I have been accepted into the Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Russian as a Second Language Program hosted by my school and SRAS (the School of Russian and Asian Studies). I COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED!! I will be there for 10 weeks, starting from late May to early August. I might even add in an extra 2 weeks before he program starts so that I can go explore some more! While my primary purpose of studying in Kyrgyzstan is to learn Russian, my secondary purpose is definitely go on hikes and watch people eagle hunt (among many, many other things)! The landscape in Kyrgyzstan is unlike anything I have seen, and I am literally dreaming about the scenery in my sleep.
Most of my Russian class is going to St. Petersburg, Russia. I thought about it, but I decided to go with Bishkek. Why?
1. It's off-the-grid
9 out of 10 people I talk to have no idea where Kyrgyzstan is, and I am going to study there. How cool is that? Since not many people have gone down this path, there isn't really something that I "must" do (other than Issyk-kul and the bazaars in Bishkek) and I get to do whatever I want and share these unique stories with others. Also, I'm just an awkward person that doesn't like super mainstream stuff.
2. Mountains. And Lakes.
If the pictures above aren't breathtaking to you, I don't know what to say. I simply can't wait to finally see and hike them in person!
3. Less distraction, maybe
While my classmates are probably getting drunk and partying in a bar in St. Petersburg, I'm probably sleeping in a yurt. I'd say that's a fair trade. But then I'd be tempted to ride horses everyday, so that could be a slight distraction.
4. The people
The Kyrgyz people are known to be hospitable and gentle. They are not from big, modernized cities, which makes them perhaps more innocent and easy to communicate with. They also probably speak less English than Russians, which would help me in learning my target language.
5. Kyrgyz food
Some might say they're weird (fermented mare's milk??! Yes that's weird), I can't wait to try them. Honestly, I have never tried any food like Kyrgyz food, so I have absolutely no expectation for it. But at the same time, I am pumped to try something complete new to me. (I've also heard they're really yummy)
In conclusion, Bishkek just sounds better for me. Now all I need to do is find $9000 on the street or something to pay for the program.
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| Beautiful landscape of Kyrgyzstan - Source |
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| Horses are a bonus! - Source |
Most of my Russian class is going to St. Petersburg, Russia. I thought about it, but I decided to go with Bishkek. Why?
1. It's off-the-grid
9 out of 10 people I talk to have no idea where Kyrgyzstan is, and I am going to study there. How cool is that? Since not many people have gone down this path, there isn't really something that I "must" do (other than Issyk-kul and the bazaars in Bishkek) and I get to do whatever I want and share these unique stories with others. Also, I'm just an awkward person that doesn't like super mainstream stuff.
2. Mountains. And Lakes.
If the pictures above aren't breathtaking to you, I don't know what to say. I simply can't wait to finally see and hike them in person!
3. Less distraction, maybe
While my classmates are probably getting drunk and partying in a bar in St. Petersburg, I'm probably sleeping in a yurt. I'd say that's a fair trade. But then I'd be tempted to ride horses everyday, so that could be a slight distraction.
4. The people
The Kyrgyz people are known to be hospitable and gentle. They are not from big, modernized cities, which makes them perhaps more innocent and easy to communicate with. They also probably speak less English than Russians, which would help me in learning my target language.
5. Kyrgyz food
Some might say they're weird (fermented mare's milk??! Yes that's weird), I can't wait to try them. Honestly, I have never tried any food like Kyrgyz food, so I have absolutely no expectation for it. But at the same time, I am pumped to try something complete new to me. (I've also heard they're really yummy)
 |
| By the way, this is a yurt. - Source |
In conclusion, Bishkek just sounds better for me. Now all I need to do is find $9000 on the street or something to pay for the program.
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