In this article, we introduce you to Zhanerke Arstanbay, a third-year BCCB student who is graduating in 2021. Zhanerke (also called ‘Jane’ by her friends), was born in Kazakhstan and moved to Germany to study at Jacobs University. Despite her scientific major, she shares a great passion for arts or in her own words: “I feel like a human being while doing arts”.
Currently, Jane works on her project in the lab of Prof. Dr. Hector Marcelo Fernandez Lahore, a professor of Biochemical Engineering at Jacobs University. She shares that many things have changed for the better since starting her lab work this semester, she finds it very rewarding and educational to have a more flexible schedule and feels part of a team. Her project work involves the growth and qualitative analysis of fungi, which could be quite time-consuming. However, she still finds some time for herself, to take a walk or do some yoga. “Studying all day could be very bad for your body”, she laughs during the interview, “so I started doing yoga and stretches, which help a lot.” Jane has also participated in the Lewini Fashion show this semester, which is a student-made passion project. She comments that it felt empowering and fun to be part of such an event.
She encourages everyone who wants to visit Kazakhstan, to go there in spring, as it is her ‘favorite place’ to travel to. After moving to Germany, she feels a lot more grateful for the beautiful places in her home country, as it is quite different from where she is now. She looks forward to being able to travel and enjoy different parts of the world, one of which – Korea. She shares a great passion to learn more about their culture through food and friends that she would like to see as well.
Lastly, Jane shared some advice for the Jacobs community and to her younger self:
- Try to not depend on the weather as much. Some months one can miss the sun, try to get a candle or some lights. It will pass.
- The people you meet in any part of your life may not be right for you and that’s okay. Friend group change, try to be more flexible and you will meet the right people for you. You will be okay.
BY KREMENA TERZIEVA (BULGARIA) | CLASS OF 2021
