Interview – Damla Kolluoglu
At the graduation ceremony of Caweb and TCLOC graduates, organized by the Strasbourg student association CAWEB, we learned a bit more about our fellow graduates. We are going to dedicate these lines to Damla Kolluoglu, a Caweb student who launched her professional career in Paris. Interview with Damla Kolluoglu, a young Turkish woman who will soon celebrate her 30th birthday in Paris.
What is your favorite Alsatian dish and what drink do you drink with it?
I love Alsatian tarte flambée accompanied by a good fresh local beer. I also like Alsatian wine very much to accompany a tarte flambée tasting on a terrace on the cobbled streets of Strasbourg. A perfect day in Strasbourg.
What is your favorite place in Strasbourg?
I spent the majority of my time at the Esplanade at the campus of the University of Strasbourg. The bar where I spent most of my time in Strasbourg is not far from the campus, it’s Wawa. Wawa bar is a vintage decor, with a terrace, the presence of a pétanque strip, and a musical atmosphere with of course a brasserie menu. I had a bike in Strasbourg that allowed me to stroll around the whole city. It was also the first time that I used the bike daily for my rides. The city of Strasbourg lends itself perfectly, I’m still looking for the same experience in Paris but it seems more complicated.
Why CAWEB Master? What characteristics have hooked you?
I graduated from Marmara University with a degree in French translation and interpretation. I changed my career path for 6 months in a training in digital marketing and communication. The embodiment of this perfect combination of translation and digital was the Master CAWEB which ticks all the boxes.
I have evolved even personally through this master’s, I have become familiar with the use of smartphones and the use of social networks. I like to communicate with people and digital allows me to do it internationally. This master’s introduced me to graphic design and SEO too which helped me during my apprenticeship.
What did you do as an apprenticeship?
I did my apprenticeship at Mybest pro, a company that offers a matchmaking service with experts in the field of well-being. They manage several web sites with various themes. They also wanted to offer their services in the Turkish market. It was at that point that I stepped in and became the localization manager of their services in Turkey.
What is your current post?
At the end of my work-study contract, they offered me a permanent position. The project has proven itself well and they want to expand into the Turkish market. I continue in this project which is feminist oriented and I find myself perfectly in it.
In my current position, community manager, I use the French library which is already available and offers many articles on several topics and I am responsible of localization. Beforehand, I made a study of the Turkish market based on their needs and also the competition. I also write the articles myself and I manage the publication schedule of the site wengood.com. I am also responsible for social media, we have a Pinterest account but also Spotify so the nature of the content is very varied. I had a lot of responsibilities since I was the only one responsible for the website of the Turkish market. It was an impressive workload at first but that’s what eventually allowed me to get my permanent contract.
What is your best CAWEB student night?
The study program was really busy and so on Wednesday evening we finished earlier and went to the Wawa bar for a drink before walking around petite France on our way home. Moreover, when there is a fog that covers the city in the evening it gives me the impression to be in a magic world. A magical feeling that I can’t find be found in any other city.
What is your unforgettable moment during the master’s?
My most unforgettable moment was the day I finished my thesis defense and handed in my report after a busy apprenticeship. The satisfaction of having completed this journey that was not easy.
Even today, with the graduation ceremony. We were treated to a magnificent day where we meet the former comrades and the academic staff.
Who was your sidekick /best friend during your master’s degree?
My friends during my master’s degree, they are the ones who made my Strasbourg years. I am happy to have a chance to meet Ukrainian, Romanian, Colombian, Chinese, and Indonesian friends. We have formed a very close-knit group of international best friends. Today I have friends all over the world.
Have you traveled with other students? If so, where and tell us more.
I traveled virtually with my friends in the Vosges. The second half of my first year was interrupted by COVID-19 and a simple visit for a few days in Turkey extended to the rest of the year. So I was on a video call with my group of friends who went to the Vosges to relax in a beautiful Airbnb. I don’t know if a virtual trip can count as a real trip.
What were the difficulties you had to face during your master’s degree?
The pandemic didn’t make it easier for me. So I was forced to find a remote apprenticeship. It was not easy to apply and pass the interviews online etc.
Your suggestions so that we can better help the next caweb students to orient themselves and succeed in their journey?
I think solidarity and friendship help not only the integration but also revisions and exams. The program is really busy and it is the bounds that save you and allow you to continue. Also, the self-training and autonomous learning part that Madame De la Paix keeps repeating are essential for development. I can’t believe I am saying this but, Madame De la Paix was right. You have to believe in yourself and in your ability to train yourself.
What are your future plans?
I continue my current job because this project means a lot to me. I want to see it grow. It is even more difficult for foreigners to find a job in France. The field of community management was not my first choice in terms of work-study but I had to validate my year. It is important to find an apprenticeship in the field you want because it can guide your career in the future.
In the future, I plan to stay in France but then I see myself living in another country in Europe. Amsterdam seems to be a good destination in the future.