Student Discusses Yakutian Life Experiences in Botswana
Yakutsk Yarns: Gokhona Mashego's Arctic Adventure
Meet Gokhona MashegoCome say hi to Gokhona, a vibrant girl from sunny Botswana, now settled in the heart of the Siberian tundra, Yakutia! Gokhona is more than just a student - she's a beauty pageant participant, a spirituality enthusiast, and a fierce oil and gas engineering student at the North-Eastern Federal University named after M.K. Ammosov.
The Road to YakutiaGokhona, being used to balmy temperatures of her homeland, had never heard of the icy fortress that is Yakutsk before her big move. When she heard that temperatures drop to a bone-chilling -60°C in the winter here, she was downright petrified! But as it turned out, Yakutsk wasn't as frozen as she thought, and summer in this wild land was quite the contrary - nice and toasty.
Embracing the NewAdjusting to a new environment can be a challenge, but for Gokhona, it was all about building bonds. Although she didn't know Russian, her university buddies, fellow Yakuts, communicated with her either in their native language or good old Russian. The occasional language barrier didn't get in the way, since her new friends also befriended other African students who spoke her language, making her adaptation a breeze. Now, she's fluent in Russian and has even picked up a few words in the local Yakut language!
Northern ExposureIt's not every day you find someone taking pics of you while you're out enjoying a leisurely stroll in the city. But that's the kind of attention Gokhona gets in Yakutsk. Sometimes, people even ask for a snap together with her! The unusual yet charming welcome to this cold wonderland makes her day, every day.
Exploring YakutiaThere's so much to see and do in Yakutia! Gokhona's adventures in the republic include jaw-dropping visits to "Tehktjur," snowboarding down the chilly slopes, exploring the picturesque Naraada Village during "Aar Kudaai," and even working as a volunteer at the Yakutsk marathon drivee-2024! Oh, and she can't wait to visit the breathtaking Lena Pillars soon!
Aar KudaaiAs a participant in the "Aar Kudaai" beauty and spirituality contest, Gokhona's experience has been one for the books. Having always dreamed of taking part in a beauty pageant, but being turned down due to height restrictions, she found her ray of hope with "Aar Kudaai," a contest with no such external limiting criteria. Even though she was nervous about public speaking in Russian, Gokhona breathed life into her performance during the contest. With new friendships formed and hearts won, she considers her time with "Aar Kudaai" as a golden moment in her Yakutia chapter.
What Next for Gokhona?A fast learner, driven, and forever curious, Gokhona has set her sights on mastering Chinese and visiting China one day. But before that, after completing her studies in two years, she'll bid farewell to the snowy lands and head back to her roots in warm-hearted Botswana. From there, she plans to work under a target contract, and if possible, pursue a master's in China!
A Note from the AuthorCurious to learn more about Gokhona's Yakutia tales, cultural immersion, and future plans? Ask away! Valeria Noeva, 4th year student, Southern Federal University's Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures.
Photos: Gokhona Mashego's Unforgettable Journey
In the midst of her vibrant lifestyle in Yakutia, Gokhona balances her education-and-self-development pursuits, as a participant in the Aar Kudaai beauty and spirituality contest, with her passion for sports, like snowboarding and volunteering at the Yakutsk marathon. (lifestyle, sports, education-and-self-development, Aar Kudaai)
As she plans her future, Gokhona aims to integrate education-and-self-development into her lifestyle once again, by mastering the Chinese language and embarking on a journey to China after completing her oil and gas engineering studies in Yakutia. (lifestyle, education-and-self-development, China)
