Susanna Karazakova is from Rostock, Germany. Ten years ago she knew practically nothing about Kyrgyzstan, and now she has a Kyrgyz surname and has no plans to leave this country. The young woman told about her choice in an interview with 24.kg news agency.
— How did you end up in Kyrgyzstan?
— I first came here in 2013. At that time I was studying at Humboldt University in Berlin at the Department of Geography, we had an excursion to Kazakhstan, after which we decided to spend a week on Issyk-Kul Lake. We enjoyed it. But it was difficult, because we spoke neither Russian nor Kyrgyz. We communicated with the locals almost with the help of gestures.
After that I came to the country several more times for holidays, and in 2015 I decided to try to stay here for a long time. I graduated from university and moved to Bishkek.
I didn’t know anything about Kyrgyzstan before. At school, in the 10th grade, we read «Jamila» by Chingiz Aitmatov, but I didn’t realize then that it was about this country.
Susanna Karazakova
— What were your first impressions?
— From Almaty we arrived in Bishkek by minibus, we didn’t have any cash with us. We thought we would get cash from an ATM, but we couldn’t find one nearby and there were no currency exchange offices either. We sat at the bus station and did not know what to do. Luckily for us, a girl who spoke English came to us, she helped us find an ATM, and sent us to Cholpon-Ata. It was unusual. But in general, the impressions turned out to be pleasant, and the people were hospitable, kind and helpful. They helped us to find an accommodation, gave advices on where to eat.... Well, Issyk-Kul itself is a wonderful, beautiful place. The season had already ended, it was October, but it was still warm.
— Why did you decide to stay in Kyrgyzstan?
— I liked it: beautiful nature, of course, and the feeling of freedom. It is completely different in Germany: everything is strict, clear, it is allowed, it is not allowed. There is more freedom here, the food products are organic, much tastier, and the people are different. I feel good here, even if there are difficulties.
— How did the adaptation period go?
— It took me a little time to understand the local mentality. I noticed that women are treated differently here. On the one hand, attitude is more respectful: doors are opened for them in society and seats are given. Practically no one does this anymore in Germany. On the other hand — it is less respectful, which is more typical for family relationships («Why are you sitting, I am hungry, set the table»). Even if you come home late at night — «Come on, cook a dinner!» But in general, everything went smoothly. There was no such a situation when I was offended because I am a foreigner.
— You are fluent in Russian now. Where did you learn it?
— I started learning it in Germany right after the first trip to Issyk-Kul, I completed the A2 level, then I just practiced.
I also tried to learn Kyrgyz. But the problem is that it is very difficult to find a good course.
Susanna Karazakova
These are either courses for schoolchildren, more like tutoring, or for adults, but there are no students and I sit alone. It’s boring, I want to learn in groups, communicate. I speak a little Kyrgyz, I understand more.
My colleague Alex is the only foreigner I communicate with, the rest of my friends are local. They all speak Kyrgyz, so I want to improve my knowledge. It is interesting that many people are surprised by this and ask why I need it. But after all I live in Kyrgyzstan.
— At one of my meetings with friends I met a man whom I later married, I took his last name. We have a son.
— What are you doing for living here?
— I teach German and yoga. I’ve been practicing yoga for a long time, once I accidentally found out that there is a training for yoga teachers in Bishkek. I thought it could be an extra opportunity to make some extra money, at least a few hours a day. I took the course and started working, I’ve been a yoga teacher for about a year. Yoga gives a sense of peace, relaxation, allows to keep your body in good shape and maintain your health. I’ve got a herniated disc, but thanks to yoga, I don’t even notice it.
I enjoy being a yoga teacher a lot. People come tired, they say that they didn’t want to go to the class, but then they still came, and after the class they leave already satisfied. I like helping people, someone can raise their hand, someone’s back doesn’t hurt anymore. This is great!
Teaching German is also to my liking. Our students are motivated, they want to learn, to go to Germany. It’s interesting to teach them. It’s not like at school, where you just sit and don’t want to do anything.
— What regions of Kyrgyzstan have you already visited?
— Issyk-Kul, Osh, Jalal-Abad, Naryn — almost all except for Talas and Batken regions. I love traveling, I want to see everything. When my parents come to visit me, I also want to show them something new. Last year my dad and I went to Son-Kul, and my mom and I went to Osh and Jalal-Abad, we went to Sary-Chelek lake and visited friends on jailoo. The lack of comfortable conditions doesn’t particularly bother her, and my dad is a bit picky.
— They took it calmly. Everyone in our family can live as he or she wants. In the beginning my parents probably thought that I would come back soon, but they were not against it, and now they do not demand from me to return to my home country. They just say: «It’s a pity that you and your son are so far away». Usually they come here once a year, sometimes my son and I go to visit them.
— Do you have favorite places in Kyrgyzstan?
— One of my favorites is Son-Kul. I love Naryn too, it’s very beautiful there; I like Konorchek canyons, the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. I love mountains. Last year, my son and I spent every weekend in the mountains, in Ala-Archa. It is difficult to choose one favorite place: there are so many beautiful ones.
— Not anymore. I did not understand before why people constantly honk on the roads. It was very unusual. When I was driving myself, I used to get scared and thought that I had done something wrong. After the video surveillance cameras were installed, the traffic has become calmer.
I am also very surprised by the hospitality. You come to someone, even a stranger, they will invite you to the table, offer tea, treat you with sweets. It is not so in Germany.
As for the rest, I got used to the local way of life for eight years.
Smog, of course, is a big problem in Bishkek during the cold season. My son constantly coughs, and I am not a city person, I grew up in the countryside, so we plan to move to Issyk-Kul. I hope I can teach German online. Yoga classes are also possible, because many people have health problems.
— Did you have any disappointments or unpleasant experiences?
— Of course, especially in the beginning. There were cases when new acquaintances thought I was a rich European woman or could help them get a visa. But such intentions are immediately visible, people quickly disappear. However, after that, some doubt remains — people want to be friends with you just for nothing or for the sake of something.
— It seems I have everything I need here. I have only had positive experiences. Parents indulged me in childhood very much, my father earned good money, we, the children, were bought everything and were not refused anything, we wanted more and more. It was only here that I realized that it does not matter. Although I have little money, I have everything — friends, food, I am happy, I can go to the mountains every weekend if I want.
— Does anything remind you of Germany here?
— To be honest, no. The food is different here, the set of mind is different, the houses look different. In the area where I live in Bishkek, buildings are being built according to a German design. When I saw it, I was surprised, and nothing more.
