Adventure into East Asia: Kazakhstan GIP Trip

Over spring break, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a culture completely foreign to me. During this 12-day trip, we engaged in conversations with international students, a Uyghur refugee family, an American popcorn factory owner, Uyghur villagers, teachers, US consulate representatives, Afghan university students, and many Kazakhs throughout the city.

The trip organizers effectively incorporated cultural immersion beyond typical sightseeing. Even taking the public bus or metro, we had some unforgettable conversations with many Kazakhs.

I documented my personal experiences in a journal throughout the trip. The journey took us through presidential monuments, city skylines, traditional horse wrestling during Nowruz festival celebrations, village gatherings in yurts, eagle shows, religious sites including both mosques and orthodox cathedrals, street performers, protest memorials, local businesses, and international schools in the region.