From Navoi to the Ivy League: Rukhshona Sobirova’s journey to the University of Pennsylvania

Rukhshona Sobirova, a native of Navoi, grew up in a family of teachers. She secured a full-ride scholarship worth $370,000 to study at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States.

"We can’t afford the tuition fee"

"I started preparing for English in the 8th grade. When I took the IELTS for the first time in the 9th grade, I scored a 7. Everyone else was happy, but I was on the verge of tears because I had expected a 7.5 or 8. That’s when my math teacher advised me to apply to foreign universities.

My parents never opposed my ambitions. When I expressed my desire to study abroad, they said, 'If this is truly what you want and you work hard, we will support you. We can invest in your education before you enter university — pay for tutors, mentors, and any necessary assistance. But you must secure a scholarship because if you enter on a paid contract, we won’t be able to afford it.' This was because tuition at American universities can reach $100,000 per year, which is an unaffordable amount for an average Uzbek family.

I worked tirelessly. I independently prepared for extracurricular projects and essay competitions without a mentor. I failed to get in on my first attempt. I tried again the second year and failed again. It was mentally exhausting — I often wondered if all my effort was in vain. But my parents encouraged me: 'This time, let’s try with a mentor. You will prepare differently. We see your passion, and we know you will succeed.' Their support helped me push through those difficult times. My parents played the biggest role in my achievements."

Dreams shouldn’t remain just dreams

"I didn’t want my dreams to remain unfulfilled or turn into regrets. So, I tried again for the third time. This time, I worked with mentors, took courses, and sought guidance from experts. Given the average teacher’s salary in Uzbekistan, these courses were quite expensive. To afford them, we had to make sacrifices. For instance, I chose not to buy new clothes, and my father skipped social gatherings to save money. There were times when I doubted myself, but my parents believed in me so much that I felt compelled to prove them right."

Breaking stereotypes

"There are stereotypes in Uzbekistan about investing in girls' education. I broke that barrier. I competed in school Olympiads in mathematics, Russian, and English, where most of my competitors were boys. Parents often prioritize investing in their sons' education over their daughters'. But I always believed that my intelligence and abilities were no less than those of any boy. Fortunately, my parents recognized my passion from a young age and gave me opportunities. Both boys and girls deserve equal chances, and if a girl works hard, she can achieve just as much.

This year, three students from Uzbekistan were accepted to top universities — two boys and me."

The moment of success

"My exam results were supposed to be announced on December 20, 2024. The results were sent via email. Early that morning, I saw the email but was too scared to open it. I feared I hadn’t made it, but I also felt hopeful because I knew how hard I had worked. When I finally opened it, I saw that I had been accepted. That moment was surreal. The feeling of success in that one minute was worth every sacrifice I had made."

What it takes to get into foreign universities

"Many students think IELTS and SAT scores are the most important factors for studying abroad. But they are not. A high score alone won’t guarantee admission to a top university. There are even more important aspects: extracurricular projects, personal essays, and character. American universities focus on who you are as a person. While academic achievements are essential, they also look at what kind of individual they are investing in. You need to showcase your personality, values, leadership skills, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and recommendations."

Future aspirations

"While preparing for university, I began research on labor migration — a topic deeply connected to my personal story. My father worked abroad, visiting home only three or four times a year, spending most of his time overseas. This inspired me to study labor migration and its impact on families and national economies. I want to continue my research and am currently learning Spanish and Turkish."