Mukhametzhanova '26 Adelina

From: Almaty, Kazakhstan

Current Grade: 9

Entered SSM: Grade 9

How are classes/education different here than in your home country?

ADELINA: The education here is more modern than in Kazakhstan. For example, there we do not really use computers. And we do not use pencils, we use pens. It was very interesting when I came here to use pencils! In Kazakhstan, our schedule changes every day, and we don't have as many school events, maybe only three or four per year. But I like it in both places!

What has been your favorite class at SSM?

ADELINA: My favorite is choir and vocal practice, but academically, it’s geometry.

What is the most surprising/weirdest/interesting thing about living in the U.S.?

ADELINA: That all products are very big—not just big, enormous! A package of chips only comes in a large size, I can never find a small one.

What are some favorite traditions/customs from your culture?

ADELINA: We have many traditions for many situations in life. For example, I really miss our celebration of Nauriz in March. It’s a celebration of spring and a new year. We always have many activities, visit our family members, make traditional food, and play games!

What foods do you miss from home?

ADELINA: I very much miss our traditional meat dish called Beshparmak! We eat it at celebrations.

What is your favorite American food?

ADELINA: French fries.

What has been the hardest adjustment you've had to make?

ADELINA: Making friends was hard at first, because you don’t have many classes with new people.

What has been your favorite thing about your experience as an international student?

ADELINA: It’s really interesting how I've started thinking and speaking in English.

What advice would you give to future international students at our School?

ADELINA: Don’t be shy and scared, you need to show yourself really fast and then you will find many friends and people who have same topics with you! And visit Kazakhstan!