Although Gulzira's roots trace back to the Kadamjai district of the Batken region, she was born and raised in Bishkek. Now 22 years old, she lives in Seoul, South Korea, where she is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Seojeong University.
Before moving to Korea, Gulzira studied at the Kyrgyz-Korean College. "My dream has always been connected to Korea. After graduating from college, I immediately enrolled in language courses. I aimed not only to learn the Korean language but also to gain new experiences and opportunities. Korea impresses with its level of development and strict discipline. People, although they may seem reserved, are actually very hardworking and responsible. Koreans are polite and show respect, especially if you speak their language," she shares.
In Korea, great attention is paid to order and punctuality, which is evident in the transportation system: subways, buses, and trains run on schedule, and routes are convenient for both urban and intercity travel. Online services, payment systems, and delivery are also well-developed, allowing many issues to be resolved directly from a phone. Cleanliness and waste sorting are also prioritized here.
"I was surprised by the pace of life and the patience of the people. Even if you have to wait in line for 1-2 hours, no one complains and calmly waits their turn. The high cost of living was also a shock for me. Many Koreans live in small apartments, such as studio or two-room apartments, which was a new experience for me," Gulzira recounts.
Gulzira has been in Korea for over three years now. "I believe I have achieved significant success during this time. I took language courses at Hanbat National University in Daejeon. My efforts to learn the Korean language paid off: I took first place in university competitions and became one of the best students. This allowed me to receive a discount on tuition fees. I also obtained a certificate in business management, which helped me gain theoretical and practical knowledge and quickly adapt to the new environment. However, there were also difficulties. Many face language barriers or food-related issues, and I found it challenging to get used to the hot and humid climate in the summer," she adds.
Initially, Gulzira struggled with loneliness and cultural adaptation. Having become accustomed to a quieter life back home, she found it difficult to adapt to the fast pace of life in Korea, but over time she overcame these challenges. In recent years, the number of Kyrgyzstani people in Korea has significantly increased. When Gulzira first arrived, there weren't many of us. Now Kyrgyz cafes are opening, and we regularly organize gatherings. Many come on student or work visas, and we often gather for weddings, Independence Day celebrations, Nowruz, and other events," she explains.
When Gulzira has free time, she prefers to spend it with loved ones and explore the picturesque corners of Korea. She enjoys visiting places where popular series were filmed and relaxing on the seaside. "I have big plans for the future. First and foremost, I want to successfully complete my studies and bring back the knowledge and experience I gained in Korea to my homeland—such opportunities are still rare in Kyrgyzstan. At the moment, I am not married," she concludes.
Gallery: Gulzira Kursanova.
