Hoos Serving

Vedat Dilek is a fourth-year in the McIntire School, majoring in Commerce with a Finance concentration. Vedat is the co-president of Blossom Together, a student-led humanitarian organization that supports living standards in third-world African countries. Founded in 2018, Blossom Together has raised nearly $200,000, worked in five different countries, and partnered with reputable institutions like the World Bank. After graduation, Vedat will go into investment banking.

What led you to your service work?

From a young age, I was instilled with the understanding that I'm in a position of blessing and opportunity that others don't have. Naturally, I see the utilization of this blessing / opportunity as a responsibility to make the world a better place.

What has been the most rewarding aspect that comes with your community involvements?

Seeing the smiles of people of different colors and cultures across the world.

How would you encourage others to get involved?

Fill out the Blossom application via our website and/or check out our website to read about future opportunities.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I have a soft spot for Turkish philosophy and poetry and love to spend time with my close friends and family in my free time.

What is your favorite spot on Grounds and why?

Newcomb – this was the first place I came to as a first-year, and I see it as a safe space where people can pray, eat, vent to each other, study, and immerse themselves with UVA's culture.

What is a book or movie you would recommend?

"The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg. It shows the process of how habits develop and what people can do to establish a strong lifestyle.

If you could do one thing to make the world a better place, what would it be?

Smile. I believe that smiling is charity and can instantly change the mood of the person you're interacting with and atmosphere of the places you occupy.