Aijamal Sharshenova

In March 2025, Aijamal Sharshenova bravely (but excitedly) travelled to the U.S. alone from Kyrgyzstan to study for a master’s degree in tourism and hospitality management (that was the plan, at least). Long before, though, she was already an international student charting an eclectic academic and professional course in pursuit of her goals.

Like a diamond or other precious jewel, Aijamal is bright and multifaceted, and radiates quiet elegance and grace. Speaking of her accomplishments, she said: 

“When I was 16, and in my final year of high school, I won a scholarship to study at a language institute in China, where I spent six months learning Chinese and preparing for international academic opportunities. It was during that experience that, thanks to my mother’s encouragement and belief in me, that I began dreaming of studying abroad. Coming from an ordinary Kyrgyz family, that opportunity showed me that international education was possible.”

After successfully completing her studies and examinations in China, Aijamal returned to Kyrgyzstan to finish high school and receive her diploma. Although she had hoped to return to China to continue her education, regrettably, she was underage at the time, and universities there were unable to admit her directly into bachelor’s degree programs. Consequently, she remained in Kyrgyzstan and enrolled at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University (KTU “Manas”), one of the country’s most respected institutions of higher learning, where she later earned her bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management. In addition to attending classes for her major, she studied diligently and achieved fluency in English and Turkish, simultaneously developing proficiency in German. These accomplishments proved quite advantageous.

“Thanks to my university and academic program, I had the opportunity to travel to Germany twice and complete professional internships in events management. These experiences allowed me to gain valuable international exposure, work in multicultural environments, and further strengthen my language and communication skills,” Aijamal said confidently.

While these many proactive and purposeful endeavors may have sufficed for most students, they were just the beginning for Aijamal.

“While pursuing my degree, I also worked as a tutor, helping children with foundational academic subjects. After graduation, I received two professional opportunities: one at a private school as a Pre-K teacher and another in Germany within the hospitality and event management field. While waiting for my international employment documents and visa process, I spent approximately six months working with children at the school.”

There is far more to this young scholar than her academic and professional undertakings. She has dedicated herself to living her best life, cultivating a well-rounded, culturally-rich existence, and remaining truly present in every moment.

“I have always been passionate about photography. I completed professional photography courses and developed this hobby alongside my studies and work because I believe that important moments and stories deserve to be preserved and remembered.”

With so many accomplishments already under her belt, it was time for Aijamal to take the next step of her life’s multileg journey. Fueled with boundless positivity, her mother’s encouragement, and a ticket to greater possibilities, she boarded an airplane headed to the United States.

Once establishing her home in Brooklyn, NY, Aijamal shifted gears once again and opted not to pursue a master’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management. Instead, after spending several months at an English language school that she found unsatisfactory, she applied and was accepted to Kingsborough Community College, where she planned to enroll in the physical therapy assistant program. Before beginning classes, however, Accuplacer test scores showed that she needed to improve her English proficiency. A phone call she would soon receive from the Kingsborough English Language Institute (KELI) office seemed like destiny to her.

“I picked up the phone and couldn’t believe what I heard”, she said enthusiastically. A man, speaking my native Kyrgyz language, was telling me about my test scores and suggested I register for the KELI program!”

This happy coincidence was just one of the many circumstances that convinced Aijamal to become a KELI student.

“My experience with the amazing office staff was better than I had expected. They were extremely helpful and respectful, and made the whole application process simple and painless,” she said. I’ve never had such a positive experience. Everyone was like trusted friends.”

Consequently, in September 2025, Aijamal joined her new classmates for the fall semester. After just a few weeks, she truly knew she had made the right decision.

“The class was better than I could have hoped for. My test scores allowed me to begin at the highest level. I really enjoyed, and was thankful for, the structured pace of our lessons: grammar, vocabulary, reading, and listening.

What I appreciated the most was the quality of instruction and the engaging material our teacher brought to class every day. We were constantly learning new vocabulary while also discussing interesting topics, including cultures, holidays, and real-world ideas, which made learning English both meaningful, enjoyable, and inspiring” she added.

Incidentally, the young man from the office who had called Aijamal and spoke to her about the KELI program in her native language was a KELI student himself and had actually had the same teacher in a previous semester!

Further speaking fondly about the program, Aijamal said she came away with so much more than what she gained academically.

“Especially being from another country, I appreciated the opportunity to learn American English while being with wonderful students from other countries and cultures. Some of them became my close friends!”

After just one term, Aijamal retook and passed the Accuplacer exam in December 2025. She then started classes as a Kingsborough student in spring 2026, studying liberal arts and preparing for her major in the physical therapy assistant program. She did extremely well in her biology class, which included physiology and anatomy.  She also excelled in English 12 (a composition course), psychology, and statistics with algebra. She modestly smiled with pride at her recent accomplishments and is eager to begin her physical therapy (PT) studies, something which holds special meaning to her.

“I chose physical therapy for many reasons. My interest comes largely from my (and my brother’s) own childhood experiences with health challenges and, at times, unsuccessful medical treatments. Those experiences led me to become deeply interested in human physiology and rehabilitation. Over time, I developed the belief that effective healthcare should focus on the body as an interconnected system rather than treating individual symptoms in isolation,” she said.

Aijamal explained that she looks forward to being able to help other people to live more healthful lives.

“For me, physical therapy represents a forward-thinking approach to healthcare—one that emphasizes understanding movement, restoring function, and helping the body recover as a whole. That holistic perspective is one of the main reasons I am so passionate about entering the field,” she added.

As far as her plans after graduation are concerned, Aijamal said she can immediately begin working as a PT assistant. She will then transfer to a four-year CUNY college to complete her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy. Then, it will be on to earning her master’s degree in the field. For now, she is taking the summer off from classes, but is maintaining her connection to the KELI program by working in the very office that started her on her KCC journey.

“I’m looking forward to working with everyone, as well as assisting new and returning students with all of the great programs here.”

For more information about the KELI/ESL 70 program, please call (718) 368-4870.