Hello dear reader, my name is Adilkhan Kairzhan, and I’m a rising sophomore studying Electrical and Computer Engineering. I was born in Astana, Kazakhstan, and grew up there before coming to Rice. Studying internationally interested me ever since I was a kid, and I was lucky enough to get into Rice, and my choice of being an Electrical and Computer Engineering major stems from my passion for technology and collaboration. If I were work-free for the rest of my life, I would be a sports club owner, preferably a basketball club, managing rosters, negotiating trades, and building a championship culture. Another option would be a movie/show critic; I love analyzing media, dissecting storylines, and debating plot twists — I find satisfaction in both the emotional and technical aspects of storytelling.
I was initially hesitant about the study abroad program and had my doubts. But then I remembered how much fun I had traveling for my chess tournaments across different countries, which gave me a taste of international experiences. Given my interest in doing an engineering minor, this was a great opportunity to fulfill some electives and requirements. While the main reason for doing this program is to enrich my skills as an engineer, Amsterdam presents some fun leisure activity options. I’m mainly interested in seeing the Ajax football club stadium, exploring the nature of the Netherlands, and getting to know the culture better.
While visiting a new place, I would say I’m both an archaeologist and an architect. I lay out the essential attractions one should visit and then play it by ear. I always go to the main 2-3 streets to get a feel for the heartbeat of the city. Meeting students of UvA was an experience. I had mostly Dutch teammates, and they explained the Dutch culture, suggested places to visit, and I found new friends. Their ideas and approach to solving a problem, and just the overall experience, taught me a lot about design and the differences in culture.