When I first joined the MSF program at Nazarbayev University, I had just moved abroad and changed my major. Everything felt new — studying fully in English, learning finance terminology, working with data, preparing for quizzes. I came from a non-economics background, and I remember feeling overwhelmed at the beginning.
I still recall running my very first regression analysis. I wasn’t sure where to start. What made the difference was the support system around me. My professor was incredibly patient and never made me feel disadvantaged because of my background. Instead, he encouraged me to keep improving.
My classmates were equally supportive. Many of them had strong foundations in economics and mathematics, yet they were always willing to help. I remember one classmate spending nearly an hour walking me through regression step by step. Every small milestone felt like a shared achievement.
Within just two months, I went from having no experience with Stata to independently writing code and conducting my own analyses — even earning full marks on quizzes. That transition from uncertainty to confidence was transformative. The MSF program not only strengthened my technical skills but also helped me believe in myself.
Beyond academics, the program also provided international exposure. One of the highlights was participating in the London School of Economics Summer School in London — an opportunity that broadened my academic perspective and cultural experience.
Looking back, MSF was more than a degree. It was an environment that quietly builds resilience, competence, and confidence.