Meet Gulbahor, originally from Uzbekistan, who spent an incredible five months in Slovakia through the National Scholarship Programme (NSP) Her time in Košice not only allowed her to explore a new culture and country but also gave her the courage to shift her academic focus. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in China, Gulbahor reflects on her unforgettable experience in Slovakia and how it continues to shape her path.   

Exploring Old Town of KošiceHow did you find out about National Scholarship Programme? 

I found about it from alumni of the programme, who were also my friends. They had participated in the programme and shared their experiences on Instagram, saying, "I came to Slovakia to study for one semester, and it's fully funded!" That caught my attention, so I asked them to tell me more about it. I was really interested and decided to apply. Thankfully, I was successful on my first try. 

What was the administration process like when you found out you were accepted to study in Slovakia? 

The visa process was quite simple, thanks to the National Scholarship Programme (SAIA). They provided all the necessary documents, and we applied for our visas easily without any issues. The accommodation was also well-organized, with the International Office providing detailed information about the dorms, prices, and room types. 

The International Office at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University was fantastic! The staff members—Oľga Gállová, Natália Bačová, and Dmytro Mykolajovyč—were always there to help. Anytime we had a problem, we could go directly to their office, and they were very open and helpful. 

 

You have been studying in Košice. What was your studying programme?  in front of Pavol Jozef Safarik University

My university in Uzbekistan was focused on languages, but I wasn’t as interested in continuing that field. For my Master's degree, I wanted to switch to management. I even received an acceptance letter from Comenius University’s Faculty of Management. 

However, when I consulted my university in Uzbekistan about studying one semester in Slovakia, they told me it wasn’t possible because my study programme had to be language-related. So, I applied again, very close to the deadline, and I applied to every university they offered me—more than 10. In the end, only Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice had a relevant offer for me. 

I ended up receiving two acceptance letters—one for management and another for English language. It was challenging at first because I had prepared everything for the management programme, but suddenly everything changed, and I had to switch to the English language programme. 

What did your study stay in Slovakia teach you? How did your time in Slovakia influence your professional path? 

Studying in Košice helped me realize that teaching English wasn’t the right path for me. It was the final step in my decision to change fields. Now, I’m studying management full-time for my Master's degree in China. 

Exploring Slovak cities - PrešovHow did your study stay in Slovakia influence your personal growth? 

It made me realize how brave I am. Before, I never thought I could travel or study alone, but after this experience, I discovered I’m strong enough to take risks and face challenges. I also used to be a bit introverted, but this programme helped me become more open-minded and social. For example, I realized that if I don’t say “hi” to people, they might not approach me, so I became more outgoing and open to making new connections. 

It also had a significant impact on my relationship with my family. In Central Asian countries, particularly for girls, it’s not always common for parents to allow their daughters to study or travel abroad. When I applied for this programme, I didn’t tell my parents at first—I waited for the results before telling them about the opportunity. After going to Slovakia and seeing that I could manage everything on my own, my parents started to believe in me more. It was a bridge to my next step—studying for my Master’s in China. They realized I could do things independently, and that gave them the confidence to let me pursue my goals abroad. 

How did you find Slovak people? Were they helpful and welcoming to international students, or did you encounter any challenges? On the way to university

At first, when someone asked me about Slovak people, I would say they are very open and always smile. Some locals told me that Slovaks don’t smile much, but that wasn’t my experience. Whether it was at the supermarket, in cafés, or even with taxi drivers, people tried to communicate, often using English or translating to help me. 

I didn’t experience any negative moments with them. They were polite and curious, often asking where I was from because they could see I wasn’t Slovak. Even when I tried to speak Slovak, they smiled and appreciated the effort. Overall, they were very welcoming, and I have no complaints. 

I learned some basic phrases in Slovak, thanks to my host university, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, and the International Office. They provided a buddy programme, where a local student Anastasiia Lashkova was assigned to help us. We communicated via WhatsApp, and I could ask her anything. For example, I would ask, "How can I find this place?" or "How can I buy this product?" and she always responded quickly. Having this buddy programme was a great way for me to get more information and feel supported. 

Another point is that Slovak has some similarities to Russian. In my country, Russian is like a second language, so we hear it a lot. I remember my first day in Košice when I was trying to communicate with the dormitory receptionist. She didn’t speak English, and I didn’t know Slovak, but she spoke in Slovak, and somehow, I understood her! I think the similarities between Slovak and Russian really helped. 

I also picked up a few basic Slovak words, like "ahoj" (hello) and "ďakujem" (thank you). 

With international friendsDid you experience any culture shock? 

Interestingly, I didn’t have much culture shock while I was in Slovakia. The real difficulty came after returning home to Uzbekistan. Even though it’s my own country, it was challenging to readjust. People and things felt different, and I had to get used to my old life again. I had gained new experiences that my friends at home couldn’t fully relate to, which made it a bit strange to reconnect with them. 

One thing I want to share is that, after returning from Slovakia, I proudly tell people: "I was an international student in Slovakia, and I studied there for one semester." Some students from other European countries didn’t seem to appreciate Slovakia as much, perhaps because they underestimate the country’s level of development. But I want to speak up for Slovakia—it is truly underrated. After visiting, I discovered its breathtaking nature, stunning landscapes, and beautiful castles. The best part of Slovakia is its natural beauty. 

Every time I meet new students from different countries here in China, I talk to them about my experience with the National Scholarship Programme (NSP). Just yesterday, a girl from Pakistan asked me about my study experience in Slovakia, and I told her all about the NSP programme. She is now considering applying for it. I actively promote Slovakia, Košice, and the NSP programme on my Instagram, and I am proud to contribute to this programme in my own way, even with small actions. 

Spending weekend in High TatrasDid you have any favorite places in Košice? How did you spend your weekends? 

My favorite place in Košice was definitely the Old Town. I spent a lot of time there after classes, exploring the shops, cafés, and just walking around. I also visited nearby shopping malls like Galéria, which was close to my dorm. 

On weekends, we often traveled to the High Tatras. The Tatry mountains are stunning, especially in different seasons. I went there in October and again in December, and the landscapes were completely different each time. It was an amazing experience.  

Did you make any Slovak friends? How did you stay in touch? 

Yes, I made some Slovak friends. For staying in touch, I mostly used Instagram because it’s very efficient. In my country, we use Telegram more for chatting, but I noticed that Instagram is more popular in Slovakia, so it became my main way of communicating with them. 

City walk in KošiceWhat would you recommend to international students coming to Slovakia to study? 

First of all, they should plan everything—professional life, personal life, and academic life. For example, they should think about what they want to achieve academically during their five months at the university and also where they want to travel. 

For me, I was able to visit many European countries thanks to the programme. However, I regret not traveling to more cities within Slovakia itself. I really enjoyed visiting Banská Bystrica, but I haven’t been to Žilina, and my friends from there told me it’s a beautiful place with a lot of nature. So, my advice would be to explore Slovak cities first, and then travel to other European countries. 

Another recommendation is to take full advantage of free train travel for students. In Uzbekistan, we don’t have these kinds of benefits, like free trains or student discounts through ISIC cards, so I found it amazing! I used trains often, for example, from Košice to Bratislava, and it was free every time. 

The accommodation was also great. I lived in a dorm called "Prazska" with international students from different countries, and it was a wonderful opportunity to network. Now, when I travel to Europe, I’m not afraid to visit places because I have friends from my Erasmus year who I can reach out to. 

One friend told me something that stuck with me. When we met in Lisbon, he said, "You will never forget your study mobility year. It’s a special time, so live in the moment." At the time, I didn’t fully understand, but after returning from Slovakia, I realized how true his words were. Study stay in Slovakia has been an unforgettable experience.