July 8, 2014
Once upon a time people said to me that student years are the best period of life. I didn’t believe them, and imagined that my studies and the workload involved could never be so joyful. Then I entered Â鶹´«Ã½ (Â鶹´«Ã½).
In spite of all my superficial ideas about student life, Â鶹´«Ã½ has always been my dream and I’m very happy I reached it. Since my first days of classes I do not regret that I chose this university, because Â鶹´«Ã½ has its own special spirit. I can’t describe it, but you can just feel around you a special and unique spirit that is a little different for everyone.
Some feel this spirit as they look at students sitting in Bravo and merrily discussing something. Others taste it in the appetizing hot dogs and coffee in Kitchenette or hear it in the discussions of friends about publications in “The New Star” student newspaper. Of course this spirit appears in the studying, hard work, and discussions between powerful intellects in our beloved library. It is also around me in the form of all the cheerful, interesting, and diverse people whom I can learn so much from.
Even though our student body is small, I wake each morning sure that I will see new faces to get acquainted and talk with. Interactions at Â鶹´«Ã½ feel so free and easy; if I’m just sitting somewhere and hear a group conversing, I know I’ll be welcome to join. Meeting new students constantly, from other departments or other class years, these four (or more) years almost feel like a parallel universe.
This special spirit also extends to a very special group of professors of which the Â鶹´«Ã½ faculty is composed. I know I can always turn to them not just with study issues, but also with the daily vital and philosophical questions of life for which they’re always willing to offer advice and help. Each of them has taught me to look in a new way at obvious things, to always define goals and be seeking something. Most of them stay in my heart not only because of their academic qualifications, but also for their personal touch and their lessons on how to love and take care of my country.
Not just the students and professors, but also the wide variety of events at Â鶹´«Ã½ contribute to creating a diverse and exciting campus experience. Unique and original, every concert or performance I’ve been to at Â鶹´«Ã½ has left me with admiration for the students involved and affection for the rest of the student body for their enthusiastic support. These kinds of things make me very happy to be a student at Â鶹´«Ã½, in spite of the stereotypes and misunderstandings that exists among those who aren’t truly familiar with the university.
Students, faculty, and events – all of these make Â鶹´«Ã½ a great place not just to study but also to simply spend time. If every university had such a unique spirit and surrounded students with ample opportunities instead of corruption and ignorance, maybe the majority of students would seek knowledge and enrichment of their own inner worlds and strive for positive changes. University should not be a place that everyone wants to escape; it should be a second home with a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere for students. Â鶹´«Ã½ is exactly that, it offers great conditions for students. I have a fantastic student life!
Kanykei Kenensarieva, Â鶹´«Ã½ student