As another generation of business school students conclude their studies, we ask them to reflect on Graduation Day and the lifelong impact of their studies…

• Name: Karlygash Mukanova
• Institution: Nazarbayev University
• Degree: BA in World Languages, Literatures and Cultures

How does participating in a graduation ceremony help you emotionally mark the end of your student journey and prepare for what’s next?

My graduation ceremony helped me reflect on my journey as an undergraduate student at Nazarbayev University and emotionally conclude this chapter of my life.

Creative videos and inspiring speeches of students and special guests during the ceremony reminded me of my achievements, struggles, and dear friends I made at NU.

I teared up a little, but these were tears of joy and pride. Now, as my studies at NU are over, I look forward to my new life as a master’s student in Korea. 

What does it mean to you to be recognized publicly for your learning and accomplishment – and who do you feel you’re representing as you cross the stage?

Being from a state school in Astana, I was taught to settle for less. Being accepted to NU sounded like a dream that was never meant to come true, but here we are, graduating with Summa Cum Laude from the best university in Central Asia.

“As I walked the stage to get my red diploma, I was representing those high school students who were told that they were not enough.”

-Karlygash Mukanova

This accomplishment shows that one’s background never defines their potential and future. So, as I walked the stage to get my red diploma, I was representing those high school students who were told that they were not enough.

Those students, who deep down knew that they should strive for more but were suppressed by their environment.

In a world where learning never really ends, what does ‘graduating’ mean to you – and what kind of impact do you want to make with what you’ve learned?

For me, graduation is a milestone for self-reflection. It is a great moment to appreciate what you had and take the most important lessons from these experiences, while preparing for something new to learn.

I believe this is the right moment to share your journey and lessons with others to motivate them, give advice, and encourage them keep going despite hardships.

“Graduation is a milestone for self-reflection.”

-Karlygash Mukanova

Being an influencer on social media, I strive to share my academic journey with others because, as I continue to grow and learn, I want to help others do the same. 

What is the single most memorable aspect of your studies that you will remember long after graduation? 

I will remember study sessions with my friends. We would retell each other everything we remembered from class materials.

To save time, we could do such revisions in the atrium or even in the cafeteria. Then we would go to the library to quietly work on the shared document that we would use for the next study sessions with the whiteboard in the group study room.

These sessions helped me to understand the material better and bond with people whom I now cherish. This is something I want to remember, as it also shows my passion for learning that I don’t want to lose in the future. 

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