Cansin Giray

I was born in Ankara, Turkiye. I have been studying American Culture and Literature - Gender Studies for almost 20 years. I have completed my Bachelor's Degree and MA' in Hacettepe University and have been teaching IB MYP/DP English; and IGCSE Language A since 2010.

Teaching the younger generation how to think freely, independently and express themselves without being afraid of any barriers.

As I have written in my MA thesis, I believe gender roles are socially constructed concepts, acting as control mechanisms in society just like Michel Foucault's "Panopticon" where people are imprisoned and constantly being watched, therefore unable to identify and fight against their oppressors.

Education, Literature

Surviving in academia is less about brilliance and more about endurance. When I began graduate school, I was fueled by excitement and curiosity, ready to contribute to knowledge in meaningful ways. But the reality hit hard—intellectual sparring in seminars, red-inked drafts, and conference feedback that questioned the very point of my work. The pressures of publishing, teaching, and meeting endless expectations felt overwhelming, and no one taught me how to navigate the inevitable setbacks. My lowest moments left me questioning my worth and my place in academia. Over time, I learned that resilience was my greatest asset. I built a support system of colleagues who didn’t just critique but uplifted me, set boundaries to preserve my well-being, and celebrated small wins along the way. Most importantly, I reframed the narrative: it wasn’t about whether I was good enough for academia, but whether academia was good enough for me. By shifting my focus from perfection to persistence and valuing curiosity over metrics, I discovered that success in academia isn’t about conquering it—it’s about surviving with your passion intact. In the end, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and it’s okay to stumble, rest, and rethink the path, as long as you remember why you started the journey.

Playing the flute professionally.