Kazakhstan: Facts and Figures
State: Independent since 1991. Political system - Republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch. Capital – Astana. Largest city - Almaty. Kazakhstan population – over 17 million (over 130 nationalities and 30 ethnic groups: 57% Kazakh, 30% Russian, 4% German, 3% Ukrainian: other significant minorities include Uighurs, Uzbeks, Belorussians, Dungans, Koreans, Chechens, and Greeks). Religion – Islam (70%), Christianity. Area – 2,725 thousand sq km; the size of Western Europe; the 9th largest in the world. President – Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Language: The official language is Kazakh, a Turkic language closely related to Kyrgyz and Turkish. The Government has undertaken to replace the Russian Cyrillic alphabet with the Turkish version of the Roman alphabet. However, the Cyrillic alphabet is currently still in general use, and most people in the cities speak Russian, whereas in rural areas people tend to speak only Kazakh. The younger generation and people working in tourism often speak English. Tatar, Uighur and other regional languages and dialects are also spoken.
Dress in Kazakhstan Kazakhstanis tend to dress a lot more formally than most Americans or Europeans. Most nightclubs will have a dress code so don't expect to go dancing in jeans and trainers. Women face few social restrictions on dress, at least in the cities.
Weather The Climate in Kazakhstan is continental. In summer the temperatures average more than 30 °C (86 °F) and in winter average −20 °C (−4.0 °F). Country has four seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn.
National holidays (KIMEP is closed): January 1-2 – New Year January 7 – Orthodox Christmas March 8 – International Women's Day March 21-23 – Nauryz (Traditional holiday of Spring, ancient Turkic New Year) May 1 – Day of Unity of Peoples of Kazakhstan May 7– Day of defenders of motherland May 9 – Victory Day July 6 – Capital Day August 30 – Constitution Day December 1– Day of the First President of Kazakhstan December 16 – Independence Day Almaty city map is available at www.2gis.kz ; www.maps.google.com The city of Almaty
KIMEP is located in the heart of the flourishing city of Almaty, the commercial capital of Kazakhstan. With population of over 2 million people, Almaty as the biggest city in Kazakhstan is also one of the most beautiful cities of Central Asia. Almaty has perhaps one of the most striking and beautiful locations of any city in the world. Located in the spectacular foothills of the Zailishkiy Alatau mountains with its skating rink Medeo and skiing resort Chymbulak and nature beauties as Kulsay lakes, Charyn canyon, sandy dunes in the National Park Altyn-Emel, Almaty is a pleasant city to live in, vibrant, green, and with a thriving cosmopolitan culture. The impressive mountains are only half an hour's drive from the city center. In 2011 Almaty hosted The Asian Winter Games. KIMEP is an ideal place for international students to study and Almaty a great place to travel. The diversity of the city comes from the tolerant, cosmopolitan, and multicultural population and from its renowned cultural facilities and various alternative and smaller-scale cultural events.
British portal The Rough Guide has rated cities worth visiting in 2014. Almaty city is among top 10: "It is no longer the capital (that title went to Astana in 1997) but Almaty remains Kazakhstan's the most alluring city. Its setting along the old Silk Road, with rippling mountains all around, is as exotic as they come. Add this to the recent economic boom, which has seen luxury brands pumping millions into new developments".
Top places to visit in Almaty and nearby Panfilov Park The Arasan Baths Kok-Tobe hill Zenkov Cathedral Pedestrian Street Arbat Charyn Canyon The Green Market Park of the First President of Kazakhstan Traut Farm Central Mosque Big Almaty Lake Osrtich Farm National Museum Medeu Ice Rink Falcon Farm Republic Square/New Square Chimbulak Ski Resort
More info http://www.almaty-kazakhstan.net/ , www.visitkazakhstan.kz , www.aboutkazakhstan.com Almaty, KIMEP KIMEP University Application Process-Exchange Students
step 1
1. Contact your home university 2. After being nominated by 3. *Prepare the list of documents International relations team your home coordinator and upload them to the portal: in order to apply for the program prepare for online application http://www2.kimep.kz/onlineappl/
4. Make sure that you have 5. Your application will be 6. You will receive the admission choose Right program reviewed by the Admission results by e-mail. Congratulations (Exchange) and duration committee within and Instructions
7. You will receive greeting 8. Read a Student 9. Fill in the Visa form and send it to the email from Program Coordinator Exchange Guide Visa coordinator By email ([email protected])
10. Receive an invitation letter 11. Register for the courses 12. Prepare your trip to Kazakhstan within 3 weeks Apply for visa and arrange your Logistics
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Coordinator [email protected] Step 1,2: Contact your home university
Contact your home university international office, study abroad coordinator Check if your home university is an exchange partner of KIMEP University Follow the steps to prepare necessary documents
Step 2,3: Prepare for online application
Follow the link: http://www2.kimep.kz/onlineappl/
Upload the following documents: 1) Scan of original passport 2) Official transcript of records (English version) 3) Scan of your previous education (for Bachelor students – high school diploma, for Master student – Bachelor diploma) 4) Bank statement (of 2500 US dollars per semester/5000 US dollars in a year) Note: If students obtain a scholarship, they should upload a confirmation letter from home university 5) Absence of criminal records 6) List of Vaccination (from childhood) 7) Language proficiency (letter form university if English is study language/equivalent to IELTS 6.0
Note: all documents should be provided in scan version, pdf format (with English translation) Please submit official transcript, bank statement, and criminal records to the Program Coordinator after arrival to KIMEP Step 5,6: Admission procedures
After completion of the application student will receive a congratulation email with further instructions. Please be note that admission office will not issue acceptance letter in hard copy. If you required it for visa please contact host coordinator ([email protected]).
Step 7, 8: Contact with Host Coordinator
Program Coordinator ([email protected]) will contact you with greeting email about instructions and further steps toward before arrival procedures. Student will receive Visa form and template how to complete it. Step 9: Visa Application
After completion of visa form please send them to Visa Coordinator ([email protected]) within few days. Please be note, that flight details can be provided by booking your tickets Step 10: Invitation Letter
After 3 weeks Visa coordinator will send you invitation letter for the visa application. Upon arrival students will be requested to pay for the invitation letter (approximate cost 2000 KZT tenge) Student should submit the invitation letter to your country's respective Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan when apply for a visa. Please keep that processing the Visa might take from 2 weeks to 2 months, depends on an applicant's country of origin. Step 11: Registration for courses
Exchange students are in the priority list for the registration days. So, students can register from the first days of registration period. Program Coordinator will send you guidance and remind you about dates. Exchange students can take 12-18 US credits (upto 30 ECTS) Note: students should register in advance in order to be able to book a place in the group.
Step 12: Preparation for journey
Prepare all belonging for coming trip Accommodation
Monday to Friday 8-00 AM to 8-00 PM, Saturday 9-00 AM to 2-00 PM, Country holidays and Sunday is a day-off Per month: 43660 KZT (140 USD). All relevant fees will be announced in Tenge using March 1, 2018 exchange rate Dormitory deposit 28750 (90 USD)
https://kimep.kz/current-students/student-affairs/housing/ https://kimep.kz/current-students/student-affairs/housing/ Price starts from: 3500 KZT tenge
arrival to almaty (medical documents/visa extension
passport extract from the Admission Order Accommodation certicate (copy of apartment rent contract/dorm certicate) visa invitation fee payment 1300 kzt (take the invoice from Visa coordinator), pay fee in ofce 118/adm put stamp on passport copy in 115/adm
Note: Migration ofce could ask for any additional document if needed.
Students from BIS organization will contact students prior to the dates of arrival with welcoming email and their contacts
Monday -Friday (08.30 - 24:00), Saturday (10:00-19:00), Sunday (10:00-18:00) https://kimep.kz/current-students/library/ Emergency contacts: Head of security: Kairat Sybanbayev, Diploma in Law Email: [email protected] Phone: 237-47-66 ext. 2558 Street Gate: 2374757 ext. 2563 Kazakhstan (alongside 101 for Fire, 102 for Police and 103 for Ambulance) In case of emergency student should contact insurance company, coordinator, security or medical ofce. Medical services
Medical Center Hours Days Monday – Friday Saturday Working hours of Medical Center 08:00 - 20:00 09:00 - 14:00 Senior doctor 08:00 - 17:00 Coordinator 09:00 - 18:00 Doctor 09:00 - 18:00 Nurse 08:00 - 20:00 09:00 - 14:00 13:00-17:00 Monday, Psychologist Wednesday, Friday 10:00-14:00 Tuesday, Thursday
Quarts time 8:00-8:30; 13:00-13:30; 19:30-20:00
In case of an emergency or life-threatening situation, please visit the Medical Center of KIMEP University for medical assistance (when you are on KIMEP campus), or dial 103. Medical ofce team: Senior doctor Dyakov Sergey +7(727) 237 48 05 ext.1087, [email protected] Coordinator Amirzhanova Roza +7(727) 237 48 05 ext.1088, [email protected] Doctor Aigul Kussainova +7(727) 237 48 05 ext.1325, [email protected] Psychologist Kuzovkina Maya +7(727) 237 48 05 ext.1326, [email protected] Nurse Bakhberdiyeva Kuldar +7(727) 237 48 05 ext.1324 Nurse Repina Natalya +7(727) 237 48 05 ext.1324
additional information Telephone Code for Kazakhstan is +7. Almaty city code is 727. International calls can be made from a land phone: dial +7, wait for the tone, and dial 10, followed by country code, city code, and phone number: +7 –10 – country code – number. A reduced rate applies from 20.00-08.00 local time. Alternatively, you can use calling cards that offer a cheaper rate. Calls from hotel rooms are strongly recommend you to purchase the local sim card and let the Coordinator know the number.expensive on the GSM network. Note that if you arrive from US, Canada, or Japan, your mobile phone may not work here. Roaming is expensive, so it is better to get a local mobile number. Electricity 220 V, European socket Religion and race in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan is a secular state, home to people of many different ethnicities. Kazakhs are proud of the diversity of their population and the country strives to promote peace between religions worldwide. There is freedom of worship but you should not proselytize. The majority of the population (about 70 percent) is Muslim with the second largest religious grouping being Orthodox Christian. Both Eid and Orthodox Christmas are marked as public holidays. Alcohol is freely available untill 11 p.m. and is not sold to people under 21 years old. Pork products are always kept separate from the other meat products. Most Kazakhstanis will enjoy a drink or, if not, will not object to your drinking. When inviting people for a meal do check their dietary preferences beforehand to ensure that they can eat the food and drinks you are serving.
Basic Kazakh etiquettes Etiquette and cultural norms related to acceptable and unacceptable behavior vary between urban and rural Kazakhs. As a rule, rural Kazakhs tend to follow the cultural norms more strictly.
Kazakh men always shake hands with someone they know when they see each other for the first time in a day. Usually the younger man initiates this, and shows respect by extending both hands and shaking the older man's hand.
Both Kazakhs and non-Kazakhs remove their shoes when inside a house. Guests always remove their shoes at the door. Central Asian streets often can be very dusty or muddy, so wearing shoes indoors is a serious social offense. Greetings are also very structured in Kazakhstan. In Kazakh culture, elder women and men are greeted with certain phrases showing respect. A Russian system of patronymics is still widely used.
Public affection between friends is very common. Women and girls often hold hands as they walk; boys wrestle and often hook arms or walk with their arms around each other. Kissing cheeks and embracing is perfectly acceptable between friends and acquaintant. Food in Kazakhstan The traditional Kazakh diet is heavily meat based. The Kazakh national dish is called Beshbarmak, known as “five fingers” because it is traditionally eaten with your hands, is made of lamb or mutton, horse meat, noodles, and onions. Horse meat is very popular, often served in large uncut pieces which have been boiled. While Kazakhs are not very religious, most do not eat pork. Be aware of this if you are dining out with Kazakhs or planning a dinner at home. Also many dishes that are made elsewhere with pork (such as dumplings or sausage) are made with beef or mutton here.
Other popular foods reflect the presence of various ethnic groups that have left their mark on Kazakh culture and include Uzbek plov (fried rice and meat), Russian pelmeny (meat pie), and Uighur manty (dumplings filled with ground meat, onion, pumpkin). Korean dishes are common, particularly salads, due to the influence of Korean immigrants. Fermented mare's and camel's milks are served on special occasions. You can find “halal” meal at many places. If you're a vegetarian - some excellent products available at little markets everywhere. You will be amazed with the taste and availability of fresh organic veggies at low price!
Useful phrase
ENGLISH RUSSIAN KAZAKH
Good morning! Dobroye utro! Qayirly Tan [Ka-ihr-ly Tan]
Good Afternoon (formal) Dobryy den' Salamatsyz ba [Sala-maht-syz bah]
Good evening (formal) Dobryy vecher Qayirly Kesh [Ka-ihr-ly Kesh]
Good night (informal)! Spokoynoy nochi! Qayirli tyn!
Do you speak English? Vy govorite po-angliyski? Syz aglshynsha soileisesiz be?
How are you? Kak dela? Qalynyz Kalai [Ka-ly-nyz Ka-lai]?
Qandai zhanalyk bar? Chto novogo? What's new? [Qan-dai zhah-nah-lyk bahr]
My name is... Menya zovut ... Menym atym... [Meh-nym ah-tym]
Sizben tanyskanyma ote kuyanyshtymyn. It is nice to meet you. Priyatno poznakomitsa. [Syz-behn tah-nys-kah-nyh-ma au-teh kuh-ah-nysh-tyh-myn]
Sizdin zhasynyz kanshada? How old are you? Skol'ko vam let ? [Syz-DIN ZHA-sy-nyz kan-SHA-da]
Where are you from? Otkuda vy ? Siz qai elden keldiniz?
I am from Korea. Dobroye utro ! Qayirly Tan [Ka-ihr-ly Tan]
Thank you! Spasibo! Rakhmet! [Rah-k-met]
Excuse me Izvinite Keshiriniz
I don't understand Ne mogu ponyat Tusinbedim
Segodnya khoroshaya Bugun aua-rayi sondai zhaksy. The weather is nice today [Buh-ghun ah-uh-wa-rye-yh pogoda son-dai zhahk-sy] Emergency assembly area