Welcome to my very first Futurewise newsletter, where we will discuss the intersections of people, technology, and everything in between. You can learn more about me and what I do here.
The beginning of a new year is a landmark for many of us to check in with ourselves. This coming February will be two years since I started living in Dubai. I see milestones as opportunities—not only for celebration (which is, in itself, important), but also for reflection.
Settling in another country is not easy, but it comes with major benefits – it increases your adaptation and resilience skills, and according to the American Psychological Association, can boost your memory during the time of the relocation. Feeling lonely is quite normal in the beginning, but seeing the positives and embracing the opportunities is key. Meeting like minded people from all over the world and learning new cultures are what I enjoy most, and moving to Dubai provided me with plenty of opportunities.
A new role and a new country to live in. It’s been a time for big changes!
Before I moved to Dubai, I worked in Human Resources at DHL, Groupama Insurance and Pension, Zurich Insurance Group. I was a consultant at one point in Management Center Turkey, and an Academician at Bilkent University. I came to my HR work with years of academia behind me, having studied adult development, educational psychology, and sociology. This knowledge has been an asset in my HR career.
Outside of work, I strive for a well-rounded life. My hobbies are important to me, and I find that enjoying one’s own company helps a lot in adapting to the changes that life brings. My primary hobbies are exercise and writing - two different expressions that are equally fulfilling and productive. I wake up at 6am for pilates, yoga, boxing or tennis every morning, which provides me with good health. I love to write - it provides me with so much freedom, allowing my mind to go any place it wants with no restrictions. I see both reading and writing as ways to contemplate the lives of others and find meaning in my own.
And this is why I decided to launch my LinkedIn Newsletter. I wanted a platform to discuss different perspectives, and all of the intersecting ideas we’re seeing in the world today. With constantly evolving technology, shifting definitions for what it means to be a “good” leader, the emergence of a new generation of workforce, discussions about identity in the workplace, and so many more conversations everywhere you look. I wanted a space to gather and discuss these topics together.
What is most exciting to you, futurewise and workwise? Please hit subscribe, and let’s keep the conversation going.