Adil Karim

Logistics, boring at first glance, is what Adil sets as his outlook. However, a 21-year-old near graduate of the Kazakh-German University (DKU) has not yet decided on his career. He worked in a restaurant and bar, so he likes cooking, he is football fan, he volunteered at the Kairat football club. Two semesters of this school year were spent at Mikolas Romeris University, Vilnius. What is this Kazakh student doing today at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Why logistics?
Logistics entwines all spheres of human activity. This knowledge will be useful to me, no matter what I am going to do in my life.

What are your hobbies, how do you relax?
I love travelling, learning something new. When I studied in Lithuania, I visited 16 European countries, and I did not have big money. Skills of the logistics expert was handy – it helped always find the best option.

You are a member of the University’s Club of Acoustic Music and Poetry, what does this mean?
I don’t play any instrument, I don’t write poetry. I was involved in organizational activities there. Theme nights were arranged several times per semester, where everyone, including teachers, could perform a musical number or a poem. Last year, for the first time in the history of the university, we spent one of these nights in the open air, collecting 120 people.

What was the biggest challenge in your life?
Understanding that no one owes you anything. If you sit still, you will never achieve anything, you always need to leave your comfort zone. It was difficult for me, as the eldest son in the family and grandson. I was lazy, and I had a feeling that everything was good enough.

Is continuous success essential?
If you want more, then do more. Do not be afraid.

How did you overcome that challenge?
I changed my social contacts, I mixed with people who urged and motivated, people able to help me learn new things. Others out of this scope dropped out of my social intercourse.

That is quite harsh. How do you remember the Yessenov scholarship competition?
I was anxious, and, to be honest, I filed an application feeling blase, but I was wrong. At all stages of the selection I felt comfortable, confident. But it would be misleading, if I say that I was not surprised at the victory. It was interesting to go through the selection, watching other contenders for the victory. I listened to them: each has their own background, their goals, future outlook.

Was the scholarship of any use for you?
Once I was in Vilnius, I had to adjust my financial plans. I put aside part of the scholarship for air tickets. On the New Year’s Day I made a surprise to my family, and flew to Almaty. This was perhaps the most pleasant and memorable event of last year. Part of the scholarship were spent to household expenses and other costs.

What are you going to do after graduation?
I planned to apply for a master’s program in Spain in the fall, but the current situation in the world has slightly suspended me. While it clears up, I continue improving my skills, I do not want to lose the feeling of constant movement. I need to learn how to work systematically, improve my diligence, at the moment I am taking Photoshop courses. I definitely want to put theoretical knowledge into practice.