Dariga Ismailova, 19 years old, hometown — Astana, student of the University of information technologies and management, Rzeszow
About admission
Even when I was in the fifth grade, I knew that I would study abroad. My mom wanted it, and so did I. In the 11th grade we were visited by representatives of the Polish University. I was interested in management, and the University offered a new direction — aviation management. This direction is only in three European countries, and Poland is the cheapest. It was affordable and innovative, so I decided to enter this University.
It was easy, you just had to collect all the documents and pass an interview in English
I came through the official representatives. It was easy, you just had to collect all the documents and pass an interview in English. I hadn't passed the UNT and therefore could not get a red certificate. Instead, I focused on language learning and learned English in six months. As a result, I successfully passed an interview with representatives of the University on Skype, and I did not have to go through the foundation and spend a whole year on it.
About education
I went to Poland, as soon as I turned 17 years old. When I arrived, the cost was 300 000 tenge, now this amount is about 600 000. And it's cheap compared to other European countries. You can get an education for free if you study in Polish.
Our University also provided a discount for first-year students. In the first week, we had an IQ test in Russian or English. How well you pass this test depends on how much discount you get. For example, the first two people received a discount of 100 %. I got a 50% discount and half of my tuition was paid by the University.
Then you can get discounts based on your GPA — average score, as well as for active participation in the life of the University. I've gotten one a few times, and the biggest one was also about 50 %. If you close the semester without retaking, you also get a small discount of 5-10 %, you can go to additional lectures, take more books in the library and even go to the SPA at the University. Therefore, the University encourages you to learn well. Also, a big plus is that the fee can be divided and paid in parts every month.
The most amazing thing was that we didn't have to attend all the lectures. The teachers drop the materials off at the post office, and you can study all the houses. I think it's a big plus because it saves you time and you can learn even more on your own.
I got a 50% discount and half of my tuition was paid by the University
An interesting fact is that every year we have a day of Kazakhstan at the University. It is organized by a group of students from Kazakhstan. The University allocates money for food, and we prepare national dishes and treats. This allows other nationalities to learn more about Kazakhstan and Kazakh culture.
I think Poland is good for education because of its accessibility. Also, the way of life here is similar to life in our country.
About student life
If you are an independent person, then no difficulties should arise. But many of the students come back because they miss their parents and can't live on their own. Living without parents in another country is a completely different experience than living at home. It turns your world and worldview. And, of course, it is important to be financially competent, to be able to manage money.
I think living in Poland is inexpensive, especially since I do not live in the capital. Rzeszow is a small campus. Now I am waiting for a diploma and work in an international company. My salary is enough to pay for education, apartment, food and rest. In Europe, everything is close, and I can freely travel to neighboring countries.
My salary is enough to pay for education, apartment, food and rest
I still do not know where I will live in the future. First I want to defend my diploma and then get more experience abroad. And, of course, to return to Kazakhstan and contribute to the development of this sphere in our country.
Alua Zhaukenova, 18, hometown — Pavlodar, student at Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
About admission
I started thinking about studying abroad in the tenth grade. I chose the Czech Republic because it is the safest and cleanest country in the center of Europe.
Before you go to University in the Czech Republic, you need to pass nostrification. Nostrification is a confirmation of the certificate of maturity. Exams start in January. I entered the specialty "business administration" in English, for this I passed English and mathematics. Everyone entered the exam class one by one, there were a lot of people, queues, a lot of competition.
Nostrification is a confirmation of the certificate of maturity
About education
The first year at the University I studied Czech. And I think this is a big plus because the Czechs speak only their native language, they are great patriots. I studied at individual language courses, and the learning process there is organized in a completely different way. Teachers are kind and interested in teaching. But at the same time no one messes with you, and if you do not learn, it's only your problems.
Our University is divided into three: economic, agricultural and technical. The hostels are nearby. It's convenient.
If we talk about the cost of education, the training in the Czech language in the Czech Republic is free. And this is a quality European education.
About student life
Many students I know can't stand being so far away from home and family. Plus we have four hours of difference with Kazakhstan, and it is also not very convenient.
Apartments in Prague are expensive, so students usually try to rent apartments together. Most students live in dormitories. The food takes a little money, the products are not very expensive. Also, it is convenient to travel, as the Czech Republic is located in the center of Europe.
Also, it is convenient to travel, as the Czech Republic is located in the center of Europe
After graduation, I plan to return to Kazakhstan and direct all the knowledge that I get here to the development of our country.
Dean Dzhuzbaeva, 23 years old, hometown - Astana, student at Universitatea din București
About admission
I decided that I would study abroad many years ago when I started thinking about higher education. Initially, I wanted to enter the bachelor's degree, but won a grant in Kazakhstan and decided to stay at home and then enter the master's degree. I managed to enter the University of Bucharest for free. I received a grant from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania.
When I was studying for a bachelor's degree, I went to Romania for academic mobility. And I chose this country for further education because it seemed to be friendly. I was comfortable here, Romania has a wonderful warm climate, and for me, it is a huge plus.
The process of admission was simple, it was only necessary to collect documents and portfolio. I was always active, I had a good level of English, plus I already studied in Romania, so it went easy. I prepared the documents, came to the Embassy of Romania and was interviewed. About six months waited for the answer, and in the summer I learned that I matriculated.
I was always active, I had a good level of English, plus I already studied in Romania, so it went easy
About education
My program consists of two parts. In the first year, you are required to pass the preparatory course of the Romanian language. After that, we commit ourselves to study only in Romanian. I am now completing my first year of master's degree in international relations.
I was lucky to study at two of the top universities in Romania. I studied Romanian at the University Babes-Bolyai in Cluj-Napoca. And now I am taking a master's degree at the University of Bucharest.
The education system here is a little different, you don't have to attend all the classes, and it won't affect your final grade. When this happens, you realize that it is necessary only for you, and it motivates to go to class.
First of all, I was surprised by the system of exams. Each Professor chooses his own system: essay, oral exam, written or test. My favorite subject of diplomacy was a Professor who graduated from Oxford. She came up with her own system of passing the exam in the form of five stages. We passed five exams in two months, and it was not easy. All lectures were in English, and in practical classes, we performed in Romanian. We were immediately told that there will be no concessions for foreigners. And it's great, because we tried and worked hard to understand everything, and I was able to prove to myself that I can learn on a par with those students who speak Romanian from birth.
The great advantage of my University that it provides many international programs for its students, even for foreign students. I Soon I will start studying in Portugal under the program "Erasmus", and I will study there for free.
I also have a small scholarship-75 euros per month. Students are allocated a hostel, different discounts. Undergraduates and Ph.D. Students have the opportunity to work.
There are not so many Kazakh students in Romania, because this is not the first country to choose for education. But this is something new, and I have nothing to complain about in my training. I like it here.
About student life
I think studying abroad is a big school of adult life. This is not the same as living with parents or in another city in Kazakhstan. When you do not know anything about the country, city, people, and you begin to have problems, you need to somehow solve all domestic issues. This is an important experience.
There are also difficulties in the fact that you are faced with a completely different mentality. Many of the points to which you are frowned upon, you will gradually start to perceive simpler. You understand that all people are different, and do not hesitate to be yourself. And it is difficult for an ordinary young man from Kazakhstan to perceive it.
I live in a hostel for free, but it is possible to rent a room for about 100-200 euros. The apartment can be rented for 300-400 depending on the location. Compared to Kazakhstan, more money is spent on food, but much less than in other European countries. And I'm used to a kind of Romanian cuisine.
From Bucharest, there are several buses that go to Bulgaria, Istanbul, Odessa, where you can relax on the Black Sea
Rest here is also inexpensive. In Romania, there is free transport, for example, anywhere in Romania, students can take the train for free. Romania is a country that is divided into three parts. And the most famous is Transylvania. There are many unusual places, ancient castles. From Bucharest, there are several buses that go to Bulgaria, Istanbul, Odessa, where you can relax on the Black Sea. The only thing is, Romania is not included in the Schengen area, and you need to do a visa to travel.
