Student Focus

Ecem is a great girl who views life as something that is quite easy to live. With a lot of support and some time, she knows that anything she wants to do will be quite simple.

Introducing the very focused yet very laid back Ecem!


Full Name: Ecem Şenyuva

What does your name mean?: My queen –Ece means queen – so Ecem means my queen.

Why did your parents name you this?: My mom decided to name her first daughter Nazlı, but I didn’t have a name for 2 weeks. I don't know why.

Place of Birth: İstanbul – Cerrahpasa Tip Fakultesi

Why were you born here?: My mom used to work there, so the doctors were her friends, so it was good she knew the doctors.

Age: 15 yrs

Have you always lived in Istanbul: Yes, but I have moved like 8 times because of school and my mom’s and dad’s job. My mom is a general surgeon and my dad is a plastic surgeon professor. He goes to the University twice a week.

What hobbies do you have?: I have played basketball since third grade. I played piano. I have done SCUBA and windsurfing.

Where do you want to go to school: I came to Koç because I want to go to University in the US. My sister goes to Princeton. She is studying biomedical engineering.

What do you want to study?: I don’t know, but if I try to be a doctor it will be so easy. Sometimes I still want to be a star in Hollywood. (laughs) That is kind of like every girl’s dream.


Brothers or sisters?: I have one sister and she is 18yrs old. No brothers. Only her. I am alone right now. She is my best friend in the whole world and the greatest person I ever met. She will come back home in December and then I will go visit her in February.

Embarrassing moment: We used to go to extra courses for HS after school to prepared for HS. It was the graduation party of that course and before we were given the certificates, they were announcing our names they would have a sort of an introduction. So for mine, the teacher said nice things and I thought it was me and went to the stage and then it turned out that it was someone else and I was standing on the stage.

Favorite movie: I have four actually: Children of Men, The Devil Wears Prada, Atonement and Gladiator.

World’s worst problem: War, Global Warming, and Education

Something people would be surprised to know about you: When I am in places that I am not familiar with I am so shy, but when I get used it I am the real Ecem. It has taken a month and a half here I guess. It depends on the students and the teachers of course.

Who is your hero?: Our leader Ataturk and my mom. I know everything about Ataturk, like how he saved us, and still we feel how he affected us and we try to protect him. My mom because she taught me everything I learned and “Made me who I am today.”

Biggest decision you are thinking about right now: Being in the IB program and going to University.

One word that describes you: I love sharing. Maybe “outgoing.”