BACKPACKER TRAVELLER OĞULCAN TATAR WAS AT ISTE
"From Sector to Campus with Oğulcan Tatar" event was organised by ISTE Travel Community within the scope of sector student meetings at Iskenderun Technical University (ISTE).
As part of its Sector-Student Meetings, Iskenderun Technical University (ISTE) hosted the event "From Sector to Campus with Oğulcan Tatar", organized by the ISTE Travel Club. Held on Tuesday, December 10, at the Orange Hall of the ISTE Main Campus, the event was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aytemis Depci with support from Social Responsibility Coordinator Lecturer Ebru Çakır. The gathering was attended by ISTE academic and administrative staff, along with many students. The featured guest speaker was Oğulcan Tatar, a professional backpacker and tour guide renowned in the industry.
Following a moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aytemis Depci delivered the opening speech. She explained the purpose of the Travel Club, stating, “We established this club to prepare our Tourism Guidance students for their careers, encourage socialization, and organize trips to the historical and touristic sites of our country. I have participated in tours across Turkey, from Cappadocia to many other regions, in English, Japanese, and Turkish. I wanted to share my experiences and bring learning opportunities beyond the campus. In this context, I invited my colleague, Oğulcan Tatar, to join us here at ISTE. I believe this will be an insightful and rewarding event.”
Oğulcan Tatar, who began exploring the world as a backpacker during his high school years and later turned his passion into a career as a professional tour guide, shared his journey with the audience. Discussing his experiences traveling to various countries, Tatar emphasized that stepping out of one’s comfort zone is essential for learning and personal growth. Despite graduating from a different field of study, he shared how he found his true calling in tourism and highlighted the importance of self-confidence in pursuing one’s passions.
Tatar also offered valuable advice to students on building their careers in tourism, sharing insights from his professional experiences. The event, which drew significant interest from attendees, concluded with a Q&A session and a presentation of a certificate of appreciation to Oğulcan Tatar by Acting Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, Prof. Dr. Yakup Kutlu.
ISTE Rector Prof. Dr. Tolga Depci expressed his satisfaction with providing students not only technical resources but also opportunities for social and personal development. He stated, “We continue to connect our students with experts in their fields. Everything we do is for the future of our students, who are the guarantee of our tomorrow. I extend my gratitude to all the faculty members and the ISTE Travel Club for their efforts and wish Mr. Oğulcan Tatar continued success in his professional journey.”
