Students from Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication, Department of Public Relations and Publicity, organized meaningful events that strengthened intergenerational interaction by coming together with nursing home residents through a social responsibility project carried out within the scope of ‘Graduation Project I’. In this context, a comprehensive social responsibility project was implemented for the residents of ‘Kadıköy Nursing Home and Elderly Care Center’. Students held mini-interviews with the nursing home residents, listening to their life experiences and advice for young people. The advice cards prepared as a result of these interviews were exhibited and presented to the students.
Zehra Gündüz, Sudenur Altun, Ebrar Aksu, Büşra Yayla, and Reyyan Fatma Bahçeci, senior students of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication, Department of Public Relations and Publicity, carried out a comprehensive social responsibility project for the residents of Kadıköy Nursing Home and Elderly Care Center under the guidance of their advisor Dr. Lecturer Nejla Polat.
Events Kicking Off with Classical Turkish Music Concert Attracted Great Attention
The events organized within the scope of the visit to Kadıköy Yaşam Nursing Home and Elderly Care Center began with a classical Turkish music concert. Bilge Melek Çap, who graduated from the Public Relations and Publicity Department last year, provided enjoyable moments for the nursing home residents with her emotional performances. Her husband, Hakan Çap, accompanied her on the qanun. The nursing home residents enthusiastically participated in the concert with their applause and accompaniment.
A Warm Atmosphere Was Created with Sincere Conversations and Treats
Following the events, cookies prepared by the students at their homes were offered to the nursing home residents. During the gathering, accompanied by tea, warm and sincere conversations took place between the youth and the nursing home residents.
“If I Were 22…” Advice Met with Young People
In another event organized within the scope of the project, a 'If I Were 22…' advice card activity was carried out. Students conducted mini-interviews with the nursing home residents, listening to their life experiences and advice for young people.
The advice cards prepared as a result of these interviews were exhibited in the Üsküdar Üniversitesi South Campus C-D Block foyer area and presented to the students.
Enjoyable Moments Were Experienced with Stone Painting and Wish Balloons
Within the scope of the events, a stone painting activity was also carried out. This activity allowed nursing home residents to showcase their manual skills and spend enjoyable time with the students. The program concluded with nursing home residents and students releasing wish balloons into the sky together with the slogan “Glad We Exist Together”.
Intergenerational Interaction and Social Benefit Came to the Fore
Throughout the events, a strong bond and sincere communication environment were formed between the Public Relations and Publicity Department students, their advisor Dr. Lecturer Nejla Polat, and the nursing home residents.
Students gained significant professional and humanistic insights by listening to the life experiences of elderly individuals. It was observed that the social interaction of the nursing home residents increased, and they felt valued and remembered.
With the implemented social responsibility project, students transformed their professional education into social benefit, and positive feedback was received for the continuation of similar initiatives.