Aruzhan Zhamalbek

Candidate Weekend — the first elevator rides, lounge games, and spontaneous small talk — remains etched in my memory as the beginning of my NYU Abu Dhabi journey. Even now, I shudder at the thought of playing charades back then, when my limited vocabulary would send me into panic.

To my little Aruzhan: if only you knew I never memorized every word. Instead, I learned to embrace uncertainty and confidently say, "I don't know." Overwhelmed by hundreds of names I couldn't quite keep track of, I was a first-generation student stepping into a world of incredible diversity. I could never have predicted the amazing opportunities, life-changing friendships, and transformative experiences NYUAD would bring.

Four years later, as my brother visited with his family and I proudly introduced him to my second home, I realized just how far I had come. Every warm greeting and every kind hello to us reminded me of my transformation. I evolved from a shy girl, once terrified of playing charades, into someone who opened her heart to a welcoming community. 

My journey even inspired me to convince my Emirati best friend to join me for a study-away semester. I still recall her hesitant words: "You're with friends, but it's my first time going abroad without family. I'm scared." Those words resonated with my own experience of trusting destiny and taking that leap into the unknown.

I opened my heart to NYUAD — my alma mater — and it turned out to be the greatest experience of my life. Now, as I prepare to graduate and soar into new horizons, I remain forever grateful to NYUAD for nurturing me, for teaching me how to fly. With the support of incredible friends and peers, I'm ready to step into adult life, even if a little fear still lingers.