From Kazakhstan to Jena: Tolybays Experiences

In this episode we get to know the uni ambassador Tolybay Baltaqara. He gives us insights in his live as an international student in Jena. Tolybay Baltaqara is the offical ambassador of the University of Jena in the summer semester 2024. On his blog and on instagram he reports about his experiences as an international student in Jena.  Timestamps: 01:25 What are you studying? 01:40 How long are you now in Jena? 01:50 Why and how did you decide to study in Jena? 02:35 What is an university’s ambassador? 03:20 What was your first impression of Germany and of the city of Jena? 03:53 What did help you preparing and starting your studies? 06:13 What was the best experience so far? 07:20 What were challanges for you and how did you deal with them? 08:00 Would you say that Jena has become your home? 08:15 What is your favorite place in Jena? 09:00 What is your favorite cafeteria/mensa? 09:42 What is your favorite library? 10:20 How did you find new friends? 11:25 What is still on your bucket list for Jena? 12:00 Do you have any advice for people who are also thinking about studying in Jena?  Shownotes:•    Uni Jena Ranking; https://www.uni-jena.de/en/175692/international-rankings  •    International Office contact •    JUBoS – university ambassador scholarship: https://www.uni-jena.de/jubos   o    Tolybay‘s Blog (german): https://www.uni-jena.de/international/studium-in-jena/gute-gruende-fuer-jena/jubos/jubos-tolybay  o    Tolybay‘s Insta-Account: https://www.instagram.com/tolvsh/  •    Events ans Support at the Beginning of Studies: o    Orientations Days: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/34738/orientation-days o    Welcome Days: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/5395/welcome-days  o    Welcome Buddy/Mentoring programme: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/2175/initial-support-for-international-students      Tolybay’s epxerience with his Welcome Buddy (german): https://www.uni-jena.de/261943/welcome-buddy    •    DSH language course in Jena: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/24355/dsh-course  •    Sommerfest: https://www.sommerfest.uni-jena.de/   o    Tolybay‘s post about it: https://www.instagram.com/p/C82WINutO8I/   •    Dining halls ("Mensa") in Jena: https://www.stw-thueringen.de/en/dining-halls/facilities.html   o    Tolybay‘s favorite canteen „Philomensa“: https://www.stw-thueringen.de/en/dining-halls/jena/mensa-philosophenweg.html  •    University libraries in Jena: https://www.thulb.uni-jena.de/en/home   o    Tolybay‘s favorite library „Thulb“: https://www.thulb.uni-jena.de/en/thulb/standorte/arts-and-humanities  •    Unisports Jena: https://www.hochschulsport.uni-jena.de/en  •    Student Job portal: https://www.career.uni-jena.de/en/22/job-portal?block=body-0&dir=430&trail=34#block_body_0