Sabira Baidildina

Hi everyone, I’m Sabira. I’m a graduate of the NU Foundation Year Program (NUFYP), and now I’m studying computer science. I chose to study at Nazarbayev University because it is one of the most progressive universities in Kazakhstan and is also ranked among the best universities in the world. Regarding the NUFYP program, it was a really valuable experience for me as a student. NUFYP truly prepares you for a challenging bachelor’s degree program. For those who graduate from NUFYP, studying for a bachelor’s degree becomes easier because they are already familiar with the learning format, the assessment system, and have built a social network, which helps them find friends in the future. Personally, I was excited about the social life on campus during NUFYP. I participated in creative events at NU, for example, I painted horses on the wall of the Block 2 for Nauryz celebration. But most of all, I enjoyed doing project work. Subjects like Foundations of Leadership and EAP gave us students the opportunity to feel like researchers. I learned how to find academically relevant and useful resources, and how to express my thoughts professionally. I am very proud of my Leadership project, which helped me understand the admission policy for people with special needs. NUFYP was a great start for me—it was like a demo version of real university life. However, NUFYP can also be challenging for students if they don’t invest enough time in it. Therefore, I highly recommend staying focused on studies and being less involved in campus life, as it was one of the main reasons some students couldn’t pass NUFYP. Overall, NUFYP helped me feel more confident in my Bachelor’s course, and it helped me establish strong relationships with the NU community. I recommend this Program to those who want to enter university life with ready-made connections and knowledge.