Building the American dream anywhere: an interview with Ceren Cubukcu Cerasi
September 15, 2022
Ceren Cubukcu Cerasi is an award-winning researcher, entrepreneur and author of Make Your American Dream A Reality.
VIVACE: Can you tell us about your book, Make Your American Dream A Reality? What was the inspiration for it?
I first moved to the United States from Turkey as a university student. Because I spent my last year of university there, I was able to apply for jobs. I spent a year working and then decided to continue my studies with an MBA, and then found a job I really liked.
I started getting questions and requests from friends and through LinkedIn. So many people were curious about how I managed to find a job in the United States. I would explain a bit to each person, but it was difficult to give the full understanding of the U.S. system and approach through conversation only.
How can you explain to someone how to find a job in the U.S. if you don't know the system? There are so many differences; even the vocabulary is different! It was too hard to explain one-on-one each time. So I decided to prepare a guidebook. It only took me a few days to write. It then became the starting point for any discussion about moving to the United States. For me, it’s a way to put tools in the hands of people that need them.
VIVACE: What is the most important advice for someone who wants to live the American dream?
You really need to learn the system in the country. You need to learn how Americans think and then act accordingly. It's important to observe the culture in a country and show that you can understand and apply it, while also showing that you are different and unique. It’s important to find a way to fit it and integrate without losing your true colors or sense of self!
As a university professor, I usually tell my students to look into work and travel programs in the summertime. There are also summer internships and scholarships for students with good grades. Working part time while at school is also a great way to get a job. There is a high demand for students with a strong backgrounds in STEM subjects, so that is definitely worth looking into.
VIVACE: What do you think are the advantages of the American dream?
Everyone's dream is different. My dream involved learning a different culture and living outside of my own country. I got that in America, but it could have also been another country, such as Italy. It’s not necessarily the “American” part of the dream that is important, but rather living in another country. I had friends who found it difficult to adjust to life in the States. Others stayed their whole lives. I stayed seven years. Every country has their own rules, systems and culture. It’s important to find one that you can adjust to, which obviously depends on each individual.
VIVACE: After many years living in the United States, how was it coming back to Turkey?
That's a great question. I needed six months of adjustment, and even had to get used to speaking Turkish again! Also, the pace in Istanbul is also very different. In America, I lived in Boston, which is much more of a college town with a slower pace. I had to readjust to the way of life here, which is faster and more cosmopolitan.
VIVACE: What did living in a different culture teach you about yourself and about your own culture?
It helped find myself and my character. It also helped me find my boundaries and what I am capable of. I learned a different point of view by meeting so many different people. It also gave me a broader way of looking at things, and made me feel comfortable talking with other people in different cultures. Today, I can go to any country and start a conversation more comfortably. It gave me confidence and helped me be okay stepping outside of my comfort zone, which is where a lot of personal growth happens. I always encourage my university students to go abroad if they can – whether it’s through Erasmus, internships, summer school or language schools.
VIVACE: What made you decide that you were ready to go back to Turkey?
About 80% of my friends went back. As for others, some stayed more than ten years, and told me it was very difficult to return. I think that if you stay for more than five to ten years, you have to ask yourself if you are ready to start over again, where you might experience reverse culture shock.
As for me, I was ready to start my own company, but it was too difficult for me in the United States to manage that must living expenses. In Turkey, I had better resources to help get my business off the ground. Plus, my roots are here; I feel like I belong here. For me, America was a great experience that taught me what I am capable of. And now I am happy to bring that back to my home country!
VIVACE: Do you think it's possible for people who have lived in the United States for a long time, even several generations, to take the best of the American values and mentality and bring that back to their home country?
Yes, definitely. As a university professor, I try to bring the best of the system here as well. For example, I ask my students to do midterm and final exams, plus projects, presentations and quizzes. This is different from how it usually is in Turkey, where you only do one midterm and final. I try to transmit to my students the best parts of the American educational experience, which helps bring growth and confidence. And that can be done in Turkey or any other country in the world!
