ABOUT ME

Hi, my name's Elena Alden Woods. I go by Alden.

Here's a little bit about my background for anyone who's interested (inside Turkey or back home).

I want to work in International Relations, which is what led me to search for a program like YES. Working for the State Department at 17? An absolute dream.

I'm from Shreveport, Louisiana. My family and I also lived in New York City (go Yankees).

In 7th grade I was accepted into Duke University's Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP). You live on a college campus for three weeks out of the summer, studying a subject of your choice surrounded by people as passionate about it as you are. I took foreign policy classes for three years and completely fell in love with it. It changed my life.

My fourth year with Duke TIP I studied international law and the war crimes tribunals in The Hague, Netherlands.

I went to Caddo Magnet High School for three years, and will be postponing my senior year to study in Turkey. I love Magnet and will be missing everyone there dearly. At the same time, the opportunity to study abroad with the State Department is the most exciting experience of my life so far, and I look forward to sharing my experiences in Turkey.