Gizem Akildiz

My love for learning began at an early age when I repeated letters of the alphabet to my mother as she patiently taught me each one. With our combined efforts, I started reading Turkish newspapers at three years old. I was born in the beautiful city of Diyarbakir, Turkey, and when I moved to Burlingame, California, I had to learn a very similar alphabet and an entirely different language.

I was fortunate enough to have wonderful teachers that supported me through every step of my learning as I navigated my new world. Their support inspired me to find ways to help the people that I care about, and I began tutoring my younger sisters. I quickly learned how satisfying it can be to witness others’ confidence and academic success grow.

After graduating from Burlingame High School, I got my bachelor’s degree in human biology at UC Santa Cruz. My curiosity for the sciences flourished, and I was able to share my passion with other students as a peer tutor. Discussing class topics with my peer study groups served as an opportunity for me to share knowledge with my classmates and immerse myself in the lecture material as well. We all benefited from this exchange, and it allowed us to alternate between being learners and teachers. Following my experience at UC Santa Cruz, I obtained a master’s in global health sciences at UC San Francisco. I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge and apply my skills by conducting independent research for my capstone project.

In my opinion, tutoring is most effective when students’ individual needs are recognized and met.Identifying a student’s strengths and targeting their areas of growth can yield incredible results. I also believe in the power of building strategic study skills that cater to each student and allow them to succeed in the long term. Students are taught what to study, but never explicitly told how to study, and my goal is to prepare students with the skills they need to be independent and successful in all of their future academic endeavors. 

In my free time, I enjoy going to coffee shops, reading books, and hiking. I also love spending time with my two cats!