Hello, everyone!

My name is Mirasbek and I'm currently studying at Northwestern University in Chicago, USA. I came to the US through the Bolashak scholarship program and this is the second year of my studies.

I was asked by a friend to start a blog here so people interested in studying abroad can get useful information and survival tips for studying abroad. So, this is the end of my introduction. Now real stuff :)

The most important and usually deciding factor in applying to study abroad is the money issue. Luckily, Kazakhstan government provides financial support for the talented youth to study in numerous countries abroad, however recently they changed that for students in Science/Engineering. So, what if you want to study abroad and experience the culture of a different country, but you are short of money? There is a solution!

First, most universities (at least in the US) provide extensive financial aid for talented students, but usually these programs are limited to American students. However, top schools (like Harvard, MIT, etc.) actually cover all of your financial expenses as long as you get in. Another way of paying for your college is to apply for grants and scholarships that can be found worldwide. Most of these scholarships and grants are usually very competitive, but it is worth a shot. And then, there is another, easier way to get funds for your education. Find a rich relative, ask him to support you and promise that you will take care of him when he/she gets old ;)

Anyway, if you guys have questions, you are welcome to post comments. I'll try to update this blog at least biweekly.

PS. You might wonder why I didn't write this post in Kazakh or Russian... Well, if you are thinking about going abroad any time soon, your ability to speak English should be at the level that allows you to read this comfortably and understand the text. I don't want to sound as a prude, but this is very essential.

PSS. If you don't know English that well, there's always Google translate.

Peace,

Mirasbek