Zhyldyzai was born in 1999 in Naryn, but she grew up in Balykchy, located in the Issyk-Kul region. Her family consists of three people: her mother, brother, and herself. Her mother works as a hairdresser, and her brother is a chef in Europe.
“My journey into migration began in March 2018 after I finished my studies. I went to Moscow, where I worked as a cashier and in warehouses for a year. Like many other migrants, I aimed to improve my quality of life, save money to build a house or start a business back home. My life abroad was full of challenges—tears, homesickness, and disappointments—but we did not give up; on the contrary, we became stronger and continued to move forward,” shares Zhyldyzai.
She had the opportunity to work in the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), Greece (Rhodes, Samos, Kos, Leros, Cyprus), Turkey (Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya), and Kazakhstan (Almaty). Her experience includes various professions, including working as a waitress on cruise ships.
“In Dubai, I was a manicure master, and in Greece, I worked as a waitress on a liner. In Turkey, I had to work as a nanny, cashier in stores, and waitress in restaurants. Some cultural aspects were unfamiliar to me—for example, I was surprised to see a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law smoking together. In Turkey, there were also instances where men showed persistence towards women. At the same time, New Year and International Women's Day are not widely celebrated there, but Kurban Bayram and Orozo Bayram are,” she recounts.
While working in Greece, Zhyldyzai noticed how locals adapt their homes for tourist accommodation. “On the streets, no one bothers each other; everyone is busy with their own affairs, and the salaries were good,” she adds.
In Dubai, while doing manicures, she noticed a clear division by social class: locals occupy the top positions, followed by Europeans, and then Slavs. The lowest positions are held by migrants from India, Pakistan, and other countries, working for minimum wages.
Currently, Zhyldyzai works as a sales assistant in a clothing store in Antalya. She noted that she has adapted to the local climate and culture, as well as to the friendly residents who actively interact with animals on the streets. In the future, her goal is to acquire housing by 2026, as well as to find a good partner for life and start her own business. Among Zhyldyzai's hobbies are photography and videography, cooking, and playing golf.
