Struggling to Breathe: A Canadian’s Perspective on Bishkek’s Ecology
Canadian Expat Living in Kyrgyzstan Shares Her Experiences
Joy, a marketing specialist from Toronto, Canada, made the move to Kyrgyzstan two and a half years ago. She works with a US-based company that focuses on bringing artificial intelligence into the healthcare sector. To document her time in the country, Joy created an Instagram account – @joyinkyrgyzstan and a travel blog, where she shares her experiences and provides useful travel guides for potential visitors to Kyrgyzstan.
In an interview with 24.kg news agency, Joy shared her thoughts on what has surprised her about Kyrgyzstan, the things she misses, and her plans for the future. She arrived in the country in 2022 with her Kyrgyz boyfriend, whom she met in South Korea while living as a digital nomad. Having previously lived in Germany, USA, and South Korea, Joy was excited to explore the lesser-known destination of Kyrgyzstan.
One of the first things that surprised her about the country was the rugged landscape and the awe-inspiring snow-capped mountains that earned Kyrgyzstan the nickname “Switzerland in Central Asia.” She also noticed the attention to detail when it came to the appearance of Kyrgyz women, such as nails, eyelashes, and hair, and the widespread use of WhatsApp for communication and bookings.
While she appreciates the hospitality and friendliness of the people in Bishkek, Joy admits missing certain aspects of life back in Canada, such as fast delivery and access to a wider variety of cuisines. Despite these challenges, she has found a favorite place in Bishkek – Orto-Sai market, where she goes for groceries and has established a connection with the local vendors.
When it comes to the local cuisine, Joy has developed a fondness for plov, samsy, and boorsoks and looks forward to enjoying sweet and juicy watermelon in the summer. However, she admitted to being cautious about certain traditional dishes with sour tastes.
Joy has been fascinated by the presence of Koreans and the popularity of Korean culture in Kyrgyzstan. However, she has also been disappointed by the air pollution in the country, which has had a negative impact on her health.
Regarding her plans for the future, Joy intends to return to Canada or the United States, where she feels most comfortable and believes there are better career opportunities in the technology sector.
After two and a half years in Kyrgyzstan, Joy has explored and experienced the country in various ways and has valuable insights to share for others interested in venturing to this lesser-known destination.
