International students’ visit to Shymbulak

International students from the PRC, currently studying at the Department of Language and General Education Preparation for Foreigners within the Faculty of Pre-university Education at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, visited the Shymbulak mountain resort as part of an extracurricular adaptation program. The primary objective of the trip was not only to acquire snowboarding skills but also to foster a deeper immersion into the natural and cultural landscape of Kazakhstan. Learning winter sports in high-altitude conditions required significant concentration and the overcoming of language barriers in new everyday situations, contributing to the participants' cognitive development and psycho-emotional resilience. The emotional tone of the trip was marked by high student engagement: the initial encounter with the peaks of the Trans-Ili Alatau sparked a keen interest in the geographical and ecological features of the region. Joint activities on the slopes allowed the students to reinforce their communication skills in an informal setting, translating theoretical language knowledge into practical interaction. This practice of outdoor physical activity directly aligns with the objectives of SDG 3 regarding the promotion of well-being and mental health among youth. Furthermore, exposure to the unique ecosystem of the mountain cluster subtly fosters principles of environmental responsibility among international citizens, echoing global sustainable development goals . Consequently, the sporting excursion served as an effective tool for inclusive education, integrating physical development, environmental awareness, and the successful integration of international students into a new social environment.

I.K. Nusretillayeva,

is a lecturer at the Department of Language and General Education Training of Foreigners

at the Faculty of Pre-university Education

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University