Meet the Teacher: Alex Gulecoglu
Melissa Crown
Name: Alex Gulecoglu
Campus: Khalifa City Women’s College
Teaching Levels: Level 3
Years at HCT: 2nd Semester
What’s your hometown? I grew up in Mersin, Turkey, and my family is still there. I have many friends with whom I am still in touch. However, I later immigrated to Los Angeles, California where my wife grew up. I lived there for about 6 years and now have many friends there as well. I really like living in Los Angeles. In this case, I feel like I have two hometowns.
What food do you miss from your hometown? Though not as well as my mom, I can cook most of the Turkish dishes I like. I miss the burger from the best fast food chain in the U.S.: In-N-Out Burger. If you are in California, especially in Los Angeles, you MUST try it. They have a secret menu which has amazingly tasty burgers and fries cooked in different styles and flavors.
What was your first job? When I was a teenager, I worked as a baker at my grandpa’s bakery for two summers. This helped me save some money for my school expenses. Thanks to this experience, now I can bake great bread and pastries.
If you were a Disney character, who would you be? Aladdin’s Genie.
Beach or mountains? Why? Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier, California. They are next to each other, so you can walk from one place to another.
Camping or hotel? Why? Well, it depends. If I’m in the mountains, definitely camping in order to better enjoy the nature and roast some marshmallows There is also the prestige of making a campfire and conversing with your friends about different topics. On the other hand, if I’m in a city with beautiful beaches or cultural heritage, I would prefer to stay at a hotel and get some rest before exploring the city or the coast.
What’s your pet peeve? Having dinner before sunset. It ruins the whole atmosphere 
The best era of music is… Music is timeless. As long as you value the beat, the lyrics, the tunes, there is always good music out there, regardless of the genre. 😉
Something I have done that I am proud of is… earning my own money for my school expenses when I was a teenager.
My favorite childhood toy was my blue and red striped tricycle. I had it until I was 10, but then it got embarrassing to ride it when I saw five year olds riding the same thing. Thus, I had to stop using it.
