‘24

At the start of the 2024 school year, Mert Ozer, transfer student, joined the Indian Hills community. Mert, however, is not the average transfer student—he is a foreign exchange student from Turkey, as well as a musician who is fully blind. He describes himself as such: “I am a scholarship exchange student hosted by AFS through the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study (YES) program. Music is one of the most important things in my life. I have been playing the piano and singing for 10 years. I am currently learning guitar. Besides music, I am also interested in things like computer science and mathematics. I have a very social personality, [and] it’s nice spending time with people who always have interesting things to tell.” Mert has been welcomed by the Indian Hills administration, and has already begun involving himself in music-related activities around the school such as choir, theater, and band. 

Of course, changing schools can be difficult for anyone, and changing countries even more so. Mert, though, has been making the best of this journey, and is very enthusiastic when speaking about his future in the United States. “Unfortunately, not everyone is born with equal opportunities. Absolutely no one is equal, but I have always believed that there is always something to be done to make the process better for us, and I am living it right now. It has only been 1.5 months since I came to America and settled in my home, but I am realizing many of my dreams are [becoming] real. I started taking guitar lessons and had the opportunity to share my talents with many more people. I have improved my English, I will go to the concerts of my favorite celebrities, and perhaps most importantly, I am improving my [perspective].” He credits his host mother for a lot of his comfort in his new surroundings and ability to settle in, saying, “Living in America is nice, but the person who makes it best is my American mother, Ann Ford. Her perspective on life taught me a lot. We have a lot to teach each other and she is truly my mother. Before I came here, I was wondering if I would feel lonely because I don’t have a host father or other children at home, but now I am one of the happiest people in the world. America wouldn’t be this beautiful without her and our dogs.” 

Mert’s interest and proficiency in music has provided him with a multitude of opportunities at Indian Hills. Mert says his start in music began very early on in his life: “I remember making rhythms with buckets when I was little. Later, when I was 5 years old, I was playing children’s songs by combining the sounds on my mother’s old generation push-button phone.” He has perfect pitch, which is the ability to identify and reproduce a musical note with no reference. This is a fairly rare skill, and it has made it easy for him to fit in with Hills’ various ensembles, despite being unable to see the piano or sheet music. He is able to listen to and recreate melodies from the concert band’s pieces, for example, on piano, with no visual references whatsoever. “I taught myself [piano], but occasionally went to the conservatory [in Turkey]. Even though I passed all the exams and entered the school, they did not have the accommodations for me but I took piano lessons from time to time.” Now, with the proper support from the members of Hills’ music programs, Mert is able to showcase his talents in singing and piano in multiple of the school’s performing arts groups. Mr. Friedman, Hills’ band director, has expressed his excitement about Mert’s involvement in the band, especially since piano is not typically an instrument featured in a concert band ensemble, saying “Mert is navigating his way through the music and complimenting what he hears from the band extremely well,” and mentioning that he would be a featured vocalist in the spring concert. 
Mert’s positive outlook, willingness to share his talents, and outgoing personality make him an excellent new member of the Indian Hills community. A lot can be learned from his attitude and the way he takes on life—especially under such unique circumstances—with an optimistic disposition.