When it comes to being Network Commissioner, it helps a lot if you are curious about other countries and cultures. Kutay Kaya definitely has this: the favourite city of this AEGEE-Eskisehir member is Dublin and he is very intrigued about Scandinavia. “I like cold weather a lot”, says Kutay. At the upcoming Agora in Bucharest he will be one of six candidates, who are running for the six places in the Network Commission.
GT: Where would you be now if you hadn’t joined AEGEE?
Kutay Kaya: I have always wanted to spend my university life active, so most probably I would be working in a different position in another student organization.
GT: How did you join AEGEE exactly? How did you find out about it?
Kutay: I first came across with AEGEE in the university at the introduction week, I went to the table in order to get more information and then the journey started.
GT: How long did it take you from the first moment until you signed the membership form and joined AEGEE?
Kutay: Just after I participated my first common meeting I was sure that I should be a member. So we can say two hours.
GT: What’s the typical drink & food you bring to European Nights?
Kutay: Turkish Delight, Rakı and Helva.
GT: At an AEGEE party where will we find you? On the dancefloor? Talking at the bar?
Kutay: I can’t say that I am good at dancing, so probably at the bar, talking with people.
GT: What was your first position in the local board?
Kutay: External Relations Manager.
GT: What was your favourite event as organiser – and why is it your favourite?
Kutay: I can say that it was the Agora Pre-Event in Eskişehir for different reasons. Firstly, it was my first event as an organiser so it was special and I learned a lot. Secondly both my teammates and participants were amazing! I hope that I can find myself in an event with such nice people again.
GT: What was your first Agora and how did you feel there? Happy, excited, overwhelmed, lost?
Kutay: Agora Kraków was my first Agora. To be honest I felt really amazed. I heard a lot about the Agora beforehand, but still – being there was something different. I didn’t expect it to be so organised and meeting with so many great people was amazing. After Krakow I was sure that I will be in AEGEE for a while.
GT: Have you ever hichhiked to an AEGEE event? If not: why not? If yes: how many times?
Kutay: I wanted to hitchhike a lot before EPM İzmir with my friends, we were talking about it a lot so it was even planned, but in the last minute I had to go to İzmir a couple of days before the EPM so I couldn’t; but I am sure that I will do it some day.
GT: Do you like cooking and what’s your favourite dish you like to cook?
Kutay: Although I am not a good cook I can say that I like it. I am a beginner but a passionate one. As I like tuna a lot I will go for pasta with tuna.
GT: What’s never missing in your fridge?
Kutay: Short, sad but also a funny story: we don’t have a fridge in our house. I have two housemates and usually we are not at home, so I guess we think that it is not necessary. We never discussed it properly but after this question for sure I will do it. In general I can say that strawberry yogurt is something I always have.
GT: What do your parents think about the idea that you are so active in AEGEE?
Kutay: They are aware of AEGEE’s contributions to me and our work in general, so they have never lacked their support since I joined AEGEE.
GT: In a typology of members there are the three aspects fun member, career member and idealist – to which percentage are you which of these aspects?
Kutay: For me it depends, I adapt myself according to the situation. Work and fun time is different so I can say that I am balanced.
GT: What other hobbies do you have aside from AEGEE?
Kutay: I do scuba-diving and I am interested in history in general, in my free times I love searching about different events or mythologies.
GT: Did you consider joining a political party or maybe want to do it later?
Kutay: To be honest I have never been good with politics, so I have never had such a thought. I also don’t think that I will ever have it.
GT: What do you study – and why?
Kutay: I study English Language Teaching. I have always been interested in foreign languages since I was young and at the same time I chose this section because I believe that it would be beneficial for me to learn the proper ways to teach people something, especially a foreign language.
GT: What’s your dream job?
Kutay: I always wanted be a translator, I still want it. I studied different languages throughout my education life and for me discovering new languages and cultures is a wonderful joy.
GT: What’s the favourite city or place on this planet you ever visited?
Kutay: I have to say Dublin, I was there four years ago but I still remember it very well. The city fascinated me with its nature and architecture. Definitely at the top of my “I have to visit again” list.
GT: And where would you really like to go?
Kutay: I have never been to Denmark before but I really want to go there at some point. I like cold weather a lot and I am really wondering about Scandinavian culture.
GT: What’s your biggest frustration in AEGEE?
Kutay: I can’t say that I had a big frustration in AEGEE, but last year I really wanted to attend EPM Yerevan and in the end I couldn’t unfortunately. It will always stay somewhere deep inside me.
GT: Please complete the sentence: “AEGEE is for me…”
Kutay: AEGEE is for me a place where all the young people can learn and develop themselves on different topics and build a better future for everyone together.
GT: How would you describe yourself in a few keywords?
Kutay: Friendly, realistic and curious.
