Nurzat was born in 2001 in Osh. She currently lives in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
“I am the eldest of three children in my family and received an education as a primary school teacher. My trips abroad began in 2019 when I first went to the Krasnoyarsk Krai in Russia. I went alone to visit relatives, but due to the pandemic, I stayed there for six months. I felt awkward just sitting at home, so I started working various odd jobs,” shares Nurzat.
“My first work experience was potato harvesting in the field. The pay was piecework, and I was able to surprise myself by earning more than some guys. I even thought about going to Germany to pick strawberries, but unfortunately, I was denied a work visa, being told that I wasn't strong enough for that kind of work,” she adds.
After the pandemic, Nurzat returned to Kyrgyzstan, where she received her diploma but did not seek to work in her field. In 2023, she found herself back in Moscow, where she spent two years as a migrant. Nurzat also visited Murmansk, a large city in the Arctic zone, where she was able to see the Northern Lights and wild animals such as whales and bears.
To this day, the girl lives and works in Riyadh, offering eyebrow shaping and eyelash extension services.
“The climate here is different from ours: there are no four seasons. In summer, the temperature reaches +55 degrees, while in winter it is comfortable—around +25…+30 degrees. Additionally, the country is rich in oil, which ensures high salaries, but the laws here are quite strict,” she says.
Nurzat notes that women's lives in Saudi Arabia are strictly regulated by social and religious norms. Clothing must be modest, and behavior is expected to be orderly. However, in recent years, opportunities for women have significantly expanded: they can work, drive cars, and open their own businesses.
“The country is governed by a king, and its legislation is based on Sharia law. Religion and traditions play an important role in public life, and so far, I have not encountered any troubles,” says the Kyrgyz woman.
She shared some amusing incidents in her new country, such as the time she walked into a building that looked like a shopping mall and was horrified to realize that it was a library, not a laboratory.
“Here, women get used to a good life from childhood, and men treat them with great respect, fulfilling their requests. This creates a sense of entitlement, and such 'princesses,' like in cartoons, can be found here in real life. Many Arab women have domestic help, which frees them from household chores,” adds Nurzat.
Nevertheless, among Arab families, there are also less affluent ones. The beauty industry is just beginning to develop, so some clients do not know how to behave properly during procedures.
In Riyadh, Nurzat interacts with many women from the Philippines, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, who sometimes face difficulties such as unpaid wages. However, she has been lucky in this regard, as her appearance, which does not allow her to be attributed to any specific nationality, helps her avoid stereotypes.
As for her future plans, Nurzat wishes to find a suitable partner and start a family, as well as engage in sports and play the komuz in her free time.
