Aigerim Bektenova has been living in Switzerland since eight years old. In the second grade, she had not only to change her home, school, usual environment, but also her language, system of education, and lifestyle.
Crafty Aigerim kept her wits. After a couple of months, she began to speak French, and after six months Aigerim already spoke without mistakes.
There are no concessions to foreigners, they quickly learn the language to integrate. So it is at school. I was offered extra French classes for only a couple of months. During this time, I caught up with my classmates — local residents.
Aigerim Bektenova
Now she is fluent in five languages. After graduating from university, she found a job in a four-star hotel in the Olympic Capital of the World — Lausanne.
Aigerim told 24.kg news agency about her life in Switzerland and plans for development of tourism in Kyrgyzstan.
— There are several state languages in Switzerland. Which one is priority?
— There are four state languages in Switzerland: French, German, Italian and Romanish. Of course, it is not necessary to speak all of them. I went to a French school. We studied German and English; in addition, one more language can be learned already in the higher forms. This opportunity is given to the best students. I chose Italian. Proficiency in several languages is welcome in Europe.
— What is the difference between study at a school, university in Switzerland and in Kyrgyzstan?
— I liked foreign films in my childhood, where children sat at a desk more freely, could argue with teachers. And I also wanted to ride yellow school buses.
I did it in Switzerland. By the way, buses, trolleybuses and subways here run on a schedule, and I have never seen overcrowded public transport.
In general, the education system is very different. Children start going to school at the age of four; there is no compulsory school uniform. There are long holidays: two weeks for each season, and in the summer — a little more than a month. And there is necessarily pool and skiing in the winter, and the rest of the time — gymnastics, running. Much attention is paid to the sports.
There is a tradition: classmates travel to a country together every year. To do this, they collect money for a few months for travel or earn money by selling pastries in the city center, at school.
Aigerim Bektenova
In graduation classes, the focus is on the future profession.
There is an opportunity in Switzerland to combine study at a university with work. You study two or three days and work for the rest of the time. After receiving a certificate, graduates of schools first look for a job, and then conclude a contract between three parties: an employer, a student, and an educational institution. A student, who has not yet received a diploma, learns the basics of a profession. And most importantly — you start earning in the first year at a university.
— You have completed your higher education in the field of hotel business. What attracted you to this sphere?
— During trips with parents to different states, I liked the coordination of work in hotels. For example, at the reception, people automatically switch to the desired language looking at a passport.
I think, having gained experience in the field of tourism, I will be able to open my own business in Kyrgyzstan.
With my diploma, I can work in the field of tourism, investment. In general, we received four diplomas at once. There is the possibility of in-depth study of English and German in my high school. Those who have successfully passed the exam are issued diplomas of the Oxford University and the Goethe Institute, in addition, a special diploma in economics and marketing, one more — in the tourism business, and the main — in the hotel business. That is, I can work even in a bank.
— Tell us, who are frequent guests in your hotel?
— The visitors are very different, there are also VIPs, the Swiss themselves, who come to conferences or seminars. There are regular visitors who have not changed us for decades. We must know them by name and pay special attention. I think that an employee of the hotel or tourist industry should be patient and attentive.
As for celebrities, I personally met at the hotel Carla Bruni, Zaz. There were also the king of Spain and Amy Winehouse. Deputies from Kyrgyzstan arrived there once. Seeing our passport, I automatically switched to the Kyrgyz that shocked my compatriots. It was unexpected!
The presidents of the Olympic Federations of Russia stay at the hotel now. There is an International Olympic Committee in our city, so all the athletes come to us.
— Do you have friends in Kyrgyzstan? Do you find a common language with them? Do you feel comfortable among the Kyrgyz youth?
— I have friends both in Switzerland and in Kyrgyzstan. I keep friendly relations with classmates from the music school named after Mukash Abdraev. Recently, I found my childhood friend: we grew up in the same area. She came to visit me when she was doing her internship in Germany. In addition, there are Kyrgyz girls who, like me, grew up in Europe. We meet quite often.
— When you arrive in Kyrgyzstan, aren’t you afraid to be kidnapped for marriage? Does the life of the Kyrgyz kelins (daughter-in-law) scare you?
— I am not afraid, probably, because there were no such cases among my friends and relatives.
I have a lot of close and distant relatives in the villages and the cities. I am not afraid of the life of women, time changes. Many of my relatives in the villages now have washing machines, hot water, and a bathroom at home. Men can cook and feel free to do it. Women have become more active, can take and bring children to school by car, go shopping, too.
As for the attitude of the relatives of husband, this is a personal question. It all depends on education and respect, and, of course, on the friendly atmosphere. If love reigned in the family of a boy or girl, they cannot grow up as cruel and inadequate people.
Aigerim Bektenova
— What has life in Switzerland taught you?
— First of all, punctuality and time saving. In Kyrgyzstan, I used to come to meetings with friends in advance, I don’t like to be late and wait. Now, being aware that a meeting will not start on time, I do not hurry not to lose an hour in anticipation.
I do not spend my savings on visits to beauty salons. I follow the trends, but do not chase them. In Europe, I learned to dress comfortably, without unnecessary accessories.
— Do our compatriots often turn to you with a request to help move to Europe, find a job?
— Sometimes, I write about Switzerland, telling what people here are proud of, how they live, what one can learn. People turn to me often, ask for advice. People of different ages write, young people are mostly interested in universities, internships, and educational programs. I give links, advice, if I am aware about it. Sometimes there are arrogant requests. Without a greeting, they immediately drop the formalities, ask how to leave or how I left. I ignore stupid and shameless questions.
— Where would you like to live now and in the future?
— I feel comfortable in Kyrgyzstan and Switzerland. I have a home there and here, too! In Kyrgyzstan, I have relatives, home, and here parents, friends and childhood, so it is difficult to draw a line. When a plane lands in Bishkek, I am happy as a child and look forward to meeting my relatives; when I fly back and see the Alps in the window of the plane, I am also happy.
— What places in Kyrgyzstan do you visit first? What are you missing in Switzerland?
— Before each visit to Kyrgyzstan, I make a list of places to see. Next year, I want to go to the canyons on the shore of Issyk-Kul lake, to Tash-Rabat.
First of all, in Kyrgyzstan, I visit my great-grandmother and relatives in the village, then go to my urban relatives. I say them goodbye in the same sequence.
Aigerim Bektenova
In Switzerland, I miss my homeland, my relatives, a special lively, rhythmic life and atmosphere.
