Levent came from Turkey 12 years ago with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a remarkable eagerness to learn English. When he searched for English programs, he looked specifically in Houston because his cousin lived here. Looking back, he considers himself very lucky that his cousin’s city of residence led him to enroll in the Intensive English Program at Rice University. Levent had always wanted to study and work in the U.S. He thinks one of the things that contributed the most to his academic and professional success was to have a solid English education at Rice. “I can’t thank this program enough! Teachers, directors and staff were perfectly awesome, friendly, well-educated and they knew what they were doing!”.
In addition to learning English in the classroom, Levent also seized all available opportunities to practice his language skills, such as exploring Houston, attending program-organized events, watching sports and socializing within the program and outside of it too. He liked the city so much that he stayed after he finished his English studies. “It is the fourth largest city in U.S.A. and not expensive at all when you compare it to other big cities like New York or Chicago.” His favorite things about Houston remain its affordability, diversity, entertainment opportunities and the food (not necessarily in that order).
After completing his English studies, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Two weeks before his graduation, he had a job offer from a big petrochemical company in Houston. He was hired as a junior commercial trader and his job was to increase sales volume in the West Africa market. After two and a half years working there, he accepted a job offer from another company. This time he became a regional sales manager for Turkey, Europe and parts of Africa, and held this role for three years.
After working as an engineer for six years in the oil and gas industry, Levent decided it was time to start making his own dreams come true. Five years ago, he and his wife established Karabulut International LLC, an e-commerce business importing high-quality products from foreign markets. This allowed him to earn a living doing two of the things he loves the most: business and traveling.
Whenever teachers remember Levent, the words that always come up are energetic, enthusiastic and confident. Not surprisingly, now he is a young entrepreneur with a steadily growing business, a father, a runner of marathons, a basketball and soccer enthusiast and a food lover (not necessarily in that order).
To anyone considering studying English in the U.S., he says, “Dream big! Rice University will help you make your dreams come true!”