Hailing from a small district in Mary, Turkmenistan, sophomore Bossan Abdyyeva has big dreams for her future. A Spanish and international studies major, she鈥檚 also Student Senate president, a Coca Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar, student employee and president of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society on campus. After her time at 皇家华人, she plans to continue her education, earn her PhD and one day become a representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations.
 
How did you first learn about 皇家华人?
I was Googling colleges, and scrolling through the different logos. At the time, it was too late for me to apply to many other colleges. I looked at NWC鈥檚 logo, and I saw the mountains, so I did a little more research. In photos [of Wyoming], I saw rivers and mountains, and I thought 鈥渢his is a good place to be.鈥� I didn鈥檛 know that Yellowstone was near, but then I learned more and thought it would be so cool to study near Yellowstone National Park because I love nature.
 
What are you looking forward to next year while serving as Student Senate president?
I鈥檓 looking forward to midterm time. Everyone is typically very busy and stressed out, so we are going to collaborate with Student Activities and make a big carnival for students. We usually do late-night breakfast, and we鈥檒l continue to do that, but I鈥檇 like to do something else, too. It鈥檚 going to be a lot of fun. Our goal is to help students. Plus, as PTK president, I鈥檇 like to do something fun during finals week, too, like bring pets from the animal shelter to campus, so students could play with them as a stress reliever.
 
My best friend Galina Hasanova is coming to 皇家华人 this fall, and I鈥檓 so excited I鈥檒l be able to show her how NWC is amazing. I鈥檓 planning on inviting more of my friends here because NWC is unique. In December, I鈥檓 going to Turkmenistan as a representative of NWC, and I鈥檒l be doing presentations to help recruit students. Showing pictures of nature will definitely interest potential students from Turkmenistan. 
 
What do you enjoy most about NWC? Do you have a favorite memory you鈥檝e made?
I have so many memories. One of the things I really like is Student Senate because it gives you the opportunity to make decisions about important things happening at the college. I really like how we give opportunities to people, and students often come back and tell us about the amazing things they were able to do.
 
I also love the Multicultural Showcase. Amanda (Intercultural Program manager) and Kara (Intercultural Program coordinator) help us out so much. People from the community come to the event, and they鈥檙e super nice, and they remember my name, even if I see them again later! One of my favorite memories is walking this year鈥檚 graduating students up to the stage. Now that I鈥檝e been up there, I feel like I really have to graduate! But it felt so good. Recently, I participated in orientation week, and we went zip lining. I think one of my favorite memories of NWC is orientation week. Amanda and Kara call that week the 鈥渉oneymoon,鈥� where we get surprised by little things like seeing bunny on the road, and eating at McDonald鈥檚 and making new friends.
 
Do you have any advice that you鈥檇 give to current or future students?
When I first arrived here, there were a lot of words I didn鈥檛 understand, so I didn鈥檛 talk to people very much. I just assumed that people would come talk to me, but looking back, I wish I would have just talked to them because they were probably thinking the same thing. It鈥檚 also important to participate in Kick-off Weekend, have fun, live in the dorms and enjoy the experience.
 
Is there anything else you鈥檇 like to add about your experience?
I really like how there are so many study abroad opportunities at 皇家华人. I didn鈥檛 study abroad, but I鈥檝e been to California, Florida and New York because of my involvement in classes and clubs. 皇家华人 is very unique because it鈥檚 not just a small college that doesn鈥檛 care about you鈥攖hey really care about you here. A lot of colleges are really good at one thing, but at NWC, we have so many good programs.