Culture Interview with Dauren Aubakirov
by Katja Davidoff
What was your first impression of the U.S.?
When I came to the USA I was amazed that if you need help many people will help you. For instance, if you fall on the street, people come to you and try to help you. Also I saw that the sphere of education is perfectly developed. For students there are a lot of facilities and opportunities such as abundant libraries, gyms, sport clubs, and interesting activities.
What was something that really surprised you about the U.S.?
I really surprised about online payments for services and the large infrastructure of roads. I was often amazed that I could make online payments for many services like buying bus tickets or for some events.
I really like that people from different countries in the USA try to show their culture to other people. They create interesting and amazing events, celebrations, and invite others to these celebrations.
What is something you learned about other cultures while staying in the U.S.?
I have seen how the students of Harvard celebrate Holi – The Indian spring festival of colors. They threw loose paint on each other .In the future I want to participate in this event. (photos in application -pic.- Holi 1)
What’s something that you want others to know about your culture and your country?
We often changed our home location for new pastures, so in the past the Kazakh people were nomads. Also the Kazakh nation is very peaceful. In Kazakhstan there are more than 100 different nations living together. According to tradition, each Kazakh person should know his or her last 7 ancestors. This tradition helps them to remember and learn to respect and know their ancestors.
Kazakhstan is also a country where the first man flew into space, and today the Baikonur Cosmodrome still works. Many tourists make space spaceflight from this сosmodrome..
Anything else you would like to mention?
I like that in the USA a lot of people come from various countries to study and work. Here you can meet with people of different cultures and make a friends from all over the world. Also for me it is interesting that in the USA many great projects in technology and business are being implemented. I’m really interested in entrepreneurship, technology studies and education.
Holi Photo Credit: Dauren Aubakirov
Window Photo Credit:
images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/sea-view-from-lighthouse-window-christiane-schulze.jpg
