Faces of FIUTS: Meet Gurdal

Faces of FIUTS is a new campaign that collects personal stories from individuals who are part of our work. This week, meet Gurdal!

Where are you from?

I am originally from Istanbul but spent the last 5 years in the States, travelling for work. Lived in New Jersey (2 years) and Northwest Arkansas (3 years) before I moved back to Seattle with my family in June this year. I consider Seattle to be home right now.

What's your FIUTS story? 

I got involved with FIUTS from Day 1 of my UW experience, with FIUTS arranging my temporary accommodation with a FIUTS alum, who still happens to be one of my best friends in the world. Joined several FIUTS activities like historic downtown tour, Vancouver trip, international welcome camp, and my favorite College Inn Wednesdays! FIUTS has made my UW experience so much more colorful in many ways. Connections I have built there are still an important part of my life.

How will you change the world?

I have spent 12 years in Consumer Good Industry giants, like P&G and RB and moving my career direction to Pharmaceutical Industry with my next challenge. My wife has started her own business You've Got Maids of Seattle, a professional maid services company. We would like to be an inspiration to other international FIUTS members to pursue their American Dream and hopefully help them along the way.

---

Gurdal was a FIUTS Facilitator during the years 2005-2006. He was an MBA exchange student at the UW Foster School of Business. After returning to Turkey he led the FIUTS Abroad Team in Turkey, supporting students from Turkey to get ready for their UW and Seattle experiences.

Faces of FIUTS is published every two weeks on the FIUTS blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Read past posts collected here!

Interested in being featured as a Face of FIUTS? Contact Ellen Frierson at ellen@fiuts.org.