Studying in Kazakhstan Through the Eyes of a Chinese Student: An Interview with Wang Siyu

We interviewed foreign students studying at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Department of Chinese Studies. One of them is Wang Siyu. He is 23 years old and comes from China. Currently, he is a third-year student in the "Translation Studies" program.

- Why did you choose KazNU?

- Because this university has a high international ranking.

- What difficulties did you face when entering the university?

- There were no major difficulties, but the invitation was issued too late.

- What advantages of studying at the Faculty of Oriental Studies would you highlight?

- There are many. The teachers can speak Chinese.

- Are you satisfied with your studies?

- Yes, studying here brings great satisfaction.

- What are the differences between the education system in Kazakhstan and in your country?

- There are some differences in daily lifestyle and social habits.

- Are you satisfied with the university infrastructure (dormitory, library, laboratories)?

- Yes.

- Do you speak Kazakh and Russian?

- I only speak Russian and use it in daily life.

- Is it difficult to communicate with local students at the university or in the city?

- Yes, it is difficult because Russian is a hard language. It is challenging to memorize new words and watch Russian movies.

- How difficult or easy was it to adapt to life in Kazakhstan?

- It was not difficult.

- What differences have you noticed between Kazakh culture and the culture of your country?

- Social culture here is different from that in China.

- How do you spend your free time?

- I stay at home or go for a walk.

- How does the cost of living in Kazakhstan compare to your home country?

- Life in Almaty is expensive; prices are higher than in Beijing. For example, rent, as well as vegetables and fruits, are costly.

- Would you recommend studying in Kazakhstan to other foreign students?

- Yes.

- Thank you for your interview!