My name is Zhanna. I’m a happy participant of the SUSI Program on Women’s Leadership 2017. This program exists not the first year, but it is the first year KAZGUU students participate in it. Furthermore, it is fully funded by the U.S. Department of State. Selective process for the program was not short and not easy. It all started in January, when I received a call from my French professor (I have thanked her so many times since then). She said that there was a program established by the U.S. Government and that I should have applied. So I did. I did my best with having my documents done until the deadline (I must note; it was quite a challenge). I tried to show my best during the internal interview. I received many valuable pieces of advice from my professors. I passed through the embassy interview. In March, when I got a congratulation letter from the US Embassy representative, I did not believe it. It was hard to realize that just being myself could bring me to the win. So here I am. Among the “Cool Five” selected from the whole Kazakstan. Happy and unbelievably excited. Getting ready to the onemonth trip to the USA.

To conclude, I would like to thank all the people who supported me — I appreciate you a lot! I am so happy to have all of you by my side. I would also like to give my own piece of advice to KAZGUU students: be proactive. May be you do not see opportunities, because your eyes are closed. Get out of your comfort zone, try new, and never be afraid of failures.