01.08.2014

I became a winner of Yerzhan Tatishev`s Foundation scholarship in 2012. The Foundation gave me a wonderful opportunity to study in country`s leading university – KIMEP University. At the present time I am the third year student with finance specialization. In spring 2012 I was lucky to study for one semester in Netherlands due to international exchange Program. I was accepted in HAN Arnhem Business School in Arnhem city.

Before the trip my mom worried a lot, even though she has already released me by the exchange program during school years, but this time she saw off me with tears. I has accustomed very quickly, started to derive pleasure from study and was really happy to get such priceless experience. Semester passed quickly and without any problems.

The Netherlands is really beautiful country with rich culture and liberal view. I could manage to visit international flowers festival, take part in King`s day celebration, and even feel the Football Championship atmosphere as the fan of national football team.

The study in this country has totally changed my outlook on the relationships between students and professors. Starting from the first year each student is responsible for himself. The system is built on personal desire to attend the lectures in order to pass the exams successfully. Those, who due to some reasons consider the attending lectures as senseless, are not punished on exams. Trainings which are related to the development of practical skills, such as the ability to hold presentations, conducting negotiations, work with clients and teamwork – they were given a lot of attention and time. Only during one semester I learned a huge range of subjects, which were really interesting. This experience gave me good education, the ability to evaluate situations from the views of different cultures, taught to speak and think on language of international business, and undoubtedly helped to find friends out of 97 students from the most different points of the globe.

During the study process international students had to take part in definite volunteer projects. Together with 5 students from such countries as France, Canada, Hungary and Ireland, we were responsible for Rehema Homa project, Kenya. Rehema Home is a shelter for thrown, exposed to violence, sick and dying children in Kenya. It is bigger than just orphanage: here children are given special care. The aim of the project is to increase world`s young people`s awareness about poor youth in Kenya and to collect financial support within sport events. Our team has organized football tournament among students and collected more than 300 euro on treatment of children.

Summing up the results of this trip, I am very happy that exactly I was lucky to study abroad and get invaluable experience. I want to thank Yerzhan Tatishev`s Foundation and KIMEP University for such great opportunity and for support in achievement of my goals!

Zhanna Zhumagulova,

Winner of Yerzhan Tatishev`s Foundation grant 2012

Third year student of KIMEP University