Bizzat Deneyimlediğimiz Uluslararası Okullar: Lived Experience with International Schools:
Kurucumuz Hakkında
About the Founder
Edualist, çocuklarının eğitimi için Dubai’ye veya yurt dışına taşınmayı planlayan Türk ailelere, okul seçimi ve eğitim geçiş süreçlerinde rehberlik etmek amacıyla kuruldu.
Edualist was founded to support Turkish families who are planning to relocate to Dubai or abroad for their children’s education.
Meet the Founder: Özlem Çimen
Education Professional | Parent-Student Coach | Global Expat Mother
For over 20 years, I served as an English teacher, department head, and school administrator in some of Turkey’s most prestigious private schools, including TED Istanbul College, ENKA Schools, and Istanbul International Community School (IICS). I knew the curricula inside out, trained in IB frameworks, and had the privilege of guiding hundreds of students.
But when life took my own family on an international relocation journey, I encountered the other side of the coin: being a parent.
When it was time to choose schools for my own children, despite my entire professional background in education, I found myself completely overwhelmed. Questions like, 'Where do I start? How do the applications work? How will my kids adapt to this new system?' kept me awake at night—just as they might be doing for you right now.
Experience-Backed Confidence
Through our international relocation journey, my children and I experienced education across different countries, cultures, and school systems. My daughter started her education at the age of four at Singapore International School and later continued in the French education system across four different countries. She also successfully experienced homeschooling through CNED alongside the IB MYP curriculum.
My son began primary school in Myanmar, continued his education in well-established schools in Istanbul and Baku, and is now studying successfully at GEMS American Academy in Dubai.
Living and studying across five countries taught our family that choosing the right school and educational pathway is not a one-size-fits-all decision. Every child is different, and finding the right academic environment requires careful guidance, understanding, and a personalized approach.
Professional Experience & Educational Expertise
EDUALIST combines personal international relocation experience with strong educational knowledge and guidance. As a parent who has experienced different school systems across several countries, I understand how challenging it can be for families to choose the right school, curriculum, and learning environment for their children.
Based in Dubai, UAE, I work closely with families to provide clear and personalized support in international K–12 education, school placements, academic transitions, and student development. My goal is to help each child find the educational path that best matches their academic needs, personality, strengths, and future goals.
Educational Leadership: Extensive experience as a Middle School Vice Principal, Head of Foreign Languages, and Department Counsellor.
Specialized Language Coaching: Expert in delivering EAL (English as an Additional Language) support to help non-native students quickly build academic confidence.
Global Strategic Thinking: Supported by an MBA in International Marketing from the USA and entrepreneurial experience founding a fair-trade business in Myanmar, allowing me to approach educational planning with a highly organized, strategic vision.
Certified Expertise: Professionally trained in Child Protection, Differentiated Instruction (Harvard Graduate School of Education), and IB Curricula.
The Edualist Mission
At Edualist, I do not just share theoretical knowledge. This platform was created to ensure that your family's major transition is well-planned, fully supported, and free of unnecessary anxiety.
My goal is to help your children walk into their new classrooms on their very first day not just as "the new kid," but as confident, adaptable global citizens.
I have walked this path, and I am ready to walk it with you.
Meet the Founder: Özlem Çimen
Education Professional | Parent-Student Coach | Global Expat Mother
For over 20 years, I served as an English teacher, department head, and school administrator in some of Turkey’s most prestigious private schools, including TED Istanbul College, ENKA Schools, and Istanbul International Community School (IICS). I knew the curricula inside out, trained in IB frameworks, and had the privilege of guiding hundreds of students.
But when life took my own family on an international relocation journey, I encountered the other side of the coin: being a parent.
When it was time to choose schools for my own children, despite my entire professional background in education, I found myself completely overwhelmed. Questions like, "Where do I start? How do the applications work? How will my kids adapt to this new system?" kept me awake at night—just as they might be doing for you right now.
Experience-Backed Confidence
Through our international relocation journey, my children and I experienced education across different countries, cultures, and school systems. My daughter started her education at the age of four at Singapore International School and later continued in the French education system across four different countries. She also successfully experienced homeschooling through CNED alongside the IB MYP curriculum.
My son began primary school in Myanmar, continued his education in well-established schools in Istanbul and Baku, and is now studying successfully at GEMS American Academy in Dubai.
Living and studying across five countries taught our family that choosing the right school and educational pathway is not a one-size-fits-all decision. Every child is different, and finding the right academic environment requires careful guidance, understanding, and a personalized approach.
Professional Experience & Educational Expertise
EDUALIST combines personal international relocation experience with strong educational knowledge and guidance. As a parent who has experienced different school systems across several countries, I understand how challenging it can be for families to choose the right school, curriculum, and learning environment for their children.
Based in Dubai, UAE, I work closely with families to provide clear and personalized support in international K–12 education, school placements, academic transitions, and student development. My goal is to help each child find the educational path that best matches their academic needs, personality, strengths, and future goals.
Educational Leadership: Extensive experience as a Middle School Vice Principal, Head of Foreign Languages, and Department Counsellor.
Specialized Language Coaching: Expert in delivering EAL (English as an Additional Language) support to help non-native students quickly build academic confidence.
Global Strategic Thinking: Supported by an MBA in International Marketing from the USA and entrepreneurial experience founding a fair-trade business in Myanmar, allowing me to approach educational planning with a highly organized, strategic vision.
Certified Expertise: Professionally trained in Child Protection, Differentiated Instruction (Harvard Graduate School of Education), and IB Curricula.
The Edualist Mission
At Edualist, I do not just share theoretical knowledge. This platform was created to ensure that your family's major transition is well-planned, fully supported, and free of unnecessary anxiety.
My goal is to help your children walk into their new classrooms on their very first day not just as "the new kid," but as confident, adaptable global citizens.
I have walked this path, and I am ready to walk it with you.
“Bir eğitimci olmanın yanı sıra, iki çocuk annesi olarak uluslararası okul değişimlerinin aileler için ne kadar önemli ve duygusal kararlar olduğunu çok iyi biliyorum. Edualist’i, benzer bir yolculuğa çıkan ailelerin yanında olmak, onlara daha net, sakin ve bilinçli bir karar süreci sunmak için kurdum.”
“As an educator and a mother of two, I understand how important and emotional international school decisions can be for families. I founded Edualist to guide families through this journey with clarity, empathy and practical experience.”