🇰🇿 As part of our #successstory series, we spoke with Togzhan Zhubanysh — a 2nd-year student at the School of International Relations from Kazakhstan and the Head of the Kazakh Students’ Club at MGIMO. Togzhan is studying English and Arabic, and dedicates her free time to various student activities. 🌐 Two of the main factors that influenced her choice of MGIMO were its strong academic foundation and the high standard of language teaching: When choosing a university, it was important for me to get a quality education in the field of international relations. I decided to study in Russia — our countries have always been connected by close ties and a shared history, which made Russia feel closer to my heart. MGIMO is one of the leading universities with a strong academic foundation and a high standard of language teaching. Now, after two years of studying, I can say: my choice has fully paid off. 🔎 What surprised you most about the university? I was amazed by how rich student life is at MGIMO. More than 20 student organizations bringing together over a 1000 participants, interesting events and meetings with famous people every week. Students are regularly given the opportunity to visit various state institutions, such as the State Duma and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Many applicants know about MGIMO’s high academic standards, but they don’t always realize how many opportunities the university offers outside the classroom. ⚡️ Togzhan is not just an active participant in student life — she is a true leader: she heads the Kazakh Students’ Club at MGIMO. We organize various events, take part in university initiatives, and maintain connections among Kazakh students. It is especially important to help 1st-year students adapt to their new environment so they feel part of the community. This spring, together with other student associations, we celebrated Nauryz. Events like this help us stay connected to our native culture and create a sense of home even far from our homeland. ✒️ What advice would you give to students from Kazakhstan and other countries who are planning to apply to MGIMO? From your first years, take an interest in exchange programs, internships, and projects — there are so many here. Don’t be afraid of difficulties. Studying requires discipline, but the knowledge and experience are worth it. Be active, open to new things, and confident in your choice. ❤️ We thank Togzhan for an engaging conversation and hope that her experience helps you see MGIMO not just as a university, but as a place where you can grow, make friends, and not be afraid to shine! Learn more about MGIMO on our website. 🌐 MGIMO International (ENG) / МГИМО для иностранцев (RUS)