Turkish & Ottoman Studies Program | Near Eastern Languages & Civilization | University of Washington
Turkey in Seattle : an Oral History Project
Ender is from İzmir and grew up as the middle child of three brothers. After attending a French college in İzmir he came to the U.S. in 1972 with his brother to study at the University of Wisconsin after great influence from his father to get a Western education. After graduating he moved to California and worked in interior design, preparing him for his current job as a lighting and electrical designer. He married his wife in 1976, later having four kids. He identifies more with his Turkish heritage than his American identity and feels attached to his birthplace. He enjoys attending Turkish American events in his community and served as a board president and social program director for the Turkish American Community of Washington. Although his primary language around the house is English, he taught his children basic Turkish. He appreciates being able to practice his culture freely in the U.S. and sees it as a country made up of all different cultures and ideas.