20.01.2026 18:26
Eighty-one-year-old Esme Dalgıç, who lives in Çorum, inspires everyone with her determination to learn and her endless love for education. Since her youth, Dalgıç has participated in dozens of courses, ranging from sewing to marbling, and from computers to photography. After learning to read and write, she obtained her primary, secondary, and high school diplomas through open education and went to a driving school to get her driver's license. Dalgıç is now preparing to start a course in saz, which she hesitated to attend because it is considered 'shameful'.
Esme Dalgıç, a mother of four living in Çorum, started attending a knitting course opened within the public education center after her first child began school.
OBTAINED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMAS, ATTENDED DOZENS OF COURSES
Completing the literacy course that was opened at the same time, Dalgıç later obtained her primary and secondary school diplomas through open education. Over the years, Dalgıç participated in dozens of courses ranging from sewing and embroidery to marbling, oil painting, computer skills, 3D design, photography, and scented stone design, and during this process, she also attended a driving course and obtained her driver's license.
TOOK THE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM TWICE
Receiving her high school diploma at the age of 76, Dalgıç participated in the "Mother University Project" of Hitit University and took the university entrance exam twice. Spending several months of the year in Istanbul with her children, Dalgıç does not neglect to participate in courses and learning activities there as well. Attending Quran classes three days a week and an oil painting course organized by the Çorum Municipality Buhara Women's Culture Center for two days, Dalgıç aims to join a saz course later.
"WHEN YOU GO TO EDUCATION, YOU SEE YOURSELF IN ANOTHER WORLD"
Esme Dalgıç stated that she has always loved learning, which is why she has continuously attended courses since her 20s, and she prefers watching documentaries instead of series on television. Pointing out that her love for education has set an example for those around her, Dalgıç said, "For example, I go to a course, and they look at me and say, 'Aunt, why are you coming at this age?' Those who dropped out of high school saw me and returned to school, they studied. I have been an example to many."
Dalgıç expressed that she enjoys all the courses she attends and learns something from them, saying, "I love all the courses. I go with pleasure. I don't want to sit at home. I recommend education to young and old alike. When you go to education, you see yourself in another world, your environment changes, and you chat with your friends. They shouldn't stay at home. They shouldn't say, 'We are old, we can't go.'"
NOW SHE IS ATTENDING THE SAZ COURSE SHE HESITATED TO JOIN BECAUSE IT WAS 'CONSIDERED SHAMEFUL'
Dalgıç emphasized that the support of her late husband, who passed away seven years ago, and her children in attending the course has been one of the most motivating factors for her. Explaining that she wanted to attend the saz course, Dalgıç noted, "Actually, I wanted to go to the saz course a long time ago. I wanted to go the year I started the courses, but they would consider it shameful, saying, 'She is going to the saz course.' I thought I couldn't hide the saz, I couldn't take it with me. There are those who say, 'Why are you going to courses, just sit at home,' but I don't listen to them. I just spoke with the teacher. There is a saz course here. If God gives health and life, I hope to go to the saz course."
INSPIRING STUDENTS
The painting teacher Gülçin Gevenkiriş, who is in charge of the course, also pointed out that there is no age for learning and that Esme Dalgıç is one of the best examples of this. Expressing that she benefits from Dalgıç's experiences as a new teacher, Gevenkiriş said, "I am doing my master's degree. There are points where I feel like giving up, but Aunt Esme showed me that as long as the heart beats, people can develop themselves and learn. She deeply affected me. She has also been an inspiration to my students here. I am glad we met, I am glad she entered our lives."
Her neighbor and classmate Sema Dalyan stated that they come and go to the course together with Esme Dalgıç, spending time together constantly, and that the course has been very productive. Noting that everyone in the course benefits from Dalgıç's experiences, Dalyan said, "She is a very good person. She gives us gifts, brings us food, and asks about our well-being. We love Aunt Esma very much."