I am the First Turkmen Hoya at Georgetown University in Qatar

By Jennet Soltanova (GU-Q’29).

On my 20th birthday this year, I left Turkmenistan, with excitement, nerves, and the pressure of walking into uncertainty. After a gap year following my FLEX exchange in Texas (Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) is a competitive, merit-based scholarship program funded by the United States government), I was finally traveling abroad, alone this time. In the U.S., I had always had a safety net: a host family waiting with warm meals, a host father who drove me to school, a host mother who answered every question I had – and yes, even the ones that probably made her question her life choices. This time was different. No one would greet me with a familiar smile, no one would pick me up or drop me off, and certainly no one would patiently answer my endless “stupid” questions.

Everywhere I looked, the word “new” seemed to echo. Being the first student from Turkmenistan at Georgetown University in Qatar, I feared loneliness. I worried I wouldn’t find anyone who spoke my language, shared my food, or understood the small, weird parts of me. I imagined myself wandering around campus like a confused tourist, mistaking the first floor for the ground floor, and hoping someone would notice me before I got lost in the library forever. Then I found the First Year Experience (FYE) program, and everything began to change. From the first session, FYE became my guiding light. That’s where I met my FYE captain, Dania, who offered support whenever I was unsure of what to do; FYE coordinator Hana, whose advice and support were invaluable; and organizer Ms. Joanna, whose kindness made me feel valued. Thursdays, which had once been just another day, became a time I truly looked forward to. Hot lunch was waiting and yes, the kind that makes me wonder why instant noodles exist, but more importantly, so were people who welcomed me wholeheartedly.

Through FYE, I discovered a community. Bowling nights at the Multaqa Student Center, karaoke sessions that echoed with laughter, cupcake-decorating contests that tested my “artistic” abilities, wellness workshops, t-shirt painting, Polaroid snapshots, and group jeopardy games guessing different languages: all of these small moments connected me to this new world. One moment stands out: during bowling, Ms. Joanna said, “I like your energy.” Simple words, yet they made me feel seen, appreciated, and, yes, a little cooler than I actually was.

FYE taught me that belonging isn’t about geography or nationality; it’s all about people. I kept every Thursday from 1:30 to 3:00 PM in my Google Calendar as a dedicated time to attend, engage, and connect. Slowly, the fear of being alone faded away. I realized that even in a place far from home, I could build a family of friends, mentors, and memories. Being the first Turkmen student at Georgetown Qatar isn’t just a label: it’s a journey, a responsibility, and a privilege. And through FYE, I learned that even in the unfamiliar, community and connection can make a new place feel like home.

So this is more than just being the first at something. You too may be the first in your family to study abroad, the first from your school, the first from your community, or even the first to take a risk that no one around you has taken before. Being “the first” can feel heavy. It can feel lonely. It can feel like you’re walking into a room where no one speaks your language, literally and figuratively. But I’ve learned something important: being the first also means you are creating the path that others will walk after you. That is what I love about GU-Q, there are a lot of us on this journey charting new paths everyday.

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