Background
I’m Klesta, and I’ve always been someone who lives in two different worlds. Back in high school at Xhevdet Doda in Kosovo, I was the girl fascinated by maths and competitions. But I was also the girl with a microphone in her hand, singing and playing the piano. When it came time to look at colleges, I knew I didn't just want a degree. I wanted an experience that would let me keep both of those versions of myself alive while finally getting a taste of real independence.
I’m 19 now, and I’m currently a Mathematics modeling and Data Analytics major in Germany at Constructor University. Making the jump from my parents' house to a new country was exactly the growth spurt I needed. I wanted that classic, US-style campus life where you live and study, but I also wanted to stay relatively close to home. Germany turned out to be the perfect middle ground. It’s only a two-hour flight back home, yet it feels like a completely different world.
Cracking the Code of Admissions
The application process was a lesson in endurance. I started prepping in the 11th grade, and I decided to tackle the SAT first because I knew the English section would be a challenge. I actually took the SAT twice. The first time I poured all my energy into the math section, and the second time I focused on English. By the time I was done, I had a super score of 1500, with a 780 in math and a 720 in English.
After the SAT, I moved on to the TOEFL. My strategy was a bit unconventional. I used all the standard online resources, but I also spent days just walking around my house, talking to myself in English to get comfortable. It worked, and I ended up with a 111 out of 120. When it came to my GPA, I was a 5.0 student, though I had to get those grades officially notarized and converted for the German system. It wasn't as hard as I expected; you just need to find the right professionals to handle the paperwork.
Bringing Art to the Application
One thing I really worried about was how to present myself. I had all these math awards and volunteering hours with the mathematical society, but I didn't want to just be a list of numbers. In my essays, I wrote about the bridge between being an artistic person and a math lover. I talked about how singing and music actually relate to the way I think about science.
If I could go back and talk to my 17-year-old self, I’d tell her to stop being such a perfectionist. I spent so much time obsessing over every single word in my essays that it became exhausting. It’s good to care, but at some point, you have to just trust your voice and hit submit. You never have as much time as you think you do.
Life on Campus at Constructor
I chose Constructor University because it’s an international bubble right in the heart of Germany. Everything is taught in English, so I didn't have to take a gap year to learn German before starting. Plus, the major isn't just pure theory. I’m taking classes in Python, data structures, and computational modeling alongside things like number theory and algebra.
That first week on campus was a whirlwind. I wasn't really anxious, just incredibly excited. The university organizes so many events to help you meet people that you almost forget you're there for school. Then the lectures actually start, and reality hits you. You realize this is the major you’ve wanted forever, and it’s going to be hard work, but everyone around you is in the exact same boat.
Finding My Harmony
I’ve managed to keep my music alive here, too. A friend and I started a band called The Sleepyheads, and we perform at campus events whenever we can. It’s the perfect escape from the intensity of data analytics. I’m also active in the math club on the PR and management side, which keeps me busy.
Living on campus has taught me a lot about people. In the beginning, you hang out with everyone, but eventually, you learn to find your own tribe. You have to decide if you’re here to party every night or if you want to find that balance between studying and having fun. My parents help cover my costs, and the university gave me a half scholarship, which was included automatically when I applied.
Looking ahead, I’m already thinking about a Master’s or even a PhD, maybe in mathematical finance. But for now, I’m just enjoying the life I’ve built here. It’s a mix of a lot of things: math, music, and the freedom I went looking for two years ago. I’m glad I took the leap.
