Mission Driven. Community Powered.
The Journey
Hi, my name is Aynur Kenjaeva. I was born and raised in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where I earned my medical degree from Tashkent Medical Academy. I went on to practice as a medical oncologist at leading cancer centers in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
After moving to the United States and completing my Master of Business Administration in California, I began my own USMLE journey. As I worked through the process, I came to understand firsthand that the path to residency demands far more than strong academic performance. It requires navigating an entirely new system of expectations.
The Discovery
Many international medical graduates achieve excellent exam scores yet still struggle with the less visible hurdles of the U.S. residency application process: crafting a compelling ERAS application, passing the Occupational English Test (OET), and performing confidently in high-stakes interviews.
From my own experience as an IMG, I learned that the OET speaking exam and residency interviews are uniquely challenging, not simply because of language, but because of deeper differences in medical training, communication style, self-presentation, and cultural expectations. These are skills that no textbook teaches.
The Solution
Through countless practice interviews with peers, one truth became clear: it is built through consistent practice, honest feedback, and shared experience. Yet no dedicated platform existed where applicants could reliably rehearse with one another and track their growth over time.
That insight became Ariya MD, a peer-to-peer preparation platform powered by AI. Applicants can practice OET speaking scenarios and residency mock interviews with peers who understand their journey, or practice directly with our AI interviewer at their own pace. After every session, our AI-feedback system analyzes performance and delivers personalized, actionable insights. This blend of human connection and elite AI coaching allows applicants to identify weaknesses early, refine their responses, and measure real progress with every session.
The Mission
Ariya MD's goal is to help every applicant approach the Match journey with preparation, confidence, and support them as they build meaningful careers as physicians in the United States.
Aynur Kenjaeva
Founder & CEO, Ariya MD