According to her, the language barrier is one of the first difficulties faced by migrants. Finding a decent job without knowledge of the German language is almost impossible. She also noted the high degree of bureaucracy. "Many believe that one can quickly get rich in Germany due to high salaries, but living here is expensive: both housing and food. Working with documents is also a time-consuming process. And, of course, the longing for home is always present," Aizhanil shares her feelings.
Despite cultural differences, Aizhanil notices some similarities between the peoples. In Germany, nature is valued: people love to walk in the forests and ride bicycles, while in Kyrgyzstan, hiking in the mountains and visiting the jailoo are more common. Family holidays and Nowruz are celebrated on a grand scale in Kyrgyzstan, while Oktoberfest and Christmas (Weihnachten), with their amazing markets, are popular in Germany.
Aizhanil recounted that at the beginning of her stay in a new city, she often got lost. "I took the train to school, which took an hour and a half. In winter, when it was still dark at 6 AM, I often missed my stop or got off too early. Since I didn't know the language well, I couldn't ask drivers for help, and sometimes I was two hours late for classes. There were days when I just cried from exhaustion and confusion," she recalls.
Aizhanil also noted the strict discipline and good conditions for children in Germany. "Germans are very punctual. Everywhere you go—whether to the doctor or the hairdresser—you need to make an appointment in advance, otherwise, you won't be accepted. Sunday is a day of rest; all shops are closed, and time is dedicated to family. On Saturdays, supermarkets are only open until 8 PM, and there are no 24-hour stores. The conditions for raising children here are excellent: kindergartens accept children from 10 months. My son, who is two years old, started kindergarten at one year old and is already beginning to speak German," she explains.
According to her observations, the residents of Bavaria are very friendly and welcoming. The urban environment is clean and well-maintained, and everything belongs to the state. An important aspect is the strict parking discipline: leaving a car anywhere is prohibited, and payment terminals are installed everywhere.
Currently, Aizhanil is on maternity leave, which in Germany can last up to three years. She plans to become a nurse (Pflegefachfrau). "I am becoming more and more interested in this field and hope that I will succeed," she says.
