How Darika Invested Her First Million in Education and Got Admitted to Boston University

Darika Urgazieva, a native of Karakol, grew up absorbing important life lessons and always adhered to the principle: “The world is built on small things.” Inspired by her grandmother, who believed in the power of small steps, Darika progressed from being an outstanding student in school to gaining admission to Boston University in the U.S. Her story exemplifies not only hard work and persistence but also a belief in oneself, which led to her significant achievements. How did Darika earn her first million? How did she secure a grant to UCA? What inspired her to apply to Boston University? What challenges did she face upon arriving in America, and what advice does she have for future students? Discover all this in her interview with Limon Media.

L: Hello, Darika! Can you tell us about your childhood? Where were you born, and which school did you attend?

Hello, and thank you for having me! My name is Darika, and I was born in Karakol, Issyk-Kul region. I attended Gymnasium No. 11. At school, I had what you might call a “top student syndrome” as I took my studies very seriously. I earned high grades in all subjects, but I particularly enjoyed mathematics and English. We had strict but inspiring teachers for these subjects, and they ignited my interest in learning.

I participated in various extracurricular activities such as dance, English clubs, and school parliament, where I served as school president. I led projects and involved friends, which helped me develop organizational skills. In the 10th grade, I spent a year studying in Joshua, Texas, through the FLEX program, and completed the rest of my schooling in Karakol.

L: What or who influenced your choice of career path?

I grew up in a large family and am one of the eldest siblings. I have a brother and five younger brothers and sisters. As the eldest daughter, I carried a lot of responsibilities at home and school. However, my family always supported me, encouraging me to enroll in various courses and seek new knowledge.

The most influential person in my life is my grandmother. From an early age, she instilled discipline and a thirst for knowledge in me, often sending me to English courses. She would buy books, stationery, and anything I needed for my studies. My grandmother is incredibly wise, always giving advice that I try to follow and living up to her expectations. Since my parents were often away, my grandmother taught me everything herself. I was affectionately called “grandma’s daughter.” We are very alike, and I’ve inherited much of her character.

My grandmother worked hard from a young age to become self-sufficient. She is now retired, but she was once a businesswoman. She even supported my mother in working abroad. Of course, my parents also helped and supported me, for which I am deeply grateful.

L: Did you participate in school Olympiads?

I won first place in regional English Olympiads, but due to a heavy workload, I opted out of the national stage.

As I mentioned, I also danced during my school years. I traveled abroad several times to perform in different competitions. I remember going to Turkey at age 10, living with a Turkish family, and communicating with them using gestures. It was a fantastic experience, and I still love dancing.

L: You taught English for some time. Can you share how you started this?

Honestly, teaching was one of my favorite things to do. It was more of a hobby for me. I also worked as a mentor, helping students improve their language skills.

I started teaching English to children after school at age 14. By 18, when I was in my first year of university, I began teaching consistently. My students ranged from children to adults. I taught via Skyeng and later offered private lessons. I worked 8–9 hours daily and continued teaching during the lockdown. I thought, Why not help people learn English and earn money while doing so?

At the time, my education, accommodation, and meals were covered by grant support. I saved most of my earnings in a deposit account because I had a clear goal of studying abroad. My grandmother’s mantra—“The world is built on small things”—guided me. After three years of tutoring, I became a som millionaire by 21. (laughs). I decided to invest the money in my education. Although the savings weren’t enough, my parents and grandmother also contributed to my future education.

L: When did you choose your career path?

When I got into the University of Central Asia (UCA), I was passionate about entering the IT field. I knew it would be challenging. Despite my strong math skills, I realised they wouldn’t suffice. I needed effort, resources, and determination.

At UCA, I was on a scholarship. To maintain it, I had to work tirelessly. Choosing computer science presented a high risk of losing the scholarship, so I chose a less demanding major but took extra IT courses. I graduated in Communications and Media, a fascinating and interdisciplinary field encompassing data analysis and digital marketing connected to IT. Throughout university, I also honed my programming skills.

Before applying to U.S. graduate programs, I spent a year preparing and working at Coca-Cola, a remarkable experience that taught me a lot.

L: When did you realize that you would apply to UCA? Did you prepare for the exams?

I didn’t prepare for the ORT (National Test) because I was planning to apply abroad or to universities that didn’t require the ORT. In Kyrgyzstan, these were AUCA and UCA. I was admitted to both universities, but somehow I was more drawn to UCA. Once, I attended their Winter Camp — I loved everything: the building and the professors. At UCA, I applied for financial support and was granted a 100% scholarship.

L: What were the admission requirements at UCA?

A threshold score for the ORT was required, but more as a formality. The main focus was on an internal test covering mathematics, logic, and English. We also had to write a motivational letter. It turned out that I didn’t know how to write an essay correctly, even though my English was fluent. At first, I received low scores for it. But thanks to my professors and friends, I learned how to structure academic writing. This skill now helps me a lot in studying abroad.

L: What were your student years like? How did you manage your studies?

At first, it was very challenging. I attended a regular school with an average education level, so I lagged behind students who graduated from lyceums. I spent all my free time catching up, waking up early and going to bed late. My friends called me “the early bird.” Thanks to discipline and diligence, I managed to catch up with my peers. By the time I graduated, I was among the top students. At the award ceremony, I was recognized as “The Most Outstanding Graduate.” By the way, education at UCA lasted 5 years: one preparatory year and four undergraduate years.

L: Did you participate in educational internships during your studies?

Yes, UCA has a special program called Co-op education, which helps students find internships, international conferences, and seminars. Thanks to this program, I participated in various conferences organized by the OSCE Academy. One of them was the Central Asian Youth Forum, where young students from neighboring countries gathered to create projects for societal benefit.

My first conference was in Kazakhstan, where we were trained in digital security in the media space. We met like-minded peers, discussed issues, and proposed solutions.

I also volunteered, organizing community clean-ups and teaching math and English to local students and schoolchildren.

L: When did you decide to pursue education abroad?

While still at UCA, I knew I wanted to do a master’s in the United States. It's no secret that education there is top-notch. I took extra courses in mathematics and programming to prepare in advance.

I also interned extensively and worked for free to gain experience. For example, I worked at M-Vector, where I learned to visualize large volumes of data and create surveys — skills vital for digital marketing.

L: How did you start preparing to apply for a master’s program?

I realized that academic knowledge alone wasn’t enough for admission. Experience in internships and organizational activities was also crucial. So, I made an effort to participate in as many internships with different companies as possible. After graduating, I took an additional year to prepare for admission.

During that year, I worked at Coca-Cola, which helped me make a significant career leap. I’m very grateful to the company for that. There, I met various people, including bloggers I often collaborated with. During my job, I designed a VR tour of the factory, which impressed top management. I presented the project at an internal employee competition and won the award for “The Most Innovative Idea.”

For admission to foreign universities, it’s essential to have a high GPA (above average). Universities assess your entire background: work experience, internships, volunteering, participation in projects and conferences, as well as your hobbies. They look at your whole profile rather than just one aspect of your life.

L: Was a motivation letter required?

One of the most critical stages of applying is writing a motivation letter. It must be engaging. I wrote mine following an essay structure. I started by sharing my personal story and addressed the question, "Why did I choose this field?" Next, I outlined my academic and professional achievements, highlighting a pivotal moment that influenced my decision to apply to this university. After that, I explained why I chose this specific program, how it would help me in the future, and how I plan to apply the knowledge. Finally, I concluded the essay in a way that would captivate the admissions committee and leave them with no reason to refuse my application. Additionally, I had to take the IELTS test and record a video interview.

L: Is everything done online, like filling out an application on a platform?

Yes, I completed everything online through the application platform. I even included my virtual project, which wasn’t required, to show the admissions committee how serious I was. I created a project prototype, wrote a proposal, and presented it visually. The platform has a section for additional documents, so I uploaded it there. I think it caught their attention because Boston University is very strong in this field.

L: What happens after you submit the application?

Once you submit your documents and are accepted, a new bureaucratic process begins — obtaining a visa. Honestly, I did everything myself. None of my family pushed or helped me; they simply knew I was handling it. I researched everything independently online. Through

LinkedIn, I connected with university students, mostly from China, since I couldn’t find anyone from my own country. It turns out I’m the first Kyrgyz student in my faculty at Boston University. No one from Kyrgyzstan had studied there before me. It was a challenging process. Universities assist international students through their International Support Office. I had to collect numerous documents: bank statements, scholarship letters, and most importantly, the I-20 document, which confirms official enrollment at Boston University. This document includes details about income, bank accounts, scholarships, the program of study, and other key information. All of this must be prepared before applying for a visa.

I was scared because I had previously been denied a UK visa, even for a fully funded program. So, I feared another rejection. I meticulously prepared all documents: the I-20, bank statements, a letter from the university, and paid the SEVIS fee, which confirms my student ID in the U.S. I also brought diplomas and other documents just in case.

The visa interview took place in the summer. I was very nervous, even more than during the admission process. At the interview, I was asked just two questions, and they told me my visa was approved.

I was extremely nervous because it was a crucial moment. It’s important for the consul to understand that you are genuinely a student intending to study. I already had a degree and work experience at Coca-Cola, which apparently made a good impression.

L: What is your specialty and program name?

My program is Master of Science in Emerging Media Technologies with a research focus on Virtual Reality and Human-Computer Interaction.

L: Which universities did you apply to besides Boston University?

I only applied to universities in the U.S. because I truly wanted to study here. Apart from Boston University, I also applied to the University of Washington and Georgetown University. As for the UK, I mentioned a winter program I completed while studying at UCA.

I also applied to Turkey as a backup option. When responses from U.S. universities were delayed, I applied through the Turkish “Burslari” program. It’s an excellent program covering all expenses, including food, transport, and airfare. I was accepted, but when I got into Boston University, I chose Boston.

L: Did you turn down a fully funded program in Turkey?

Yes, I invested all my resources in Boston. The initial period was tough — a shock from the high costs of housing, food, and rent. I arrived without a job or income. At one point, I sat in my room crying, contemplating whether to return to Turkey or transfer to a more affordable university.

I began actively looking for a job. I sent out numerous resumes, but no one hired me. By U.S. law, international students cannot work off-campus in their first year. Plus, I didn’t have a Social Security Number, required for official employment.

Employers were impressed by my experience, saying I was an ideal candidate. However, upon learning about my legal restrictions, they refused. Some offered cash payment, but that’s risky, and no one ultimately agreed.

Eventually, I realized my only option was to find work on campus. I started applying for all available positions: the library, cafes. But I wanted a job aligned with my professional IT goals.

Finally, I was invited to an interview at the Faculty of Data Science and Computing, a strong department related to IT and programming. Now I work there as a graduate assistant, 20 hours a week (part-time). The job pays well and has a hybrid format. I analyze data on student applications to the program, review backgrounds (e.g., students from Syria or those in computer science), sort applicants based on program compatibility, visualize data, and create statistics. The work comes easily to me due to my experience. Plus, it’s really interesting; I enjoy reading students' applications.

L: What is your learning experience like? How are your student days?

The academic process at Boston University is similar to what I experienced at UCA, but I also engage in extracurricular activities. For example, there’s a club called BU Spark, where student programmers hold mini-hackathons and boot camps weekly.

We are working on various projects. One of them is the creation of an educational platform based on virtual reality. The goal is to teach medical sciences by showing the human body from the inside through VR goggles. For example, students and professors can "enter" the body and study organs—heart, stomach, brain—in virtual reality format. The project also includes simulations of the effects of bad habits on the body. For example, through VR, one can see how smoking affects the lungs or heart.

We are collaborating with programmers who work with C# and Unity to create a platform in the format of an interactive game, where you can "take" an organ, examine it, and rotate it. Currently, the platform works only in offline mode: both the professor and the student must be on-site. Boston University provides all necessary tools—glasses, access to Unity, and other platforms for students. We are greatly assisted by Biospark, which invests in us, organizes weekly meetings, meals, and invites local professionals for master classes. This is not just studying, but real hands-on experience.

L: What difficulties have you encountered in your studies?

The difficulties were mainly financial and related to the cost of living differences.

As for studying, it comes easily, but there are nuances. For example, I have to learn new programming languages, while UCA focused on basic knowledge. Now, there is a deep dive into specific topics, which requires more effort.

One of my professors is a Harvard graduate, and he is very strict. For instance, during a Python exam, a single misplaced comma can lower your score. Moreover, we write code for the exam not on a computer, but on paper, which makes it harder to spot errors. Another difficulty is the limited time for the entire process. But he explains the material in such an accessible way that even the most complex concepts become understandable. Sometimes I leave his class thinking, did I really understand this!

In other subjects, I am doing well, and the professors praise me (smiles).

L: What are your plans for the future?

I will study at Boston University for a year. After graduation, I plan to gain experience in the local market, work in IT, and then return to Kyrgyzstan. I want to implement the VR education project to make this innovative direction accessible in Kyrgyzstan. I also enjoy sharing knowledge and teaching people.

L: What advice would you give to aspiring professionals?

Learn, but not just from books. Learn from the experience of others, build connections, network. Connections always help. And most importantly, love your homeland, invest your knowledge and experience in its development.

L: Thank you for the interview!

This article was originally published by limon.kg. The University of Central Asia has translated and republished it. Read the original article here: https://limon.kg/ru/news:82547

The views expressed in this article are those of the original author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Central Asia.