From humble beginnings in Turkey to excelling in one of the nation’s first-of-its-kind program, EnMed, Orhun Davarci’s story is one of resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of opportunity.
Davarci grew up in Turkey, where his father served as a NATO officer and his mother worked as a nurse. At age 15, his family made the difficult decision to leave behind their established careers and everything familiar in pursuit of greater opportunities in the United States. Despite the uncertainty of starting over, they instilled in him the importance of dreaming big and embracing challenges.
“Adjusting to life in the U.S. was overwhelming,” Davarci said. “I was a teenager who didn’t speak any English.”
Settling in Austin, the family faced significant hardships. His mother, once a nurse, found herself working as a cook. Yet, their belief in the possibilities that America offered never wavered. Davarci embraced the challenges ahead. His parents enrolled him in the rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) program, a path they believed would open doors to his future. For Davarci, the demanding program initially seemed insurmountable.
“The IB program was tough,” he recalled. “But I dove in, determined to catch up. It was a crash course in both language and culture.”
Through sheer determination, he mastered English and excelled academically, earning admission to the University of Texas at Austin. His fascination with innovation and the potential to improve lives inspired his choice to study biomedical engineering.
But his path wasn’t always clear. During his sophomore year, Davarci found himself at a crossroads. “I wanted to have the personal impact of a physician but couldn’t let go of my passion for engineering,” he said. Rather than choose between the two fields, he began preparing for medical school while deepening his engineering expertise.
At UT Austin, he completed both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in biomedical engineering, focusing on computational imaging and informatics. His commitment to innovation earned him a cancer research award, and he gained clinical exposure through Dell Medical School’s Catalyst Program.
A meeting with an admissions officer from Texas A&M’s College of Medicine introduced him to EnMed—a program that perfectly aligned with his passion for the intersection of medicine and technology.
With its state-of-the-art facilities in the Texas Medical Center, world-class professors and partnership with Houston Methodist, EnMed is the ideal place to pursue my dream of advancing healthcare,” he said.
Now a second-year student at EnMed, Davarci not only thrives academically but also mentors fellow students, sharing wisdom from his own journey.
“In Turkey, we have a saying: ‘If you love a rose, you put up with its thorns.’ Challenges are just opportunities to grow.”
The Craig and Galen Brown Foundation recently named Davarci a Brown Scholar, providing significant financial support for his education. This prestigious award recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and innovative thinking.
Reflecting on his journey, Davarci credits the kindness and support of those who believed in him for shaping his path. “Embracing life’s challenges has transformed my dreams into reality,” he said. His story is more than one of perseverance; it’s a reminder that embracing opportunities, no matter how daunting, can transform dreams into reality.
Orhun’s journey inspires all who dare to dream big and work hard: proof that anything is possible in the land of opportunity.
