Who I Am
Hello, I'm Özlem. I spent the first 20 years of my career as an English teacher, department head and administrator at some of Turkey's most prestigious international schools — TED Istanbul College, ENKA Schools and IICS. I learned how school systems work from the inside: which schools look impressive on paper and which ones actually deliver.
Then my life changed. My husband's career took us to Singapore, then Myanmar, France, Azerbaijan and Dubai. I went from being an education professional to being an expat mother — frantically researching the right school for my children in a foreign country. Despite my 20 years of experience, it was overwhelming.
That's how Edualist was born. I founded it to guide Turkish families through international school selection with field-tested knowledge — from both an educator's and a mother's perspective. To date, I've worked with over 100 families across more than 10 countries, primarily in Dubai.
Career Timeline
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E2020 – PresentFounder — EdualistDubai, BAE
International school consulting for 100+ Turkish families in Dubai and worldwide. School selection, application management, interview preparation and adaptation coaching.
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I2015 – 2020IICS — Indian International SchoolDubai, BAE
English department head and administrator. Learned the Dubai school system from the inside: KHDA inspection processes, admission procedures and expat family dynamics.
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E2005 – 2015ENKA Schools — English Department HeadIstanbul, Turkey
Specialised in IB and British curriculum systems. Working with students at varying language levels; developing EAL programmes.
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T1998 – 2005TED Istanbul College — English TeacherIstanbul, Turkey
Career start. Teaching and curriculum development at one of Turkey's most established educational institutions.
Education & Credentials
Countries Served
Let's Work Together
Finding the right school for your child doesn't have to be overwhelming. Let's talk in a free initial consultation and build a personalised road map for your family.