My name is Gaukhar Meiram, and I’m from Almaty, Kazakhstan. I graduated from Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Almaty, specifically the physics and mathematics direction, and I’m currently a junior at NYU Abu Dhabi.
My major is Social Research and Public Policy, which combines social science, policy-making, governance, and research. Alongside my major, I also have two minors: Legal Studies, which is similar to a pre-law track, and Music.
Even though my academic path now is centered around social science and policy, my interest in studying abroad started much earlier. As a child, I lived in the United States with my mother for a year because of her work. That was where I first started learning English and became exposed to different global perspectives. Looking back, I think that experience made me curious about what existed beyond the environment I already knew.
Why NYU Abu Dhabi?
I was not completely sure about studying abroad at first, but NYU Abu Dhabi became the university that made the idea feel right. What attracted me most was the global structure of the university. Through NYUAD, students can study in different parts of the world, take short-term courses abroad, and access the wider NYU network.
NYU Abu Dhabi was my first choice from the beginning. While many students around me were focused on Ivy League universities, I wanted to choose a school that was still highly prestigious but felt more realistic for my profile and goals.
Another major reason was the community. At the time I was applying, there were already many students from Kazakhstan at NYUAD, which made me feel safer and more comfortable. There was a strong Kazakh and Central Asian presence on campus, including a Central Asian club, so I knew I would not feel completely disconnected from home.
At the same time, NYUAD offered a highly international environment. I could be surrounded by people from Kazakhstan and Central Asia while also meeting students from all over the world. For me, that balance felt like a win-win situation.
Academic Profile & Standardized Testing
I was definitely not one of those students who started preparing for university applications in ninth or tenth grade. I procrastinated for as long as I could.
My first major step was preparing for the SAT in 11th grade, which is already relatively late. My English was strong, so I did not prepare much for IELTS. I took it once and received an 8.5. For the SAT, I scored 1530 on my second attempt.
Regarding academics, I had a strong GPA and graduated with Altyn Belgi. I think my academic profile played a very important role in my application. My honors were also mostly academic, including research competitions, online Olympiads, and the British Biology Olympiad, where I received silver.
However, I do not think NYUAD evaluates applicants based on one number. The admissions process is holistic. Strong grades and scores help, but universities also look at context, extracurriculars, essays, and the overall picture. A student may have slightly weaker grades but a very strong personal story, unusual achievements, or meaningful extracurriculars.
Application Process & Personal Statement
I began researching universities seriously during the summer before 11th grade. Around that time, I joined the NYUAD University Prep Program, which was designed for students interested in applying to NYU Abu Dhabi. Through that program, I learned more about the university’s values and what kind of applicants they were looking for.
The main themes I tried to show in my application were academic accomplishment, cultural awareness, and the desire to contribute to the world. These ideas may sound broad, but they were also closely connected to my own life.
My personal statement focused on my childhood experience in the United States and how it shaped the way I understood culture, my identity, and representation. I wrote about being from Kazakhstan and encountering people who had no real understanding of where I came from. That experience made me think about how Central Asia is often underrepresented or misunderstood internationally.
Through my essay, I wanted the admissions committee to see that I was not only applying for opportunities abroad, but also hoping to represent where I came from more thoughtfully.
Besides NYUAD, I only applied to two other universities: the University of British Columbia and KAIST in Korea. I had initially planned to apply to many more universities, but after receiving my NYUAD acceptance through Early Decision, I decided not to continue with regular applications. In that sense, my application process was much less stressful than many other students’ experiences. I got into my first-choice university early, so I did not have to go through a long regular decision season.
Extracurricular Activities & Honors
My extracurricular profile was mostly academic and research-focused. I interned at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, where I helped with translation and worked with academic publication processes. That gave me early exposure to an academic environment and showed my interest in research-related work.
I also included my Global Perspectives research from 11th grade because I eventually published it. Another activity I highlighted was assisting my mother during conferences, where I translated from Kazakh into English in real time. I had been doing that from a young age, so it felt like a meaningful part of my background.
I was also involved in student government, the school journal, Model United Nations, and some volunteering. However, looking back, I do not think all of my activities were equally meaningful. Some of them were done mainly because I thought they would look good on an application.
My strongest activities were the ones connected to academics, research, language, and cultural communication. Combined with my essay, they created a profile that was more academic and culturally focused.
If I Could Do Something Differently
If I could go back, I would be more honest about my interests. In my application, I presented myself as someone deeply interested in research. At the time, that made sense because my profile included research-related activities and academic honors. But after three years in college, I have not done much research, and I do not think I want to be an academic for the rest of my life.
I wish I had included more of my genuine passions, such as songwriting and music. Those interests were a more honest reflection of who I was, but I did not emphasize them enough because I was focused on building a strong academic profile.
I also think I could have done fewer activities just for the sake of my resume. Some volunteering experiences or extracurriculars did not add much to my story because they were not deeply connected to me. If I had focused more on what I truly cared about, my application might have reflected my character more accurately.
That is one thing I would tell applicants now: do not build your application only around what sounds impressive. If something genuinely matters to you, even if it seems unrelated to your intended major, it can still be worth including.
Campus Life at NYU Abu Dhabi
My first impression of NYU Abu Dhabi was very positive. The community is relatively small compared to large universities with tens of thousands of students. NYUAD has only a few thousand students, so people tend to know each other, and the campus feels close-knit.
The physical campus is also very comfortable. Everything is contained in one space: classrooms, dorms, libraries, dining halls, stores, and student facilities. The campus feels like its own bubble, which can be both comforting and limiting.
On the one hand, it feels extremely safe. Abu Dhabi itself is known for being very secure, and the campus environment adds to that sense of comfort. On the other hand, because everything is so contained, students can become sheltered from the city around them. You have to intentionally go outside campus and explore Abu Dhabi if you want to experience more than student life.
During my freshman year, I was part of the sports department of the student government, where we helped manage events connected to the gym and sports facilities. In my sophomore year, I became more involved in the Central Asian Club. The club introduces Central Asian culture to the broader student body through food, events, traditions, and educational activities. For me, it was important to bring a part of home into campus life.
This year, I focused more on my own sustainability project. I organized a no-plastic challenge where students could participate and win reusable bottles. It was a small but meaningful way to encourage more sustainable habits on campus.
Studying Away: Los Angeles, New York, and J-Terms
One of the main reasons many students are attracted to NYU Abu Dhabi is the opportunity to study across the NYU global network. However, it is important to understand how that system actually works.
Most non-STEM majors can study away twice during their time at NYUAD, which means two full semesters. In addition, students can take J-Terms, which are short two- or three-week intensive courses. These can happen in Abu Dhabi or in other locations around the world.
For my J-Terms, I went to Los Angeles, Istanbul, and stayed in Abu Dhabi for one. Some students use J-Terms to explore places like Buenos Aires, Berlin, Seoul, Nepal, or Accra. J-Terms are especially valuable because they are fully funded by the university, even for students who are not on a full scholarship.
My first full study-away semester was in Los Angeles. I had visited LA before during J-Term and liked it so much that I wanted to spend an entire semester there. The LA campus is very different from Abu Dhabi. It is much smaller, almost like an office building, with only a few classrooms and event spaces. Since it is located in Hollywood, most of the classes focus on entertainment, film, music, production, writing, or directing.
As a Social Research and Public Policy major, I initially felt a bit of imposter syndrome. Most students around me were connected to entertainment fields, while I was approaching it from a social science perspective. Fortunately, I found classes related to social research in the entertainment industry, so it still became a good fit.
My second study-away semester is in New York. NYU New York is completely different from both Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles. There is no traditional campus. Instead, NYU buildings are spread across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Because of that, the student experience feels much more individualistic. People take classes, go home, explore the city, or follow their own routines. There is less of a unified campus community.
Still, I really enjoy living in New York. It is one of my favorite cities, even though it feels much busier and more intense than the other places I have studied.
Out of all the campuses I have experienced, Abu Dhabi is still my favorite. When students apply to universities, they usually focus on prestige, academics, majors, and career outcomes. But people often forget to think about daily life: dorms, facilities, safety, and comfort.
How Global Education Changed My Perspective
Studying in different cities changed the way I understand both myself and the world. It taught me to be more open-minded, to respect other cultures, and to value preserving my own culture as well.
Traveling also helped me become more socially confident. I used to have strong social anxiety, but constantly moving between new environments forced me to approach people, adapt, and become more comfortable with unfamiliar situations.
The experience also helped me understand what kinds of communities I fit into. I realized that I really enjoy the work ethic and lifestyle of the West Coast, especially Los Angeles. It feels more relaxed and less rushed compared to the East Coast, where everyone seems constantly busy and moving quickly.
Because of that, I could see myself applying to graduate school on the West Coast in the future, and maybe even exploring something connected to the entertainment industry. Being exposed to different places opened up more possibilities for what I might want to do next.
What Applicants Should Know
One thing I wish I had known before applying is that NYU Abu Dhabi does not have the strongest alumni network for career support after graduation. If you expect to meet many NYUAD graduates who can directly help you get a job, that may not always be the case. The network exists, but it is not as powerful as at some older universities.
Another important thing for current applicants is financial aid. NYUAD used to offer more full-ride scholarships to international students, but the situation has changed. Financial aid has become more limited, and students who apply now need to think about affordability more carefully than students in previous years did.
At the same time, I would still encourage students to apply if NYUAD feels like a strong fit. The university remains an incredible place for academic flexibility, global education, and international community.
Advice for Applicants
My biggest advice is to focus on what you genuinely love.
You do not need to force yourself into one perfect applicant type. You can be well-rounded, and that is completely fine. But if there is something you have cared about for several years, something you have put real time and energy into, then that is worth showing in your application, even if it is not directly related to your intended major.
Applicants should also remember that at NYUAD, all first-year students enter as undecided. You do not need to have your whole academic path figured out before applying. Students are encouraged to explore different fields during the first year, and they can usually switch majors until around the spring of sophomore year.
That flexibility is one of the strongest parts of NYUAD. You can take classes across different disciplines, test your interests, and change direction without feeling trapped.
Looking back, I think the strongest application is not necessarily the one that looks the most polished. It is the one that feels honest and connected to who you actually are.
NYU Abu Dhabi gave me the opportunity to study in different cities, meet people from all over the world, and most importantly understand myself more clearly. But perhaps the biggest lesson I learned is that your university journey does not have to follow one fixed plan. You are allowed to explore and discover new versions of yourself along the way.
