Student Experiences

Participating in the Program for Undergraduate Research (PURE) in Istanbul, Turkey, marked a significant milestone in my academic journey. As a student from the Institute of Space Technology in Islamabad, Pakistan, this opportunity was not only my first international exchange but also a transformative experience. Engaging in research on surgical robotics under the guidance of Professor Dr. Meltem Elitaş was both challenging and rewarding. The research has laid the foundation for me to work further on my final year project back at my university.
The PURE program provided me with a conducive environment to immerse myself in cutting-edge research and expand my knowledge horizons. Through hands-on experience in labs and mentorship, I gained valuable insights into the field of surgical robotics, which is particularly relevant given the dearth of research and development opportunities in Pakistan.
Moreover, the multicultural setting of Istanbul enriched my experience, allowing me to forge friendships with fellow participants from diverse backgrounds. This global network of peers has not only broadened my perspective but also laid the foundation for potential collaborations in the future. Moreover, I really enjoyed the Turkish food and became fond of döner? kebabs and iskender.
Overall, my PURE term in Istanbul instilled in me a profound appreciation for research and innovation, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to delve deeper into this field in the future.

One of the most significant experiences of my life is the internship at PURE. Working in a lab and developing my project management skills was highly beneficial for me as an aspiring scientist. It was a major experience for me to familiarize myself with the research methodologies, design experiments, and present the results all on my own. It was a great chance to be accepted to PURE in the first year of my undergraduate studies and to improve my research skills throughout the internship. I also observed experiments related to other projects of the group. PURE not only focused on research, but also provided an opportunity to meet colleagues and accomplished professors in their fields and learn about their experiences. I believe that this opportunity enhanced my research skills greatly, and I am sure that the connections I have made will last a lifetime. I would like to thank my teachers and PURE for their contributions.

PURE, which has been one of the most extraordinary and transformative experiences of my life, has had an immense impact on me. Through the project "The Poisonous Gown in Popular Culture," in which I had the opportunity to study, I delved into the captivating world of the "Poisonous Gown" motif, conducting research, analyzing TV shows and social media, and collaborating with fellow researchers. This experience not only deepened my understanding of historical motifs but also allowed me to contribute to a research paper for an international conference.
Under the guidance of my supportive supervisor, Zeynep Nevin Yelçe, I experienced significant personal and professional growth. The collaborative and dedicated nature of our team fostered a mutually beneficial learning environment.
Beyond academics, the PURE program facilitated meaningful connections and friendships with participants from diverse backgrounds, creating lasting memories. Overall, PURE and my involvement in the project have broadened my knowledge, honed my research skills, and connected me with a vibrant interdisciplinary community, shaping my future endeavors.
Thank you, PURE.

I believe PURE provides such a remarkable chance to prove oneself able in the field of doing research. I observed it as a career boosting program, especially for those who would like to continue with their academic life. Being in touch with professors who guide me to get an insight on the field I am so eager to study on was an experience that is hard to replace with anything else. Therefore, I strongly advise anyone who is thinking about whether to participate in PURE to seize the opportunity.

What is more important in science than learning theory is being able to put your knowledge into practice. This is why PURE was exactly what I was looking for as a student in the field of bioscience.
The laboratories of Sabancı University are extremely well-equipped. As a PURE intern, I was allowed to use a lot of equipment that I had never had a chance to work with before. Every day was a new challenge, and I learned how I could overcome these challenges as a scientist. By the end of my internship, I had already learned dozens of new skills in the field, developed an idea of how independent research is conducted, and improved my abilities to work in a team.
I also made a lot of meaningful friendships during my time on campus that continue to be a part of my life to this day. I highly appreciate what this program has added to my life and believe this is a type of experience that every student must experience at least once.

As a future statistician, PURE was a great experience for me, especially as a freshman. I have seen through my experience how meaningful results my professional field can produce in social sciences. Now, I look at my career from a more conscious perspective and I want to push the boundries of my major. PURE is a great opportunity to get to know yourself and your potential very early. I would like to thank to PURE team for the research ecosystem they created for us.
 

I had an amazing time working on two special projects during my PURE terms. The first one was about quantum tunnelling, in which I delved into the fascinating realm of quantum physics. This project made me curious and excited about learning more.

The second project was about creating Surgical Tools by using AI. It felt great to think that the work I was doing could help doctors during surgeries and even save lives someday. This project showed me how important it is to keep improving the tools we use to take care of each other.

Both projects at Sabancı University were not just schoolwork. They were adventures that showed me how fun and important learning can be. They made me want to keep exploring and finding new ways to help people through science.

PURE Program benefited me in more ways than I could have imagined. First of all, as a student, I was very much interested in the field of social sciences. I got the first-hand experience in how research in this field is to be done, having become part of a team of hardworking students under the guidance of our amicable professor at Sabancı University. The research was not a ‘quasi-research’ to teach us the ropes. We got to work with raw materials recently discovered by our professor. The data for the project had not been seen by anyone else in the world except for us, which holds great potential for further research and publications as they were multi-disciplinary. I also quite enjoyed my time on the university campus and made some lasting connections with both professors and students alike. I am glad to have been a part of the Program, and would earnestly urge students from all kinds of fields and universities to apply for a research program that fits their interests; there is undoubtedly much that they will gain in return.

I think the best way to learn is to pursue a problem. I see this as a kind of detective process. The fact that there are professionals who guide you through your research saves you from your prejudices and educates you on how to address a hypothesis academically. The PURE project contributed a lot to me in discovering my interests and gaining academic research skills. The PURE project that I involved in was helped me learn methodologies in history that I didn't know before and that you probably wouldn't learn in regular courses. I learnt how I could move away from information provided merely by books and articles, evaluate different interpretations, and incorporate primary sources into our research. The PURE process was not limited to the summer, it became a long-term study that went all the way to the Netherlands. I also met new friends from different universities and different fields. I also learned a lot from them about the disciplines they study in. What attracted me most was attention of professors and the importance they attached to my ideas. The satisfaction I got from this situation was priceless.