Albina completed her studies at the Faculty of Education of the Kyrgyz National University. In September 2023, she enrolled in Kyungmin University in Ijeonbu in a language program and successfully finished her Korean language course this year.
“After completing the language courses, I enrolled in the Faculty of Medical Services at Sojeon University. I have been studying there since September of this year,” she shared.
Albina never imagined that she would study abroad, especially considering that she grew up in a modest family. However, her love for learning has always been with her, and deep down, she dreamed of such a life.
“All of this became possible thanks to my husband. When we were still dating, he was already living in Korea. On September 11, 2023, he invited me to join him, and we got married that same day. That year, he helped me enroll in the university. My mother-in-law, who also lives in Korea, welcomed me according to all traditions. Now I am a happy wife and mother, and my husband is Kyrgyz,” she recounts.
Albina speaks enthusiastically about life in Korea. Since childhood, she has been a fan of Korean dramas, admiring the relationships of the characters and their lives. She had a dream of finding a boyfriend who looked like a Korean, and perhaps it was thanks to these visualizations that she married someone with a similar appearance.
“Life in Korea really resembles what is shown in dramas. People here are very polite, and everyone is busy with their own lives. I especially like the romance — wherever I am, I see beautifully dressed couples and their tender relationships. But this is just my perception; many Kyrgyz people I talk to may have the opposite opinion. In the end, everyone sees what they want to see,” she added.
“So far, I have been lucky, and thanks to my husband's support, I have not faced serious difficulties in Korea,” Albina noted.
She mentioned that there are no conflicts in their relationship, and they have never quarreled, so she has no negative experiences. People around her treat her warmly.
“For example, I recently gave birth to a child. I maintain good relations with my Korean neighbors, who constantly checked on me after I was discharged from the hospital, asking how I was feeling and how they could help. In Kyrgyzstan, it is customary to drink broth after giving birth, and in Korea, there is a special soup for recovery. The neighbors prepared it for me to help me recover and improve lactation,” she shared.
The soup is called miyokguk. When I said I could cook something from my country, one of the neighbors replied, “I don’t know what soup you drink, but you should drink mine to regain your strength. You are still a child yourself, but you have already become a mother — take care of your health.” She constantly brought me this soup. Such warm moments make my life here special,” Albina added.
Albina also noted that the weather in Korea is reminiscent of Kyrgyz weather, but more humid. It is colder here in winter and hotter in summer, which is related to the proximity of the sea and ocean.
She also observed that Korea has a high level of development, culture, and politeness of people. “I am surprised at how convenient conditions are created everywhere. Perhaps this is because people do not want to complicate their lives, or because the country is very developed,” she said.
“I am proud that I learned the Korean language and completed the program despite being pregnant. I also became a mother, which I consider a significant achievement. Additionally, I am balancing my studies and motherhood. For some, this may seem insignificant, but for me, these are important steps,” she shared.
The most challenging period for her was pregnancy when she had to cope with morning sickness while continuing her studies.
Previously, when she lived near the university, Albina often met other Kyrgyz people, but many of them had already graduated from the language school and enrolled in other educational institutions. Nevertheless, she continues to communicate with two Kyrgyz friends she met in Korea.
In her free time, Albina enjoys reading and walking, but right now all her attention is focused on her child.
Her goal is to complete her studies, gain experience, and, upon returning to Kyrgyzstan, apply all her knowledge and skills, including the Korean language, for the benefit of her homeland,” she concluded.
