Mustafa's Essay
“It is not the obstacles that stop people; it is their psychological reactions that do.” My grandfather wrote those words from a Turkish prison. He is a 75-year-old journalist, a well-known media figure, and the former owner of Turkey’s largest newspaper. Nine years ago, he was sentenced to life in prison for his political dissent. Even after the Turkish Supreme Court overturned his sentence twice, he remains incarcerated—a living testament to the peril faced by those who dare to challenge government injustice. His handwritten letters are my most treasured possessions. One rides in my backpack daily as a folded symbol of connection, resilience, and responsibility—a responsibility I am determined to transform into action as I pursue a career in law.
In 2016, a coup attempt in Turkey shattered my family’s plans and upended our lives. The government used the chaos as a pretext to target dissidents, arresting, imprisoning, and firing hundreds of thousands of individuals in the military, judiciary, academia, media, and education. Private universities, schools, foundations, newspapers, and TV stations were shut down overnight. My father, a journalism professor, lost his job without warning or due process. If we hadn’t been on vacation in Florida at the time, my father may well have shared my grandfather’s fate. Returning home was impossible, so my family sought asylum, embarking on a journey defined by uncertainty but guided by a commitment to justice and truth.
My grandfather’s letters became a bridge for my personal growth. I began translating them—for him, for my family, and for the lawyers at Solidarity with Others, a human rights organization in Luxembourg. Each word mattered deeply. I would pause over phrases like “universal jurisdiction”—concepts I didn’t yet understand—and immerse myself in research, studying relevant cases and legal precedents. Making thoughtful decisions about word choice, I strove to preserve meaning and dignity. I included glossaries for my grandfather, allowing him to see the careful intention in every line. That same precision—listening first, translating carefully, following through—shapes everything I do.
Outside my family, these translation skills quickly became a tool for advocacy. At my local public library, I met a newly arrived asylee family struggling to complete enrollment forms for their son. I translated every form line by line, helped them request a language-access meeting, and guided them through drafting an email and preparing a phone script. A week later, the boy was placed in the correct math class—a small victory, but a life-changing one for him. I found myself quoting my grandfather’s words: “It is not the obstacles…”
At home, I became my mother's advocate during a period of acute depression as she grappled with displacement. There was no simple solution; the work was often far harder than translating legal documents. Still, I showed up—listening, supporting her during appointments, translating at evaluations, and helping with forms. My support was never dramatic but unfailing—a model for the kind of advocate I aspire to become.
The letters have never stopped arriving. Through them, I have come to view law not as an abstract system, but as a profoundly human calling. The lawyers in Luxembourg never met my grandfather, yet their work was marked by empathy and rigor. Their filings, advocacy, and relentless follow-up showed me how law—when pursued with genuine care—can transform lives. They inspired me to see my future in law: pursuing legal studies not only for mastery, but to serve others and challenge injustice directly.
I have since translated dozens of letters and documents, mentored newly arrived students, and continued advocating for my family. I maintain a glossary on my phone and help local immigrant families with school paperwork and navigating support systems. These small acts—choosing the right verb to preserve dignity, opening doors with a simple sentence, asking thoughtful questions to build trust—have become both my practice and my ethical foundation.
My commitment to law is reflected in a broader array of experiences. As an intern with Merit Law LLP, I conducted case research with AI tools, assisted clients, and shadowed attorneys. This exposed me to the intricacies of casework and the impact effective legal advocacy can have on individuals. Through my internship with Leadership Initiatives International, I engaged in real-world simulations focused on international law and policy. Selected from a 2.3% applicant pool, I dedicated 70+ hours to legal simulation and policy briefing projects, reporting to program leaders and building proficiency in practical legal skills.
Leadership and advocacy have defined my extracurricular commitments. As Campus Strategist for Perplexity AI at Georgetown University, I led outreach events for 5,000+ students and collaborated with community partners to promote research and digital literacy. As a lead fundraiser and mentor for the American Turkish Friendship Association, I organized relief efforts after the devastating Turkey-Syria earthquakes, raising funding and supporting survivors. In my work with LeadUp, I earned recognition from the United Nations General Assembly for sustainable development leadership, accumulating over 100 hours of service and helping raise nearly $100,000 for global causes.
Academically, my pursuits have reflected a commitment to understanding the intersection of law, policy, and society. I have earned an Advanced Diploma from Chantilly High School, dual-enrolled in government courses at Northern Virginia Community College, and completed a prestigious summer program in Near & Middle Eastern Studies at Georgetown University. Recently, I studied the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Law at William & Mary Law School—growing my awareness of new legal frontiers and the need for principled, ethical approaches.
Before leaving for school, I always check my backpack to make sure I have everything. My grandfather’s letter is always in there—the paper soft from years of use and the ink slightly faded. His words echo in my mind daily, not just as advice but as a promise I intend to keep. They have inspired me to use my education, skills, and experience to stand for justice, elevate the voices of those who are denied opportunity, and become the advocate my family and community deserve.
In every letter, document, and moment of advocacy, I have learned that law is lived daily and justice is delivered through sustained support for those in need. As I prepare to enter college and continue my journey toward a legal career, I am determined that my future work in law will combine legal expertise with empathy, ethical leadership, and an unwavering commitment to positive change.
