Alexander Moree: "Studying at AUCA is my second job..."

June 23, 2015

Alexander Moree is one of the American exchange students from the University of Virginia. Originally from Washington D.C., he spent last spring semester at AUCA. At only 20 years old, he already knows 6 languages including Russian and Kyrgyz. Learning foreign languages is actually one of his favorite hobbies, with trekking. He is currently preparing a double major in foreign affairs and economics. Before he returns home in August, he shares about his 6-month experience studying and living in Kyrgyzstan.

“Before coming to AUCA, all I knew of Kyrgyzstan was that it was a former Soviet Republic with a still vivid nomadic culture. 

Since my arrival in Bishkek in January, I learned a lot about Kyrgyz culture. I read Manas epic story in Kyrgyz from children's books - “Манастын Бала Чагы” and “Манас Кыргыздардын Улуу Каны”, learned how to play Komuz with my host sister and played the Kyrgyz song “Көк Бөрү” for Nooruz celebrations.

My first impression of Kyrgyzstan was just how russified everything was. I knew it was part of the Soviet Union but I had expected it to be somewhat similar to the Asian cultures I had encountered during my childhood in Korea and experiences in Nepal. 

Bishkek amazes me with the variety of restaurants in the city and the ease to travel almost to anywhere in Kyrgyzstan by “marshrutka”. What I dislike about Bishkek is the pollution.

I’ve made friends here in AUCA and Bishkek. They include Zukhra Iakupbaeva here at AUCA, Javlon Kurbonbekov at the Academy of Tourism, and countless other students from my classes and from the Run the Silk Road Marathon. I like the multiculturalism in Bishkek and AUCA, love meeting people from all over Central Asia.

I was amazed by the variety of classes offered at AUCA, because it is such a small school. The professors at AUCA seem dedicated to their fields of study and I find the students sometimes even more Western and liberal in their outlook than students in America. In general, students at AUCA are more inclusive and tolerant of others - it is rare in the Southern American States. At the same time, students seem much more skeptical and inquisitive than the average American students.

Every day it is a joy to discover another little thing about Bishkek and learn how to say something new in Kyrgyz. However, the bane of my existence here in Kyrgyzstan is my small host sister Bika. She’s 6 years old, but she believes that she rules the world. Every day she demands to play games on my computer when I’m doing homework, demands that I reveal my secret iPad tablet (even though I don’t own an iPad), and constantly reminds me that I’m here to play with her (and that studying at AUCA is my second job). It is amazing how something so stressful and tyrannical could exist in such a cute little girl.”

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