Leader of the group is a foreigner? Everything is possible in BNTU!

Especially for Times BNTU readers we found the very first and the only foreign headmen of a study group, Nursahadov Nursahat (Atashka). The same guy from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, a 3rd year student of the Sports and Technical Faculty. Among other things, he is officially the head of the group 11904116.

What did we find out from the interview?

Nursakhat graduated from school in 2013, after that he got a job as a waiter, then as a cashier and later he worked as a cook.

How have you entered BNTU?

My story began the day when my sister got married. My uncle noticed my potential and told my mum: "Let's send him to study abroad".

The choice of a place where I can get a decent education was open to discussion. We were looking for a good country, which universities’ diplomas are appreciated abroad and Belarus is the most appropriate one. Furthermore, my cousin have been studying here. We were considering fee-paying education, but then by chance I heard about a special university that can help to study for free. Well, it’s not completely free - my state pays for me. The whole family liked the idea. At that time I didn’t even think I will be studying at BNTU.

I found out about an engineering degree to get at the best technical university in Belarus. Just like all youth, I started to google where it is and what BNTU is like. When I realized that I could study in the center of Minsk, I felt lucky and extremely happy.

I faced a lot of fears

Nothing is smooth in our life: people warned me that education is difficult and strict here in Belarus and in the nearest future I’ll be expelled. The person who convinced me not to give up was my mother. “You always loved to study, you can handle it”, she said. As you can see now, she was right. I’m a third year student and I have never been on the verge of expulsion.

Path of development

After arriving in Minsk in October (not September because the invitation was a bit late), I was met by the former deputy dean Gorodkovets Sergey Valerievich. He booked me a minibus, it was very nice (smiles).

I moved in the 15th dormitory where most of the students were foreigners. They told me that studying is enormously difficult in BNTU. To be honest, I was scared. Therefore, couldn't keep my brain from worrying and failed the very first exam. I still remember this engineering schedule. One of my classmates helped me to prepare for the re-test and I am still grateful to her. We started to communicate well after that. She was the leader of our group and some time later she offered me to become her deputy.

Recently, she has decided to transfer to the Automotive and Tractor Faculty, and I have been fulfilling her duties for 3 months. Then a meeting was organized, the question on the table was my position. Most of those present were against me being a headman. They said that foreign students, especially those studying on a paid basis, could not perform such duties. However, I told them I was studying on a budgetary basis. Then I asked the Vice-Rector: “Can I be a headman?” He agreed, and since then I am officially responsible for my group.

Why do I like to be a headman?

The main reason is the motivation to study better. In comparison with the first year, my grade point average has considerably increased. The more I learn, the more I crave to acquire knowledge.

As so often happens in life, not everyone was satisfied with me being the leader. There were those who envied me. But it’s ok. When I worked in a cafe, I met good people as well as I met bad people – I just got used to it. During the year, it became clear to me that my group is great. If some of my classmates passes an exam better than me I'm glad for them. After all, their grades affect the rating of the entire group and these people are doing their best to study well.

Are foreigners overstated regarding assessment?

No, that is not true, everyone is assessed by their knowledge. In our group there are four foreign students and everyone is assessed differently. Once our professor asked me with great curiosity: "How come you have such a good command of the Russian language?" Some professors praise my handwriting sometimes. I am proud of my handwriting even when I write in Russian. Still it’s nice to hear such things.

Love for the Russian language from an early age

Russian is almost my native language. I spent most of my childhood playing games in the yard with Russians, a lot of them were living in my neighborhood.  In a secondary school, I had very good teachers of Russian. One day my Russian language teacher called my mum and said: "Your son loves to study, send him abroad so that he gets higher education". When I returned home after the first year in BNTU, I met her and said that her faith and support helped me a lot.

My life is active

Concerning public life at the faculty, I am always happy prove myself or to help in some matters. For example, last year we participated in Spring-BNTU. I was offered a small episode in a play. I agreed and did not regret it, despite the fact that the role was not significant. Moreover, once I took part in a music competition. I'm still ashamed to remember that as I haven’t hit a single note (laughs). Still, the whole audience applauded me. It’s been a pleasure.

After graduating, I want to return home to Ashgabat. As I am a Muslim, family is the most significant thing for me. Especially my mother, who worries about me and wants me to be at home more frequently.

How can one become a headman?

Be a good person, tend to study and acquire knowledge. As a result, more ways to succeed in life will open for you. Love your studies and respect not only yourself, but also everyone who want to grow.

Перевела Лахцутко Полина, студент БНТУ – ФТУГ