Dr. Harun AKYOL

A Real Life and Success Story:

I was born in 1976 in İskenderun, Hatay. I completed my primary and secondary education in Iskenderun and my higher education in Istanbul University, Faculty of Political Sciences, Department of International Relations. In contrast to many of my schoolfellows, I had the dream to be an academic educator and went to London for my master’s degree with my own efforts and research. I completed my master’s degree at SOAS, one of the world’s leading schools in Middle East politics and international relations theory. After completing my Master’s studies, with my own efforts, I applied to Oxford University St Antony’s College for PhD, and I got accepted. In the unfortunate period known as the “Constitution Booklet Crisis”, unfortunately, could not find any scholarships from state foundations, private foundations and institutions. In 2002, due to financial difficulties, I had to waive my registration right. This misfortune experience has not intimidated me, but rather it whipped me up. After a busy job search period, I started my academic career at Suffolk College as an instructor in A Level Sociology and Political Science. While working as a College instructor, I searched for alternative occupations to improve my financial situation and to finance me during my PhD studies. Finally I decided to be a plumber. Since plumbers and electricians are at the top of the income distribution table in the UK. I went on two years of evening courses and got my City & Guilds Level 2 Plumbing certificate and started doing part time plumbing besides being an instructor at the university. Not surprisingly, soon after I paid al my depts, and saved enough money for the PhD expenses. I completed my Ph.D. in political science at the University of Essex (post-structuralist discourse theory and post-marxism) which is a well know university in political science. While working as a senior lecturer at West Suffolk College in 2009, I was appointed as an academic advisor to the admissions committee where the applicants were evaluated. This was an important milestone in my career. As a student, academician, and admission committee member I obtained a wide range of experiences which are massively contributing my career as an academic advisor for abroad/international education. At the end of 2014, I returned to Turkey to contribute people seeking professional education by sharing my expertise. I set up my own company “Aim Higher” which is an academic preparation and admission Counselor for International Universities. I also provide highly specialized consultancy service for High schools seeking to become an IB World School. We are located in a precious city named Antalya, the 5th largest city of Turkey.