Yasin Demirhan, a 23-year-old Irwin Cotler Fellow for 2024-2025 from Türkiye, received his bachelor's degree in psychology from TED University in Ankara in 2023. He arrived in Israel to join the Security and Diplomacy program eager to bridge knowledge across cultures and advance his research in the security and diplomatic fields with a particular focus on their psychological aspects. My favorite food so far has definitely been shawarma; the combination of meat with hummus and tahini is incredibly flavorful.

Yasin’s journey to Israel wasn’t easy in light of the strained relations between Türkiye and Israel presently, but his arrival marked the beginning of a long-held dream. In his first weeks, he explored Israel’s northern cities, including Haifa and Akko, where he felt an immediate connection to the country’s rich and complex history. In Haifa, he enjoyed a long walk around the city and a visit to the world-famous Bahai Gardens. Though the gardens were closed, he still was able to see the beautiful landscapes. After Haifa, he, together with Antonio Peña (Irwin Cotler Fellow 2024-2025), traveled to Akko, curious about the city and its current security situation. While chatting with some locals in a café over Turkish coffee - which was quite different and not as good as what he knows from home - sirens went off, and they rushed to a nearby shelter. Despite the initial shock and not having as much time to reach shelter as in Tel Aviv, Yasin was not discouraged by the situation, expressing that he feels very safe in Israel.

What Yasin didn’t expect was how quickly he would feel at home, surrounded by people from all over the world. Together with Sam Morris (Irwin Colter Fellow 2024-2025 from Australia) and Antonio, Yasin experienced his first shawarma in Israel at a well-known restaurant in Tel Aviv. It was unlike anything he had had in Turkey, where they usually eat with yogurt rather than hummus, which made all the difference for him. The night was full of new friends, tasty food, and interesting stories, making for an unforgettable evening.

He has been amazed by the openness and inclusivity of those he met, each person bringing their unique background and perspective to conversations that felt as vibrant as they were enlightening.  Yasin connected with a Turkish-Jewish girl from Istanbul who currently lives in Tel Aviv. When they met, they spoke about their experiences and current events. She shared her experience about being in Israel on October 7 and returning to Türkiye for a brief period over safety concerns. She also shared her experiences with religion and culture in Israel and Turkey, which made an impression on Yasin. What stood out the most, however, was how quickly he felt at home, not just with her, but with Israelis and in Israel. Yasin has not felt out of place here and believes Turks and Israelis share so many similarities.

Looking ahead, Yasin envisions the Cotler Fellowship as a stepping stone toward meaningful contributions in international affairs. His goal is to bring these insights back to Türkiye and work towards fostering greater understanding between nations. For Yasin, this time in Israel is about much more than academics—it’s about building lasting connections that resonate far beyond borders.