Atakan Dizarlar studies ‘Economics and Philosophy’ (ReMA) at Erasmus School of Philosophy with a scholarship from Erasmus Trustfonds. In his area of interest, the intersection between economics and philosophy, his programme is among the best in the world.
'Internationally, there are only five or six like it.' Atakan tells us. 'But finding the necessary financial coverage to study here is difficult, especially for students from outside the EU.'
'If it weren’t for my scholarship, I wouldn’t be here. It supports me financially and enables me to afford housing, hobbies and other living expenses. I can even go bouldering now, which was not so easy to do due to lack of available climbing gyms in Ankara, where I’m from.'
When we use data, most of the time we don’t really question how and where it is formed
Quantitative analysis
On his studies, Atakan explains: 'I feel like I am more curious about evaluating or trying to assess the economic knowledge that is produced, rather than directly producing economic knowledge. After my master’s I would like to pursue a PhD here. I’m very interested in the formulation of data since it is the building block of every quantitative analysis.'
'In our current world, we rely on data and data sciences to measure almost all aspects of life. But when we use data, most of the time we don’t really question how and where it is formed. To generate data and economic models, there are many value judgments and decisions that researchers have to make. How do we construct our datasets? What kind of datasets should we really want or try to achieve? How can we improve our current existing datasets? These questions all apply, for example, to things like unemployment rates or other governmental issues. If I can manage to produce important methodological research in that area, I believe I can make a positive impact.'
If I can manage to produce important methodological research in that area, I believe I can make a positive impact.
Opportunities
This could never have happened without his scholarship, Atakan believes: 'By making a donation, people are enabling me to do this. This scholarship allows me to take an important academic step by giving me the opportunity to live in another country, to take part in a diverse student environment and a philosophical community in a great university that helps me to grow intellectually.'
'My parents support me in this pursuit. Even though they would have preferred me to stay closer to them, so we may see each other more often. But they also want to see me grow and develop and succeed in my studies here.'
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Do you also want to help fund scholarships for talented students like Atakan? Support one or more participants of the Erasmus Charity Run via this link.