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A Global Mosaic: International Student Experiences

Studying abroad is a life-changing journey, and a university can be crossroads of cultures, friendships, and self-development.  Through the eyes of our current International students, we try to explore some very unique perspectives to choice of country of study, student support services, academic excellence, career opportunities.

Shruti Kushwaha

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Shruti Kushwaha is a first year BSc in Business Information Systems student from India.

For Shruti, a 16-year-old from India pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems, her decision to study in Uzbekistan encapsulated these aspirations and much more.

Shruti's journey began with her desire to step out of her comfort zone. As an introvert, she yearned to meet people from diverse backgrounds, exchange ideas, and gain a global perspective.

"I got the recommendation from my brother’s friend, who operates an educational agency. He said that I would like the country, and that people are hospitable and friendly. So, I applied for it and got an offer letter. As to the country, I think the place is very different and very similar at the same time. My parents were hesitant to send me to the UK, like, because it's far, and they think I'm still young. And from India to Uzbekistan, it only takes three hours to come. So, it was a factor, like, time and traveling."

"When choosing a place to study, I searched for what the environment is like at university and what opportunities are offered. Moreover, I searched for alumni and university website. Uzbekistan offered a unique mix of proximity to home, cultural similarities, and an affordable yet high-quality education system."

Shruti shared that she found a familiar element in the local cuisine—a side dish called somsa, which closely resembles the Indian pastry samosa, typically filled with vegetables.  "Difference in preferences is more significant in that in India, the majority of the population is vegetarian, which is not true for Uzbekistan. So, this is what I find both similarity and difference at the same time. Also, as I live in a dormitory, I cook for myself and prefer spicy food. And when I cooked for a friend of mine, who, to my surprise, found it too much spicy. So, I came to know that what is normal for me is spicy and flavourful for them. We had a festival in India called Makar Sankranti. We celebrated it in a small form, I cooked for my roommates, and I enjoyed it."

 

Shruti is fond of learning new languages and now she is learning Russian and Uzbek. She says that she is more focused on learning the Russian language, but the Uzbek language is slightly ‘tricky’. "Language barriers can be exhausting but also rewarding. Recently I tried to talk to a cashier near my dormitory in Russian. He understood it well, and he responded well, too. It was one of my little but significant achievements related to my adaptation to the place. I was proud of learning something about the culture and meeting people."

Shruti signifies the importance of events such as Culture Day and the students club at university, which help get people together and talk to each other, even by chance. These kinds of events encourage community engagement and foster friendship.

For Shruti, apps like Yandex and translators are essential tools in navigating in the city. Whether arranging transportation, ordering food, or translating conversations, technology bridged gaps and eased her daily life. These tools highlight the modern conveniences available to international students, making a foreign land feel a bit more like home.

‘The best thing living about Tashkent for me is the weather. Because I'm a very big fan of winter. Since I'm from the northern side of my country and we don't get snow here. So, as soon as I saw the snow, oh, my God, it's snowing. I was very delighted. It was my first time seeing snow. But apart from that, it's a very comfortable environment. You don't feel left out of the place. Even if you go outside and you don't know the language of the locals, even if you just direct them in broken English, they will still try their best to help you. I think transportation is also convenient, really, and inconvenient, too, because you can get the Yandex taxi easily, but you must direct the driver, which is a whole new adventure… because neither I am, nor the driver is understanding what we are talking about. So, everything has their own pros and cons.’

Shruti’s journey in Uzbekistan has not only broadened her horizons but also strengthened her ambitions. She dreams of pursuing her master’s degree in Germany, inspired by interactions with exchange students and the university's diverse opportunities. Her story highlights how international education shapes global citizens, equipping them with the skills, perspectives, and confidence to make a difference.

‘To be honest, like, my father was cool and supportive, like, you go and don't worry about anything. But my mother was worried. My father and my cousin came here with me for the first week to settle me down. They tried to tell me, like, if you use this app, you can travel. If you use this, you can go to Safia, the bakery. And that's helpful because I, to be honest, was anxious. As soon as I stepped onto the airplane to travel, I was shaking from top to bottom. I think my family was really, really motivated for me to study abroad, which I think is useful for me because I think now, I have an opportunity to make my family proud.’

What about you? Where will your journey take you?

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