Lal Dincer, BA’22, will never meet the late Dr. Klaus Jochem, MDCM’85. But she considers him “an angel.”
That’s because Dr. Jochem was the founder of a McGill student bursary – a bursary that provided Dincer with help when she was at her lowest. “I was at a point where I was burnt out and nothing I did seemed to work,” says Dincer. “His help made everything a lot easier, and I will remember him all my life.”
Dincer is originally from Turkey, and immigrated to attend McGill. “I was always a good student in high school, so I assumed I’d do well.”
That was largely the case up until her third year, when Turkey experienced a major economic crisis and her family’s financial situation changed overnight. “It was a sharp transition, and I was completely on my own.”
Dincer did what she could, taking a job on top of her full roster of high-level courses. Soon her GPA went down, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and “it was pretty tough. I was upset about my grades, but I felt that I had no other options. Everyone at McGill is a high achiever, and so am I.”
That’s when Dincer reached out to McGill’s Scholarships and Student Aid Office. “It’s tough to talk about money,” she says. “Even within my family we weren’t really talking about it, but I had to tell [the Financial Aid Counsellor] everything. I was crying, but she was very kind; she showed me how to ask for help.”
Soon after, Dincer was notified that she would receive a student bursary. As soon as she heard the news, “there was a weight lifted off my shoulders. I was able to concentrate on my schoolwork, which was my main concern, and improve my grades and my mental health.”
Dincer had qualified for the Hans Josef and Klaus Jochem Bursary, established from a bequest in the will of the late Dr. Klaus Jochem, MDCM'85. Since 2018 the bursary has helped 44 students like Dincer, and it will continue in perpetuity.
“There are no words to describe how much I appreciate it. [Dr. Jochem] is like an angel, and I’m beyond grateful that he was there. Every student who’s had his help is going to remember him all their lives.”
Dincer went on to graduate with a degree in psychology and double minors in French and behavioural science. She’s currently pursuing training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, holds four internship positions – including two as a research assistant – and has been accepted to King’s College London for a master’s program.
“I’m very happy that I chose McGill. Because every company, every job application – when I say I’m from McGill, it’s enough; they don’t ask any further questions.”