Finding My Place

ThePREP Experience

FINDING MY PLACE

by Nehir Baser (class of 2023)

Nehir in front of the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey

I’m grateful to have a school that not only helps me grow academically, but also as a human being. I’ve gained a wider perspective here and realized the power of my voice. ❞

For me, Jackson Prep is where I began a journey of self-discovery. As the only Turkish student in an 800+-member student body, I had to find my place: you can either be lost or you can be yourself. When I arrived in 9th grade, I had very low expectations of the place, the teachers, and the students. I guess I was prejudiced; I saw myself eating lunch alone in a bathroom stall and going home every night with no friends. But this place surprised me, and then it won me over.

Prep is a magical place! I make friends easily and also actually enjoy classes. Sometimes my friends from Turkey call me to say that they Googled the school. They are jealous I have such an amazing campus that provides its students with freedom. Each day I lunch outside and get to see little squirrels running around, and I am grateful to be here.

Over two years, I’ve found friends for life. One of them is Megan Tang. We bonded instantly over being new students who are international. Talking about Turkey was fun, but it was also interesting to hear her talk about China. We love pushing each other to do our best, so last year we made a bet that whoever had the lower grade in English and math at the end of the year would buy the other person ice cream. We still have not gone for ice cream.

I also found what I like doing and which classes are my favorites. This might sound weird to some, but I really enjoy my classes. Subjects that I get to choose are a lot more fun to learn. Prep has so many options, and I want to do all of them. I want to take theatre, coding, painting, psychology, pottery, and more. Having this many options is new to me. I am accustomed to being handed a schedule completely set up and without my say (another thing my friends from Turkey are jealous about).

Last year I took Civil Rights. Mrs. Griffin has been an amazing teacher and role model to me; she is very understanding and helpful. I am now in her AP English class. Prep’s efforts to diversify the school make me proud to be a student. The school shows that it cares by the resources it offers students to be successful. I love and appreciate all of my teachers; they really make Prep a special place for me and for other students.

I’m grateful to have a school that not only helps me grow academically, but also as a human being. I’ve gained a wider perspective here and realized the power of my voice. If it were not for teachers and friends, I would not have realized who I want to be in the future. No matter what happens, I will be ready for it thanks to Prep.