Academic Background & Study Abroad Goals

My name is Diana Yusupova. I am originally from Turkmenistan, a country in Central Asia that borders the Caspian Sea. Turkmenistan is known for its deep cultural heritage and strong community values, one of which is education. Growing up there shaped my perspective and motivation to look for educational opportunities. Regarding my high school education, I completed my secondary education at a Turkmen public high school. As a kid, I was very curious and wanted to explore more about the world. I also liked to ask a lot of questions and grasp new information quickly. When I went to school, I liked science and truly enjoyed all the relevant classes. Consequently, this led me to develop an interest in STEM. For this reason, when it came to thinking about my higher education, I decided to pursue STEM fields and chose Chemical Engineering as my major. Moreover, I had three main reasons why I decided to pursue my higher education overseas. To begin with, I have always been interested in visiting places and learning about new cultures, and studying in a different country meant the realization of those experiences. Secondly, for me, it was about stepping out of my comfort zone. Last but not least, I preferred overseas education because, to me, international education seems like a strong foundation for the future, as you learn to think globally and communicate with people from different backgrounds.

The reasons why I chose UTP in Malaysia

I chose Malaysia because it offers good quality higher education. Many universities in Malaysia follow global standards and offer internationally recognized degrees. Moreover, Malaysia is also very multicultural. It is a place where people from different cultures, religions, and backgrounds live together, which creates a welcoming environment for international students. As for why I chose the University of Technology Petronas, it was one of my dream universities. It is ranked as the number one private research university in Malaysia. Other reasons were its outstanding engineering programs, opportunities like access to strong industry connections, and a high rate of employability after graduation. Besides Malaysia, I considered the U.S. as my alternative country. However, due to the visa restrictions going on recently, I didn't end up going to the U.S.

The Application Structure, Stats & Tuition Fees

Although I didn't utilize specific Borderless tools in my application, I consider it to be a valuable resource that provided me with informational and motivational content, like the international stories on the platform. In particular, it helped me to understand the process much better and stay focused on my goal of studying abroad by showing the stories of students who are now at universities, which makes opportunities feel more achievable.

Currently, I am taking a foundation year, which is required for international students to complete.

The tuition costs are around $5,000 to $7,000 a year. It also depends on what accommodation you are taking. For the undergraduate program, it costs nearly $10,000 a year. Unfortunately, UTP didn't offer any financial aid or merit scholarships to international students. So, I am a self-funded student here.

My major study and university life

As a foundation student, I am taking courses that are meant to prepare students for undergraduate studies. There are three trimesters in a year. Right now, I am taking first-semester courses like moral studies, thinking skills, structured algorithms, programming, and technical English. Also, I have a co-curriculum which is similar to the electives that you can choose from a list of available courses. Second and third trimester courses include math, chemistry, and physics.

Before our semester officially started, the university organized an orientation week for all incoming students. During orientation, we got a chance to meet and connect with other students and make friends before the classes started. We also had engaging sessions where we learned about university structure, connected with current students and alumni, and received valuable information that will help us in our academics and life at UTP.  Foundation students are not allowed to work officially. Therefore, the best strategic advice to students in managing finances would be financial literacy and avoiding impulsive purchases.

Honors, Extracurriculars, and Programs

• Participant and winner of Science Olympiads at different levels

• Volunteer at the National Society of the Red Crescent of Turkmenistan

• Participated in Technovation Girls Challenge

• Alumna of the FLEX Student Exchange Program

• Member of the Varsity Volleyball during my stay in the U.S.

Final Suggestion for Students Who Plan to Study Abroad

If students would like to study abroad, I could share this advice about how to make this process smoother and less stressful. For that, I would say to be proactive and start thinking about the application way before it even starts. Because, for example, in high school, try to reflect on what your interests are and what fields you might be potentially pursuing. Then try to build your profile by joining extracurricular activities, doing projects, and volunteering. This will make your application look more put-together. Also, I would recommend searching for universities early and making your college list based on what fits you. Ultimately, it will help you to make a more thoughtful decision. To conclude, be determined about your decision to study abroad and start early; it will be easier to show who you really are.