Q&A With Idil Kara ’21

When Idil Kara came to Northwestern from Istanbul as an undergraduate, she sought community and a sense of belonging. A double major in economics and psychology with a minor in art history, Kara met students across a range of interests, cultures and perspectives. These connections — and her entrepreneurial spirit — have inspired her to foster alumni engagement through shared experiences as president of the NU Club of Greater New York since 2023. Kara, who works at RepRally, a consumer packaged goods startup, describes her efforts to bring a piece of Evanston to New York and help the club attract more Generation Z alumni, like herself. 

What brought you to Northwestern? 

I went to a high school in Istanbul with a U.S. curriculum and American teachers. During my junior year I visited Northwestern and immediately loved the lake view and the balance between city life and a true campus. environment. Coming from a different country and culture, I wanted a college experience where I could meet new people, have discussions with them and make friendships that would last. 

Why did you get involved with the club? 

I moved to New York City right after college and kept running into alumni. It made me realize that there’s this big Northwestern community here. I attended a few alumni events and wanted to continue this sense of closeness in New York. The first few months in the city can be overwhelming. I remembered how supported I felt at Northwestern and wanted to help create that feeling of belonging again. 

How does the club help create community? 

Our club’s goal is to make the city feel smaller and more connected through shared experiences, relationships and learning. We offer programs ranging from Broadway outings and networking events to guided museum tours, Central Park picnics and visits with small businesses owned by alumni. 

What keeps you volunteering for Northwestern? 

At Northwestern, I was lucky to have friends from all over the world, and that diversity made college really special. I want to create that for our club by offering New York experiences for alumni across ages, interests and life stages. That’s what makes life and everyday social interactions more fun — when you’re learning and getting inspired by someone new.  

I’ve found connections show up in unexpected ways. I was in a town in Turkey last summer and saw a man wearing a Northwestern sweatshirt. I learned his daughter was in my class and lived in New York. I asked him to give her my name and LinkedIn, and she came to a game watch party two months later. It’s a great reminder of how easy it is to connect with Northwestern alumni and how small the world is.  

Volunteering is also an opportunity for me to help alumni clubs adapt to new generations of graduates who might value different things. I recently gave a talk to other club leaders on how they can engage Gen Z. Our club offers ways to explore the city and meet new people, which can appeal to younger grads who just moved here. We also want alumni to feel comfortable at our events. They can bring a book or their knitting project if they’re feeling anxious or shy. As a club leader, I can experiment with different ideas and share what I’ve learned with other leaders.