Saykal, born in 2007, grew up in the Uzgen district. “I first studied in the village of Myrza-Ake until the 9th grade, and then completed my education in Bishkek in the 10th and 11th grades. Right now, I am in Daegu studying the Korean language at Kyungwoon University,” she says.
Saykal's interest in South Korea began during her school years. “Like many girls, I became fascinated with K-pop and Korean dramas at the age of 10-12. That’s when I decided I wanted to study in Korea. Since the 10th grade, I started actively learning the language and learning more about the country. After finishing the 11th grade, I came here for my education,” she shares.
The girl admits that she enjoys Korean life, although it comes with some challenges. “It’s very clean and peaceful here, people are generally friendly and willing to help. However, there are sometimes rude people — there’s no such thing as a perfect place,” she adds.
Saykal also emphasizes the differences between Korea and Kyrgyzstan. “Everything is very conveniently organized here. For example, if you want to eat at night, there’s a store open 24/7. In Kyrgyzstan, most stores close before midnight. Additionally, the level of safety here is high: no one bothers you on the street, which is especially nice for girls,” she shares.
One of the most unusual aspects has been the strict waste sorting system. “In Kyrgyzstan, we usually throw trash in one bag. But in Korea, you need to separate plastic, paper, metal, and glass. Mixing them can lead to serious fines, and violators are quickly identified through cameras,” Saykal explains.
About six months have passed since her arrival in Korea, and during this time she has managed to participate in volunteer projects and visit various cities. “Although I haven’t achieved major successes yet, I have participated in several international summits as a volunteer, improved my Korean language skills, and taken part in student trips, which allowed me to visit several cities for free,” she notes.
Saykal believes she has been able to avoid serious difficulties thanks to her family’s support. “There aren’t many difficulties because my loved ones have helped me. Nevertheless, I still miss my parents and siblings. I hope everything will be fine. There are many Kyrgyz people in my city, and we sometimes meet. There are often gatherings among students,” she shares.
As for her future plans, the girl intends to return to Kyrgyzstan and contribute to the development of the country.
“I definitely want to finish university, get my diploma, and return home to contribute to the development of Kyrgyzstan, find a good job, and apply the knowledge I gained in Korea to improve our educational system,” concludes Saykal Karybekova.
