Graduating this spring with a Bachelor of Science in international history, Asya Eksioglu (SFS’25) has cultivated a deep intellectual curiosity and a global perspective through her studies, enriching extracurricular activities and immersive international experiences.
Influential mentorship and inspirational courses
Born and raised in Istanbul, Türkiye, her time at Georgetown is marked by a passion for history and international development, particularly energy development, which she pursued through a minor in Global Development Studies.
Professor Gabor Agoston influenced Eksioglu’s academic trajectory, and she calls his impact on her growth “transformative.” His courses, particularly Pirates, Soldiers & Diplomats, featured engaging discussions and fueled her enthusiasm for historical inquiry: “He was one of my motivators when choosing international history as a major. His vision…made me excited for his courses and ready to learn and write about history.”
Another influential course for Eksioglu was Chinese Philosophy, taught by Professor Erin Cline. She credits the class with changing her perspective on the subject. “We talked about the applications of philosophy in the lives of the practitioners of the time, but also focused on how we could incorporate Chinese Philosophy into our lives today.”
Eksioglu studied abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, in the fall of her junior year. The experience not only significantly enhanced her Korean language proficiency, but also allowed her to become deeply immersed in East Asian culture and history.
Leadership and community engagement
On campus, Eksioglu took on leadership roles in student organizations including as director of engagement for Students of Georgetown, Inc., also known as The Corp. Eksioglu led partnership development and event planning, contributing strategically to the organization’s growth. She was an active member of both the board and Corp Upper Management, regularly participating in strategic operational discussions.
Additionally, she served as president of the Georgetown University Eating Society for which she organized unique culinary events featuring local restaurants, connecting students with local chefs and cuisines. She also gained experience managing budgets as a commissioner for the Student Activities Commission, supporting numerous student organizations.
Eksioglu used her language skills to serve as a Turkish teaching assistant, facilitating language and cultural exchanges among students.
Professional development and research
Outside Georgetown, Eksioglu engaged in meaningful professional experiences aligned with her academic interests. She was an accounting intern at Cantas Sogutma, an energy and cooling company based in Istanbul. Additionally, at the Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Research (EDAM), she conducted literary reviews on contemporary political issues and participated in international panels.
This year Eksioglu shadowed managers at Iltekno, a prominent engineering and construction company in Istanbul. This experience allowed her to closely observe the planning and engineering processes involved in solar and power plant projects, deepening her practical understanding of energy infrastructure development.
Reflecting and looking ahead
Initially uncertain about her career path, attending a talk by Georgetown alumna and author R.F. Kuang (SFS’18) encouraged Eksioglu to more fully embrace her passion for history. She explains, “That was the final push I needed to switch back to international history, and immediately after leaving [the talk], I submitted the major change form.”
Looking ahead, post-graduation, Eksioglu remains dedicated to continual intellectual growth, inspired by her transformative Georgetown experiences: “I don’t think I’ll ever be surrounded by as many intellectual, like-minded, enthusiastic people as I have been at Georgetown,” Eksioglu says. “The people around me have been my inspiration, and constantly meeting new and different personalities has pushed me to evolve into better versions of myself.”