Twin sisters Nelly and Amelia Tyncherova from Kyrgyzstan secured admission to US university on their own, overcame initial financial and language hurdles, and subsequently began helping other students apply to study abroad. Today, Nelly is pursuing a master's degree in the US on a full scholarship. Nelly Tyncherova shared the sisters' story and journey with Kabar.
The journey to the US
Nelly and Amelia studied at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania for four years. According to Nelly, they were the first students from Kyrgyzstan to attend the university.
Nelly majored in International Studies and Peace and Conflict Resolution, while also studying Spanish. Amelia chose a field related to clinical psychology and also engaged in research work.
The sisters handled the US university application process entirely on their own, without the assistance of specialized agencies.
"We did everything ourselves, without outside support. We used YouTube and Google to figure out how to write essays properly. It was very difficult, and we made a lot of mistakes," Nelly recounted.
The sisters applied to about eight or nine universities. Ultimately, both were accepted to Arcadia University, which awarded them tuition scholarships. However, they had to cover their own living expenses.
Their first few years in the US were challenging. They faced a language barrier, a different culture, and financial difficulties.
"When the first year ended, we had nowhere to live. We bounced between different rooms, stayed with friends, and spent time in New York. We didn't have jobs or anything." "There were times when we didn't have food, and we were genuinely just trying to survive," recalls Nelly.
She admits that even knowing English didn't mean the adjustment would be easy.
"You arrive thinking you know English, but you still feel lost. It’s as if you’re learning it all over again," she shared.
To cover their expenses while also growing professionally, Nelly and Amelia worked at the university during their studies. At first, they did menial jobs, including washing doors and windows. Later, Nelly taught Spanish to students, worked as a resident assistant in dorms, and assisted American students who were struggling academically.
About a year and a half after she began studying Spanish herself, Nelly became a tutor, helping her peers master the language.
"Every achievement I’ve mentioned was truly earned through sheer hard work. I put in a tremendous amount of effort," she emphasized.
Throughout her four years of study, Nelly strove to do more than just attend classes. She participated in Model United Nations, represented the university at conferences at Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, and conducted research alongside faculty members.
One of her notable projects was the first Culture Fair at Arcadia University. Nelly and her sister organized the event, giving students and faculty a platform to showcase their countries' cultures. It subsequently became a university tradition.
"My sister and I organized the first Culture Fair and turned it into a university tradition. I’m very proud to leave my mark," Nelly said.
During her senior year, she was elected vice president of the university. In addition, she received one of her graduating class's awards for leadership and contributions to the university community and was the only student to deliver a speech at the commencement ceremony.
"It was important to me not just to get an education, but to leave my mark on the university," Nelly shared.
During her studies, Nelly completed three internships. These included work in the field of immigration law and at the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia.
Another significant experience was a one-week educational program on international relations in Paris. Although participation initially required a fee, professors helped Nelly find sponsors. As a result, she was able to attend at no cost and earn a certificate.
According to Nelly, many opportunities arose thanks to her initiative and eagerness to be involved in university life.
One detail Nelly particularly remembers from her years of study in the U.S. was the flag of Kyrgyzstan.
Flags from various countries were displayed at the university, yet the flag of Kyrgyzstan was missing. Nelly proposed adding her country's flag and decided to make it herself: she took some fabric, cut out an image of the sun, and hand-stitched it on. That is how a handmade flag of Kyrgyzstan came to appear on campus.
After graduating from Arcadia University, Nelly continued her studies. She is currently enrolled in a one-year Master’s program in Public Policy at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, having received a full scholarship.
"All my previous professors told me that getting a full scholarship for a Master’s degree was nearly impossible. So, for me, this was a major achievement," Nelly said.
In addition to her studies, she secured an internship through a partnership between the university and the United Nations.
"I had just arrived at the university when I was immediately offered this internship. It came as a complete surprise to me," she noted.
Amelia’s Research Journey
Unlike Nelly, who focused on international relations and politics, Amelia chose clinical psychology and began conducting research while still a student.
Her first research experience involved studying the effects of dark chocolate and meditation on students' stress levels and cognitive functions. As part of the study, participants took a cognitive test, then consumed a specific amount of dark chocolate while listening to a guided meditation. Amelia presented the results of this work at the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) annual conference in 2025.
Later, for her honors thesis at Arcadia University, Amelia investigated whether the person leading a brief breathing exercise, a human versus artificial intelligence, affected anxiety levels, and whether the communication style played a role. The study found no statistically significant differences between humans and artificial intelligence. Communication style also did not have a statistically significant impact on anxiety levels.
Amelia is currently preparing the paper for publication in the *Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research*.
Their own experience applying to American universities inspired Nelly and Amelia to help other young people.
According to Nelly, they have helped approximately 20–30 students gain admission to universities in the US, Europe, and Dubai. Additionally, the sisters ran their own initiative, Twins Corporation, through which they taught English.
Nelly and Amelia’s journey began with researching study-abroad opportunities on their own, navigating early mistakes, and overcoming significant financial challenges. Today, the sisters continue their studies and professional development in the US, using their personal experience to help other young people find opportunities for education abroad.
