“We were very well received at Aarhus School of Business – the Dutch are so hospitable people! During the first week we were getting used to the school and the new environment. We also had a tour around the city. Then we had the orientation for international students where we met other students from such countries as the United States, Canada, Singapore, China, Ukraine, and, of course, different European countries! Throughout that time our student tutors introduced different school’s facilities including the academic buildings, library, computer labs, and campus in general. We all spent our evenings in various places on campus and in Copenhagen such as the university’s club (like our KIMEP Fun Club), a Chinese restaurant, a boiling place, a movie theater, and others. As for accommodation, we were lucky that we were placed in the same student dormitory: each of us had a separate room and we shared a kitchen. The dormitory was only 5 minutes away from the school. We all took the Dutch language course because everything there was in Dutch and we just had to know at least some language. In general, we have really enjoyed studying at Aarhus School of Business!”     

~ Meruert, Aigerim, and Asem,
KIMEP Exchange Students to ASB,
Spring 2006

 “Going to Sweden was one of the best exciting things I have ever expected and my expectations were justified! At first, I expected Sweden to be calm, cold and maybe too conservative.  I did not know anything about Swedish youth, their culture, except history, that I have searched through Internet. Thanks to the KIMEP’s International Office that helped me to get more information and knowledge about Sweden and JIBS (Jonkoping International Business School). Living in Sweden and being an international student opened new horizons for me. I became more mature about life, I met new and interesting people from all over the world, and of course I acquainted them with Kazakh culture. I have found really good friends to whom I can trust. By being alone, without your relatives and support in a foreign country you can not easily rely to others, in contrary you are more cautious. That is why, if in such situation you have found a friend- it is forever. I got through a really good and interesting moments of my life in Sweden and they will be always in my memories.”

~ Akmaral Junusbekova, BA,
KIMEP Exchange Student to JIBS,
Fall 2005

 “Hey, my name is Jazgul Ismailova, MA2 student. I would like to share my own experience of coming and studying in JIBS with new coming KIMEP students. The University organizes orientation weeks for new coming international students. Each year there are about 200 international students from more than 40 countries. I’ve met different people and made friendship with some of them! As for studying, it may seem to be easy in the beginning of the semester: I had much time to study, but it was challenging to organize the time to study enough. I took two courses per quarter and Swedish as the third course. I also bought my textbooks. Most people understand and speak English so it is ok that you don’t learn Swedish. Social life in Jonkoping is full of different events, committees and people all around the world. You can join several committees and clubs including international committees, sport, photographing, journals, stock exchange, SIFE, etc. Students always organize parties in Raslatt. Moreover, you will have a chance to sign up for the contact family program. This program is aimed to improve mutual share of cultures between international students and Jonkoping habitants. Students interested in this program sign up to learn more about Swedish culture and people. Some families in Jonkoping are also interested in meeting different students. They choose particular students and invite them for traditional meals and show around city. Relationships can be closer or no, depending on people.”

~ Jazgul Ismailova, MA2,
KIMEP Exchange Student to JIBS,
Spring 2006

“We had a very memorable time at KUBS and so many stories to share! The university’s campus is very huge; for example only Anam Campus has 76 buildings! The buildings are big, but not tall. Sometimes I had only 10 minutes to run from one building to another one! Then nearly all buildings had their small libraries and computer labs in addition to the main library! Almost all faculty members have PhD and are Korean, but they all speak good English. Students are very knowledgeable, but pretend that they know only “a little bit” about a topic. They are very modest. I also noticed that the library was full of students who were studying something one-week prior the beginning of the semester, but it was so quite in the building! When we were meeting other international students there, they usually said, " You guys are first people from Kazakhstan that I've ever seen", and then " Do you speak in English in your country?" While wandering around Seoul, we were surprised to see so many high buildings! Markets work from 8 am to 12 pm! The seats in the metro station are heated! One of Togzhan’s favorite metro stations was “Dongmyo yek” (yek means a station). One of our favorite Korean dishes was Bulgogi that has lots of meat (not pork) and vegetables! I usually had it with a free soup and salad and ate everything with Korean chopsticks. I also noticed that in the streets non-Korean people when meeting another foreign person always try to approach that person to make friends with him. Many people haven’t heard about Kazakhstan yet! We bought cell phones (for about $40) because it’s a necessity in Seoul in case you get lost. As for the Korean young people, the girls don’t wear much make-up or dye their hair, but the boys have more stylish haircuts and wear more fashionable clothes than the girls! We also joined the Korea Smile Organization that sponsored free trips to different points of interest in Korea. For example, we went on a 2-day tour to Andong with 50 other people from around the world! We saw different villages that used to be Korean rulers’ residences in the past, museums, papyrus-making factories, and traditional Korean performances in masks. We tried so many . We also stayed overnight in the real Korean tiny village that I felt like being in those ancient times! It was nice that they made the heated floors in those small houses, otherwise we would have frozen to death!” Overall, we have so many great impressions of Korea and the university that it’s impossible to describe all of them. They say that it’s better to see once, than to hear so many times and it’s true about Korea and KUBS! We highly recommend this exchange program to KIMEP students!”

 ~ Togzhan, Ainura, Diana, and Akhmet,
KIMEP Exchange Students to KUBS,
Spring 2006

     “The trip to Germany was really useful and interesting for me. This trip allowed me to broad my knowledge, receive new experience, meet new friends. International Summer School at Schmalkalden University gave me an opportunity to receive cultural experience and priceless knowledge about international economics and cross-cultural management. ISSS participants were friendly, sociable and easy-going guys; it was really interesting to learn new culture and customs. Cultural program included traveling and sightseeing of the largest cities in Germany, such as Berlin (Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz,), Weimar, Buchenwald, Eisenach and many other places. Programs like this one will help KIMEP students to understand more about the culture, economy and political system of different countries and get more knowledge and personal experience.“

~ Dyusseneva Aliya,
KIMEP Exchange Student to ISSS,
         Summer 2005

 “ISSS 2005 was unforgettable experience for me. It was very useful for me to get deeper knowledge from Guest Professors from different parts of the world about the International Economics and Finance, Cross Cultural Management and Economics, Culture and Globalization. Every Friday we had examinations. Students were from North America: USA, Canada and Mexico, Asia: Kazakhstan, Turkey, Thailand, Tajikistan, Philippines, and Europe: Ukraine, Italy, and Lithuania. The wide variety of countries, cultures and religions represented by international students made classes a multicultural one that made discussions on different issues more exciting and interesting, also provided a unique opportunity to investigate the impact of contrasting cultural religious value systems on international business.”

~ Bigaliyeva Aktoty,
KIMEP Exchange Student to ISSS,
Summer 2005