71-year-old grandmother from Turkey earns graphic design diploma

Selma Şahin, a 71-year-old housewife from Kütahya, has successfully completed her university education, which she began two years ago.

Şahin is the mother of two daughters and grandmother of four. She had to drop out of high school due to her father's financial difficulties. She enrolled in the Vocational School of Fine Arts at Kütahya Dumlupınar University (DPÜ) after completing middle and high school through the open education system and scoring sufficiently on the university entrance exam.

After successfully completing the two-year graphic design program, Şahin will receive her diploma at the graduation ceremony on June 27.

Şahin said she chose to study graphics and design because she loves painting and is interested in art.

She noted that being a housewife did not interfere with her studies and that her husband, who works as a salesman, provided her with strong support in her education.

The woman also shared that some people around her found it strange that she was attending university at her age:

“Unfortunately, some people reacted negatively to my university education. Some said, ‘At this age, stay at home, what are you doing at university?’ Despite their discouragement, I didn’t quit because there is no age limit for learning and education.

My father couldn’t send me to school due to financial hardship, and I had to leave high school. Studying remained a dream. If I can be an example for young people or for others like me who couldn’t attend university, I would be very happy.”