OshSU Kyrgyz-Chinese Faculty student Gulmira Tulenova trains in volleyball alongside her studies and represents Kyrgyzstan in international competitions. Recently, she played for the national team at the Asian Games held in Japan. We spoke with Gulmira about student life, balancing studies and sports, and her future goals.

— Gulmira, could you tell us about yourself? Where were you born and where did you graduate from school?

— I was born in Kairagach village, Nookat District. I studied and graduated from the Kenesh Secondary School in the same village. My childhood and school years were spent there. Later, I enrolled in the Kyrgyz-Chinese Faculty of OshSU.

— What made you choose the Kyrgyz-Chinese Faculty?

— There are several reasons why I chose the Kyrgyz-Chinese Faculty. First, the quality of education is high, students receive good support, and the educational process is closely supervised. Second, there are opportunities to go to China to learn the language and gain experience. I believe that making good use of these opportunities will be very beneficial for my future.

— What difficulties have you faced while learning Chinese?

— It is not easy (laughs). Writing Chinese characters is especially difficult. You also have to pay attention to the pronunciation of each word. Chinese has tones, and if you pronounce a word incorrectly, it can have a completely different meaning. I struggled at first. I am still learning, but I have realized that if you are interested and make an effort, you can gradually master it.

— How is your student life going? Is it difficult to combine studying and sports?

— It is difficult. It is not easy to manage both at the same time. But I am learning many things while studying at OshSU. I have made new friends and met many new people. I also have opportunities to develop myself. The university provides me with great opportunities in sports as well. I participate in competitions representing OshSU.

— You often travel to international competitions and training camps. What happens to your classes during such trips?

— Sometimes I have to miss classes because competitions or training sessions take place in another city or sometimes in another country. As a result, there are times when I fall behind in my classes. However, I try to make up for what I miss. I ask my teachers for the assignments, study them independently, and catch up. I do not want to neglect my studies. To combine sports and education, you have to make an effort yourself.

— You recently played for Kyrgyzstan’s national team at the Asian Games in Japan. Could you tell us about it?

— It was a very important event for me. It was my first time participating in the Asian Games, so I felt both excited and highly responsible. We played against strong teams there. Taking part in such a major competition gave us valuable experience. I believe that we will continue training hard and achieve new successes.

— How do you feel when you compete representing the university where you study?

— It comes with a special responsibility. You study at that university every day and receive your education there. Then, when you compete, you represent the university. When I play for OshSU and achieve good results, I feel that I am also contributing to my university. That is why I try to take every game seriously. It is very important for me to contribute to the success of my university.

— What is your daily routine like? How does the schedule of student Gulmira differ from that of athlete Gulmira?

— My day usually starts with classes in the morning. During the day, I focus on my studies, and in the evening I go to volleyball training. Most of my day is spent on these two activities. Making time for education as a student and training as an athlete has become an integral part of my daily life.

— What do you like to do in your free time besides volleyball and studying?

— Not much (laughs). But when I have free time, I like running. It is another way for me to improve my physical fitness. I also try to spend time with my friends and relax.

— After graduating from OshSU, do you see your future in sports, or would you like to work in your profession?

— I want to do both. First of all, I want to graduate from OshSU with good results and become a highly qualified specialist in my field. I would like to apply my knowledge in practice. At the same time, I do not want to give up volleyball. I will try to combine both as much as possible. However, I think I will focus primarily on my profession.

— What advice would you give students who want to combine sports and education?

— Do not be afraid to combine studying and sports. It is possible to do both. You just need to manage your time properly and put your studies first. Never be afraid of difficulties, and work hard to achieve your goals. You need a strong character and perseverance both in sports and in life. If you set a goal and work toward it, you will gradually see the results. Perseverance is important in both sports and education.

— Finally, what would you like to wish the students of OshSU?

— First of all, I wish you good health. I hope you achieve many successes in your studies. I wish everyone to reach the goals they have set for themselves. I would like to tell you to use your student years wisely and not miss opportunities. If you are interested in sports, be sure to give it a try. Do not be afraid of difficulties, believe in yourself, and keep moving forward.

Interviewed by Zinagul Nuralieva