Impressive work by AIC grad student Busra Yanbul, who started a collection drive after hearing about the devastation caused by two high-magnitude earthquakes in Turkey and Syria in early February. The natural disasters left millions without food, water, or a place to stay.

Yanbul’s earthquake relief efforts raised more than $5,000 and 200 large boxes of donations which were transported to the Turkish Consulate in Boston to be flown on Turkish Airlines to the devastated region.

"American International College is proud of Busra Yanbul for her commitment to helping our Turkish and Syrian neighbors,” said AIC President Hubert Benitez. “Her actions are emblematic of the college’s core values, and AIC stands by Busra and the people of Turkey and Syria in this great time of need. Our hearts go out to those with loved ones whose lives have been altered by this unimaginable tragedy.”

Yanbul, a graduate student in mental health counseling, is Turkish. "My parents were born and raised there before they moved here. When I saw the destruction, I realized I had to do something. Whatever I could do on my end to send back to those in need, it had to be done.” The donation drive was just a start for Yanbul, who plans to continue helping those devastated by the quakes. Read more about her efforts by clicking here.