Name: Jan-Jaap Sas
Email: sas.janjaap@gmail.com
Exchange semester: KIMEP University Fall
Semester 2013
Academic Year: 2013-2014
Host University: KIMEP University
Country:
Kazakhstan
City: Almaty
I KIMEP University in Kazakhstan
During the fall semester of 2013 I studied at KIMEP
University in Kazakhstan, Almaty. Almaty is the largest city of Kazakhstan with 1.4 million
inhabitants. The city is a mix of old Soviet-style buildings, beautiful large parks located
between the steppes and the mountains. The city has a large number restaurants and clubs
where you can go out at night. Going there is no problem because every car is a taxi in this
city and the costs of transportation are very low. Also the new Metro line provides a quick
way of transportation to several areas in the city, and it is still under construction to get easier
access to more places. The most important places are around the central district of Dostyk lane
which is the main road to almost every sightseeing in Almaty. Other places that are nearby are
the Ski-resort Shimbulak (1-hour from the city center, open from December-March) and Big
Almaty Lake. The city is one of the ancient Silk-Road cities and going to Almaty gives you
not only the opportunity to see the great Green Bazaar, but many other likewise places that
will truly show you the Central Asia Experience.
The university is located in the city center near district Almaty-1, Dostyk and Abay
street. Although the Kazakh language is promoted by the government, city street names are
still in most cases referred to in the Russian language. The university has a very small campus
compared to Tilburg. It takes a maximum of 5 minutes to walk from 1 side to another.
Although the university has a small campus, it still has everything you need including a
dormitory, sports Center, café’s, library, and big aula for (music) auditions. Supermarkets
and other restaurants are located within a 10 minute walk-range. The foods served at the
restaurants and at the university cafés are Central Asian (a lot of meat, rice and/or noodles).
The prices vary from 600-1000 Tenge which is 3-5 euro for a good meal. Western products
are available in the nearby shops but are in most cases imported and are therefore pricy
compared to the Netherlands. Books can be rented from the library for free during the
semester.
II Practical Information
Getting a Visa for Kazakhstan takes a lot of time. It not only takes a lot of time, also after
arriving in Almaty there are some procedures you need to follow. One of the most important
documents you need for your visa application is send by KIMEP University 3 months in
advance. This document is your invitation letter and needs to be handed in with the other
documents at the consulate of Kazakhstan in The Hague. The costs for the Visa should be 50
euro (single-entry visa). Do not get tricked if the consulate tells you that you are applying for
a multiple visa. Your visa gets extended after arriving in Kazakhstan, not in the Netherlands.
Arriving in Kazakhstan can be quite a shock. English is not spoken by almost anyone, and it
this can be a difficult experience. However, KIMEP University arranges a driver to pick you
up from the airport and for at least a week you can stay in the dormitory at campus. For future
students I would suggest to request a dormitory spot, not only is this cheaper but it will let you
be in the center of activities and you will get more involved in the Central Asian culture. I
unfortunately heard 1 week before I arrived that I did not receive a spot at the dormitory. So
my suggestion for upcoming students is to request this not only personal, but also with the
International Office of Tilburg. There is not introduction week at KIMEP University; however
there are some activities organized such as a welcome day and international student day. Also
there is a student association KISA and let’s go Travel that can help you around during your
exchange. The difference is however that you need to ask for it and need to put some effort in
it to get things done. During your first 2 weeks you still need to register to get your visa
extended and these two associations can help you with it. The international office is there to
help you with registering courses and after the shock of the first 2 weeks you will start to feel
at home.
I lived in an apartment 10 minutes’ walk from the University. It was a small
apartment and the costs were relatively high (1100 Dollar per month). However, I could share
the apartment with 5 other students to make the price more convenient. The University does
not organize a lot of activities, although some such as welcome and farewell parties are
included. Activities to see more of Kazakhstan are organized by associations such as Let’s
Go Travel, but after a while and with someone who has a good command of Russian you are
more than capable of going with a small group to several places around the country by
yourself.
If you are going to Kazakhstan you must feel being up for an adventure and should
have a certain interest in beautiful nature. The adventure lies in the fact that things are not
always going as planned and authorities are very strict. Although Almaty is located between
beautiful mountains and steppes, there is a lot more to see. The 2nd largest Canyon of the world
(Charyn Canyon), Kaindy Lake (top 50 places you have to see before you die) and a dessert
are just a few examples of the great places you can visit. Besides that there is enough time to
make larger trips to the Capital Astana and countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and
Tajikistan. Visiting these countries is definitely a must to see the wide range of different
cultures among Central Asia. Also, what is cooler than to visit places where there are almost
no tourists and you truly experience the real Central Asian culture?
III ACADEMIC INFORMATION
The lectures of the fall semester 2013 started officially at the 2th of September and
ended with an exam period until 20th of December. Kazakhstan has a lot of holidays and
although there is an intensive program, there is still enough time to relax from time to time. In
the first week of the semester there is an add-drop period in which you can follow the courses
that you picked out and can attend any class you find interesting. After this week you can sign
up your courses at the International Office and they will take of the registration. Some courses
that you might pick in the Netherlands can be cancelled due to a low interest. However, when
classes are almost full, you as an exchange student have a privilege over regular students.
I took three English taught courses: Central Asia-Russia Relations, Terrorism and
Security, Theories of International Relations and one course taught in Russian: Russian for
beginners. You are expected (and graded) to participate actively in discussion and prepare
presentations for all courses, including the one in Russian. Participation and presentations are
graded for at least 20% of your final grade and passing courses is easier compared to Tilburg.
The final exams however are comparable to Tilburg standards and therefore getting a high
grade still demands some effort. I would personally recommend Central Asia-Russia Relations
and Terrorism and Security out of personal interest and great teachers. It has broadened my
view on several International political and security aspects. The Russian for beginners course
is tough to follow, but is really useful in getting around on your own to order simple things in
restaurants and shops.
Course
Code
Prerequisite
Russian for
beginners
RUS1301
No
Terrorism &
Security
IRL3516
No
Central AsiaRussia Relations
IRL4528
No
Theories of
International
Relations
IRL5513
No
Examination
Midterms/Prese
ntation/Assign
ments
Final
Written/Listeni
ng/Speaking
exam
Midterms/Prese
ntation/Assign
ments/Final
Written exam
Midterms/Prese
ntation/Assign
ments/Final
Written exam
Midterms/Prese
ntation/Final
Written exam
Level
Credit
Undergraduate
3
Undergraduate
3
Undergraduate
3
Undergraduate
The grading system is different from Tilburg University. It is easier to get full points
when an answer is correct, therefore getting an A+ (90% or higher) is possible. Besides
getting grades for your courses, KIMEP University gives out certificates for excellent students
that help out with certain events. These certificates can be earned for almost anything, as long
as you will volunteer and participate actively. Overall I am very satisfied over the education at
KIMEP University and the extra-curricular appreciation.
I had an amazing exchange at KIMEP University. I learned Russian, got to know a lot more
about the upcoming political and economic powers in Central Asia; I met the greatest and
nicest people and was able to see some unforgettable places from desserts to mountains to
lakes to canyons to big soviet style cities to ancient mosques to beautiful parks to poor
villages. This is an experience you can have to if you choose Kazakhstan as your future
exchange destination!
IV Additional Information
Average Costs
Daily trips
Traveling through Central Asia
Cheap Restaurants close by
Best Clubs
Must visit
Bus to Kyrgystan
Must eat
Daredevil recipe
Enjoy your stay in Kazakhstan
700 Euro Per Month (including housing,
eating, clubbing, excluding traveling)
20-40 Euro
450-700 Euro (including Visa costs)
Kaganat & Mr Donerci
Esperanza & Chukotka
Shimbulak, Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake,
Astana, Kyrgystan, Uzbekistan & Tajikistan
Sairan busstation (10 Euro) 3,5 hours of
traveling time
Plof & Laghman
Horse Milk, Sheep’s head and hard goat
cheese