Our People Abroad: Selfies in front of the Eiffel Tower and Life in Doha: The Success Story of Aizhan Sadykova
In an interview with a Turmush correspondent, Aizhan shared her journey: she was born in 1998 and graduated from the International University "Atatürk-Alatoo" with a degree in finance. She currently works at a beauty salon in Doha.
Career in Qatar
“I began my journey in 2019 when I participated in an 'open day' event at Qatar Airways and interviewed for the Duty Free department. Out of 464 candidates, about 60 were selected, and I was chosen among the first,” Aizhan recalls.
“At the time of the interview, I was only 20 years old, as Qatar has an age restriction for employment — starting from 21 years. However, shortly after moving here, I celebrated my 21st birthday,” she added.
Aizhan got a job as a sales consultant at the airport, where she worked for three years. “Before leaving this job, I was planning a trip to Europe and decided to get eyelash extensions, but my Kyrgyz acquaintances couldn’t help due to a lack of time. So, I quickly traveled to Kyrgyzstan, underwent training, and realized that there was a high demand for this service. Upon returning, I got a job at a beauty salon,” she explained.
According to her, Qatar is a modern and safe country with a high standard of living. There is order and cleanliness here, and the laws are strictly enforced, which gives residents a sense of security. In this international country, people from different corners of the world live, and there is respect for each culture.
Qatar is also known for its low crime rate and high incomes, and the traditions of Islamic culture are observed very strictly.
About Impressions
“The order, safety, and strict adherence to laws impressed me the most. Here, time is truly valued, salaries are paid on time, and citizens' rights are protected. It is also impressive how peacefully people of different nationalities coexist,” she noted.
Among her achievements, Aizhan mentioned buying an apartment in Bishkek, the opportunity to send her parents on Umrah, and organizing a trip for them to Turkey. “Working in Qatar has allowed me to travel a lot: I have visited Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, and many other cities in Europe, including Barcelona and Paris,” she added.
Additionally, she has been to the USA, in California, and visited Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, which significantly broadened her horizons.
“I even bought a car in Qatar, although obtaining a driver's license here is not an easy task,” she shared.
Overcoming Difficulties
In 2019, after Aizhan had worked for a year, the pandemic broke out: “Airports closed, and we spent 6-7 months at home. It was tough, and loneliness made itself felt. But the company continued to pay salaries, which was a significant support for me,” she said.
“Living away from family under such conditions was not easy, but this experience taught me patience. When I first arrived, there were only 700-800 Kyrgyz in Qatar. Now there are many more, and the number of citizens from the CIS has also increased,” Aizhan added.
She noted that she would like to meet with her compatriots more often, but everyone has different work schedules, so such meetings have become less frequent.
Sports, Life, and the Future
“In my free time, I engage in sports to take care of my health. I also dance and meet with friends from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, supporting each other,” she emphasized.
Aizhan plans to open her own business and achieve success both in Qatar and in Kyrgyzstan. She wants to engage in meaningful work for people and develop her blog to help more individuals.
She also noted that she married an Egyptian, and while they do not have children yet, they have been happily married for a year.
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