Kübra Varlı

Student at the Koç University School of Nursing

I am in my fourth year at Koç University. I graduated from Istanbul Mustafa Kemal Anadolu Öğretmen Lisesi (vocational high school for teachers).

Could you give us some information about how you were first introduced to the Vehbi Koç Foundation and your relation to the foundation?
I first met with the Vehbi Koç Foundation during introduction days being held at a university. Prof. Anahit Coşkun told me about getting a nursing degree and job opportunities. If I was going to study nursing, it would have to be at the Vehbi Koç Foundation; so I made my decision accordingly. Students at Koç University do not only receive a theoretical education: we also practice on medical simulation mannequins at our laboratories before starting work at patient clinics. We have a state-of-the-art simulation room for special fields such as intensive care. Having hands-on, visual, and theoretical education has an enormous positive effect on our learning.  We have the facilities and the means that most students only dream about. For example, for every five students there is a clinical educator, and these clinical educators also provide one-on-one consulting as needed. We have access to all kinds of up-to-date and current information in our library, and this helps us with our research and encourages us to keep up with the most recent papers and articles.  Koç University students have already started to make a difference, and I believe as soon as we graduate from here, this difference will be noticed by everyone with whom we work.

Could you talk about your future plans and goals?  
After graduation, my first choice is to start working in the neonatal unit at the American Hospital and to get a Master's in neonatal nursing. And as for my distant future goals, I want to be a good head nurse and a charge nurse.

What is the role of the Vehbi Koç Foundation (VKV) in your life?
The Vehbi Koç Foundation is a big influence in my life because it is not just present where I study; since I live in the dorms it's also the place where I spend all my time. I feel safe and at ease within the boundaries of this organization. Knowing that the Vehbi Koç Foundation will support my academic career and provide necessary means in this respect shows that the Vehbi Koç Foundation will continue to play a large role in my life.  

February 2013