As a promising chess player, he represented his home country of Kazakhstan at international tournaments and even competed in the Chess World Cup. Strategic thinking, discipline and perseverance shape not only his approach to the game, but also his academic journey.
His openness to languages and cultures became evident long before he moved to Austria. In Kazakhstan, he attended a science-oriented lyceum specialising in mathematics and geography, where he successfully took part in international competitions in physics and world history. As his family travelled throughout Europe, he first visited Austria in 2015. Vienna, in particular, left a lasting impression on him. “Even then, I thought to myself: I could imagine living here.”
That feeling never left him. After spending six months at a school in Güssing in 2021, he decided to return to Austria to pursue his studies. Even before that, he had started learning German independently through YouTube videos. At the age of 18, the chess enthusiast enrolled in the Advanced Bridging Programme at the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland to prepare for his studies, improving his German from B1 to C1 level within just one year. “Our lecturers motivated us to improve every single day. Without their support, the transition would have been much more difficult.”
Today, the Kazakhstan-born student is in the fifth semester of his Bachelor's Degree Programme in International Business Relations. What fascinates him most is the close connection between economic developments and different countries and cultures. He gained his first practical experience at the Port of Aktau, where he learned about international logistics. He is currently completing his compulsory internship in Supply Chain Management at B. Braun Austria in Mödling. “I'm looking forward to gaining a deeper insight into how international supply chains and the movement of goods are managed. I can definitely see myself pursuing a career in this field in the future.”
I’m looking forward to gaining a better insight during my work placement into how international goods flows and supply chains are managed – I can definitely see myself pursuing this career path in the future.
Yerbolat Amankos, a Bachelor’s student in International Economic Relations
What Yerbolat appreciates most about Austria is the openness of its people. “The local dialect was challenging at first, but everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful.” Today, he feels equally at home in Burgenland and Vienna. Where his journey will take him after graduation remains to be seen. One thing his journey has taught him, however, is this: those who remain curious and are willing to embrace new paths will always discover new opportunities – no matter where in the world they are.
# Gepostet in:
Bridging Programme,
Alumni Stories,
Bachelorstudiengang Internationale Wirtschaftsbeziehungen
