Said Akhunzada Asaf came to Kyrgyzstan from Pakistan to become a doctor and found home away from home here. He teaches at the Eurasian International Medical University in Bishkek, helping his compatriots to become doctors.
— Tell us about yourself. Where were you born, raised? Where did you study, work before coming to Kyrgyzstan?
— I am 34 years old. I was born and raised in Pakistan, graduated from school and college there. Then I decided to get a higher medical education. At first I came to Kazakhstan, I planned to graduate from higher education institution there. I lived in Karaganda for about a year. But it did not work out with the English group — there were a few students. Then my uncle advised me to come to Kyrgyzstan.
— What was your first impression of the republic? Has it changed?
— I came to Bishkek by train, my fellow traveler, a Kyrgyz, told me about the country. He said that Bishkek was a very beautiful city. And so it happened. I arrived in 2007, the capital of Kyrgyzstan has become better since then: many roads have been repaired, street lighting has been done. The city is developing.
— After graduating from the KSMA, I worked in Jety-Oguz district of Issyk-Kul region. In 2019 I came to Bishkek and started working at the Eurasian International Medical University.
— Is teaching process different in Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan? Why do citizens of your country come to study here?
— No, it’s not different. But we have a large population, and although there are many universities, there are even more students. Therefore, many go to study abroad.
Studying in Kyrgyzstan is good. I studied here myself, my classmates have good jobs, there are even ministers among them.
Said Akhunzada Asaf
— By the way, are you aware that Pakistan has blacklisted many Kyrgyz universities?
— Yes, I know. But this is not because education in Kyrgyzstan is bad. Universities just need to pass international accreditation. There are educational institutions that have just started working, of course, they need time to develop.
— Do you have a favorite place in the republic?
The whole Kyrgyzstan is my favorite. It has become my home away from home. But the most beloved is Issyk-Kul. My wife is from the region, our children were born and raised there.
Said Akhunzada Asaf
This is a beautiful place, especially its southern side. Whether in summer or winter. The water is clean, the air is clean.
— Is there anything that reminds you of your hometown/country?
— I have made many friends of different nationalities here. They remind me of my relatives who live in Pakistan and whom I miss, especially my mother.
Kyzyl-Suu (Pokrovka) village in Issyk-Kul region is very reminiscent of my village in Pakistan, where I grew up.
— All dishes are delicious. I especially love beshbarmak, kuurdak, Karakol ash-lyanfu. I really like Kyrgyz cuisine.
What I’m afraid to try again is borscht. I didn’t like this soup, I don’t like cabbage. I know that this is not a Kyrgyz dish.
— What has fascinated and disappointed you in close acquaintance with the local population?
— Good people live in Kyrgyzstan. I’ve made a lot of friends. I have lived in Kyzyl-Suu since 2014, the neighbors have become very close to me and my family. They invited us to every holiday, funeral, and we invited them also. It could not do without unpleasant moments, of course, I received threats also. But these are isolated cases. There is no bad nation, there are bad people. There are many more good ones in Kyrgyzstan.
