge, and complex ways of communicating. Like how a hand gesture or an object or word that you use daily could be very offensive in another culture. “Culture is very much the way we see the world, how we make sense of it — and it’s only one way. Which is why it’s important to see different perspectives — and not to judge or stigmatize others.”
When Covid struck, Ezgi was in the midst of a study abroad program in Australia. She had one day’s notice to pack and fly home to Turkey. “To be totally honest it has not been easy. The first few weeks I felt shocked and like I lost all that was important to me.” Slowly she embraced the quality time with her parents, signed up for free online courses that interested her, and volunteered to help translate documents for asylum seekers. She then brought her extraordinary skills and spirit to her dynamic internship at Global Nomads, where she was able to advance a mission she loves.
“So yes, 2020 has been a very challenging year, but it comes with its rewards and growth to open up new perspectives to make sense of — and make a difference in — the world.”
Ezgi Nur Eyigor, who lives with her family in Bursa/Turkey, is studying Psychology and Brain Sciences & Anthropology, with a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at Boston University. She is one of 10 college interns from 3 countries who brought unique perspectives, made valuable contributions, honed their talents, and expanded their aspirations at Global Nomads Group this summer.