Job Discussion Forums

barmadu · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 43

I've seen some jobs posted for this supposedly beautiful place, but have not been able to find any posts about it. Has anyone experience teaching and living there?
Thanks

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

There are quite a few interesting posts tucked away. Use the forum search engine and you'll find them.

goman72 · Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2004 2:25 pm Post subject: Kyrgystan

Hi,
I've heared theres a college in Dushanbe called "King Arthur", they could be the one that put the advert out, other than that I'm not sure what its like out there, rest assured: you'll be a novelty!!!

CG

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

just curious, what is your attaction to Krygistan? I have a really good friend from there.. but just somewhere I wouldn't personally regularly consider.

goman72 · Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 4:02 am Post subject: Kyrgystan ?!!?

Hi, sorry for taking so long to reply. I was on my way to the Middle East and had some things to attend to.
No attraction at all to Kyrgystan, I just have accumulated a lot of knowledge on most countries of the world from reading National Geographic Magazines for the past 20 odd years.
If you're a girl don't go to Krygystan, as "bride kidnapping" is still commonplace and socially acceptable. Once you allow them to wrap the head scarf around you, that means you have accepted the marriage... Strange custom I know!! You'll be milking goats and ploughing fields for the rest of your life!!!

Best regards,

CG

blackguy-n-Asia · Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Posts: 201

Sweet deal.

Plan B · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 266 Location: Shenzhen

Kyrgyzstan rules!

Or at least it does for a short time engagement. I was there for 7 months, and I imagine it may get dull for any longer than that.

It is probaby best avoided for a few months. They looted all the nice stores and is in the midst of some political unrest

I worked ther six months ago at a place called London School, which I found to be very professional and welcoming school. The salary - while low by world standards - is plenty to live on.

Please pm me if you have any further questions

travelingirl68 · Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 11:05 pm Post subject:

Having recently lived in neighboring Kazakstan for two years (where bride-stealing is also a custom - now illegal, and never used to gain a Western wife!), I have to disagree with Kia that Americans would need to hide their nationality.

I would say to anyone to tread lightly for the time being in the area, it is volatile and likely to remain so for a little while. The mountains are sooooo beautiful in that region and you have not lived until you have tried fermented mare's milk in the springtime!

I would recommend you locate Peace Corps sites for Kyrgyzstan, there may still be some volunteers in Bishkek - I have not heard if the entire country was evacuated or not. They would be one source of good information for you.

Good luck!

travelingirl68 · Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 11:23 pm Post subject:

As they do have the most ties, connections and similarities linguistically and culturally of any in that region, their "Royal Families" were at one time intermarried (the daughter of the Kazak pres./son of the former Krygyz pres.), and many other interconnections, I do not think it unfair to compare the two countries.

travelingirl68 · Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 11:51 pm Post subject:

Well, now that you mention it, I have asked locals from both places - they tend to agree that there are many similarities. In fact, many believe that prior to the Russian/Soviet Union takeover in the area, they were even more closely related. That they are two countries now is seen by some as an effect of colonialization and arbitrary boundary drawing.

As far as the CIA involvement in the region - I would not be surprised by it. As far as their desiring Akaev to be ousted, that is debatable. The US seems to have plenty on its plate right now, to add more instability to the region seems ridiculous, but the government has done foolish things in the past.

I believe that the US has use of an air force base (maybe I should say had), indicating fairly friendly relations between the two countries. (I am not sure of that little tidbit of information however.)

Have you ever even travelled in the region, or are you simply making assumptions about everything?

travelingirl68 · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 12:34 am Post subject:

You are correct that there are many ethnic Russians who are citizens of Kazakstan. They would not consider themselves to be "Kazak", but perhaps "Kazakstani". Ethnic identity is very important in the region. When thinking of the comparison, I had only ethnic Kazak and Kyrgyz in mind.

You are also correct in saying that the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan are influenced by their "brothers" in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan - I am not sure that the same could be said for the more northern regions.

I have noticed from your previous posts that you like to stir things up and take a very patronizing/condescending attitude with posters here on Dave's. If you wish to throw out information in this forum, I think it only fair that you at least not be surprised when others have a different viewpoint. Your posts have made for humourous reading this evening, but I agree with others who have said they do not enjoy the tension that your responses sometimes encourage.

travelingirl68 · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 12:43 am Post subject:

It is funny Kia, I am an American, one who does not support or condone such actions of my government, but somehow, in some strange way... You have made me feel defensive about my nation. Many others have voiced their opinions or concerns in the past, and I could easily agree with them - with you only feelings of anger... Hmmm - is that just the affect you have on people on-line, or do you foster these feelings in people all around you as well?

This thread, this poor little Kyrgyz thread either needs to be locked, or if you feel the need to discuss this any further, PM me rather than inflicting it on everyone else.

travelingirl68 · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 12:59 am Post subject:

Considering that you edited out many of your former posts that people had issues with, I would hardly say that you stuck to your guns defending yourself or your opinions. You are correct that my emotional state is my concern and not yours, perhaps I was gently trying to tell you that if you want your information to be accepted or at least truly reviewed that you might want to consider the way in which you phrase things.

You should think about taking some responsibility for what you say, because if you are coming to Dave's thinking that everyone is anti-American, you are foolish. If you know that what you say will be read by Americans, you also know that some of your comments are considered to be flames...

I will take my share of the responsibility for encouraging you by responding about Americans in Kyrgyzstan without having read any of your previous posts - had I done so, I would have known better.

travelingirl68 · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 1:40 am Post subject:

[quote="kia"]

It's a former soviet republic that proudly boasts an ethnic makeup ranging in groups from all over Asia including China, Russia and the Middle East (all mixed together to form the Kyrgz people).

There are people from many parts of the world living in Kyrgyzstan, but only ethnic Kyrgyz would consider themselves to be Kyrgyz. They are not "all mixed together to form the Kyrgyz people", but rather there are many ethnic groups that comprise the Kyrgyz nation.

Kyrgyz borders Tibet.

Krygyzstan does not border Tibet, it does however border Xinjiang, China - otherwise known as the Uygur Autonomous Region.

Bride kidnapping as is as popular there as kidnapping is anywhere. Why you brought that up i don't know. Thank you for your crude, inapproriate and disprectful tone of ignorance, regardless.

There is such a thing as Bride-Stealing in Kyrgyzstan. There are young women whose lives are ruined by it as once they are 'stolen', they must stay with the man or live a life of shame if they leave him. It does not really apply to any Westerner living in Kyrgyzstan and is nothing for any woman to fear. That Westerners are occasionally attacked in Central Asia is true - and most times, the attackers are not concerned about which Western nation one might hail from before the person is hurt.

Good luck in your journies, take a good map with you!

dajiang · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 663 Location: Guilin!

Dunno about CIA or attitude towards Americans much, but concerning jobs I've heard that it's not a big problem to get a job there.
Just turn up and make friends with the people at universities. Look for opportunities on site.

A good friend of mine is working there now for the UN and he knows a couple of FT's there working at the local uni. Said they could use more help for sure. Never been there myself sadly enough, so it's all third-hand.

However, when you do end up there, you won't make much money, and you've gotta like the lifestyle. It helps heaps if you speak or know some Russian too.

Regards,
Dajiang