Kazakhstan: Larissa Foley (A Experience and “We’re Not in Madison Anymore” )
Yurtscursion: A Taste of Kazakh Culture
Prior to my arrival in Kazakhstan, I unfortunately knew a limited amount of information about the country to which I was flying. As hard as I tried to research the culture and people, I could not find much on the internet. Luckily, once my program started, I had the opportunity to take a course about Kazakh culture. Throughout the eight-week experience, my classmates and I learned about traditional food, clothing, and the historic Kazakh nomadic lifestyle. However, one topic in particular caught my immediate attention.
When my culture professor taught us about yurts and their cultural significance, I knew I had to experience a night in one. Historically, yurts were the moveable structures in which Kazakhs lived. They brought the building materials with them on horseback as they moved from place to place. With teamwork, a family could set up their yurt in as little as two hours. Today, the existence of the yurt serves as a reminder of the connection between Kazakhs and their cultural roots.
With the help of one of my amazing program directors (thank you Aidanna!), I was able to schedule a “Yurtscursion”. Eleven classmates and I rented two yurts in the mountains, located in the Talgarskii district of Almaty. We sang, danced, laughed, and watched the sunset from a hammock underneath the yurt. This was a completely new experience for me- something I never even dreamed of before coming to Kazakhstan. When I told my teachers, host family, and other locals about our “yurtscursion”, their eyes lit up. They were so excited that we were taking the time to learn about the Kazakh way of life. It felt so special to engage with such an important cultural aspect, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
“We’re Not in Madison Anymore”
One Sunday afternoon in Almaty, I was getting ready to go to the water park with a friend. When I went to tell my host mom about my plans for the day, she said “Wouldn’t you rather go horseback riding?” I was taken aback by the spontaneity of the offer, but of course I immediately accepted. Horses play a big role in Kazakh culture, having been used historically as transportation, wealth, and sustenance. Though I had limited experience with horseback riding as a child, I knew this was going to be completely different. We hopped in her car and set out for the village.
Once we arrived, the owners let me pick which horse I wanted and helped me up into the saddle. The reigns of the horse were connected to a local expert. She led us in a group through the fields of Kazakhstan. At one point, I was amazed as she turned herself backwards to take a picture of our group, while simultaneously leading both her horse and the rest of us. My host mom and her friends were experienced enough to ride without a guide, so they followed alongside us. It was a great bonding experience with both my host family, as well as a first-hand experience of Kazakh culture. Although my legs hurt for the next couple of days, it was totally worth it!
Larissa Foley
Hometown: Waukesha, WI
Major: International Studies on the Global Cultures Track, Russian Certificates: Russian, Eastern Europe & Central Asia Studies (REECAS), Gender & Women’s Studies
Program: Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP)
Almaty is a big city with so much to offer. I chose RLASP because it offers full language and cultural immersion and the opportunity to stay with a host family. I wanted to be able to further my Russian skills in an authentic setting, and with the beautiful mountain ranges surrounding the city, Almaty was an excellent option.
One personal goal I have for this program is to embrace the culture and try the local cuisines. As someone who typically stays in their comfort zone when it comes to food, I want to take this opportunity to branch out and appreciate traditional Kazakh dishes. I’m a firm believer of the phrase “You’ll never know unless you try”!