Saykal, born in 2007, spent her childhood years in the Uzgen district. “I studied in the village of Myrza-Ake until the 9th grade, then completed my education in Bishkek in the 10th and 11th grades. Right now, I am in Daegu, where I am studying the Korean language at Kyungwoon University,” she shares.
Saykal's interest in Korea began during her school years. “Like many girls, I got into K-pop and dramas at the age of 10-12. At that time, I decided that I wanted to study in Korea. Since the 10th grade, I started to seriously study the language and learn more about the country, and after finishing the 11th grade, I came here for education,” she recounts.
Saykal notes that she enjoys life in Korea, although it hasn't been without difficulties. “I really like it here: the cleanliness, the tranquility, and most people are friendly and willing to help. Of course, sometimes you encounter rude people — there are no perfect places,” she added.
She also pointed out that Korea is significantly different from Kyrgyzstan. “It’s very convenient here. For example, if you want to eat at night, you can find stores that are open 24 hours. In Kyrgyzstan, most stores close before midnight. And the level of safety here is high: no one bothers you on the street, especially girls,” says Saykal.
However, one of the most unusual features for her has been the strict waste sorting system. “In Kyrgyzstan, everything is usually thrown away in one bag, but here you need to separate plastic, paper, metal, and glass. If you mix them, you can get a hefty fine. Offenders are quickly found using cameras,” she noted.
Saykal has been living in Korea for about six months. During this time, she has participated in volunteer activities and visited various cities. “I have been here for six months. Although I haven't achieved much yet, I have participated in international summits as a volunteer, improved my Korean language skills, took part in student travel programs, and visited several cities for free,” she said.
According to the girl, the support of her family has helped her cope with difficulties. “There haven’t been any major difficulties — my loved ones helped me. But I still miss my parents, brothers, and sisters. I hope everything will be fine. There are many Kyrgyz people in my city — we meet periodically. Meetings are often organized among students,” she shared.
When it comes to the future, Saykal expresses her desire to return to Kyrgyzstan and contribute to the country's development. “In the future, I plan to graduate from university, obtain my diploma, and return to my homeland. I want to benefit Kyrgyzstan, find a good job, and apply the knowledge I gained in Korea to improve our education system,” concluded Saykal Karybekova.
