In the weeks leading up to Marhaba and moving onto campus, I was feeling both excited and nervous, going through every possible emotion. I still cannot believe I’ve actually moved to another country.
Growing up in Astana has always made me appreciate how international my city and my country are becoming. Kazakhstan sits at this fascinating crossroads between different cultures and regions, and I think that has shaped the way I see the world.
Choosing to come study at NYU Abu Dhabi ultimately came down to the combination of academic opportunities, the international community, and the financial support that made attending college possible. I wanted a university where I can have an international education while being part of a close-knit campus community. Coming from a relatively small school, I value being part of a community where you can actually get to know the people around you.
Global network
I love that my education is not confined to one campus or even one country. The possibility of spending a semester at another NYU campus or participating in global programs is something I’m really looking forward to. It’s nice to know I could study in Abu Dhabi while still being part of the wider NYU global network.
As NYUAD has always been the best fit for me so I didn’t hesitate to commit and apply as an Early Decision I applicant.
I’m planning to study Economics at NYUAD but equally excited for the freedom to explore subjects outside my intended major. I’ve always been interested in the intersection of economics, politics, law, literature, and culture, so I’m hoping to take advantage of the interdisciplinary nature of the Core Curriculum and discover areas I might not have considered before.
Even though I want to pursue social studies professionally, literature and fiction writing are a huge part of my life that I love dearly, and something I want to continue exploring. I’ve enrolled in a creative writing class under the guidance of Professor Tishani Doshi and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it.
In this new chapter, together
There’s something comforting about knowing that all my classmates arriving at Marhaba are going through a version of the same thing. We’re all leaving something familiar behind and starting something completely new together.
I’m looking forward to making friends, exploring the campus, discovering Abu Dhabi together, and probably creating a ridiculous number of memories during our first semester.
In the next four years, I look forward to being challenged in the way I think, becoming comfortable outside my comfort zone, and carving space to experiment with different interests and opportunities.
More than anything, I want these four years to be full of experiences that I couldn’t have had anywhere else. I’m very excited—and a little terrified—to see where they take me.
