Astana, Kazakhstan

Baiterek in the Fall.

Since we are in Astana, we will do a small story (2:30) for a new programme on Euronews, Learning World. The subject is Bolashak. Bolashak is a State programme to finance studies. Any student can apply and they pay for full university studies anywhere in the world. You have to speak the language of the country where you study as well as Kazak. Most everyone in Kazakhstan is bi-lingual, speaking Kazak, a Turkish language, as well as Russian. I have heard that the best Russian is spoken in Kazakhstan because the intelligensia fled Russia during the Revolution and as the Bolsheviks killed academics in Moscow, those who fled were able to survive here. The Kazaks live between two big powers, China and Russia and have been able to survive with diplomacy.

The main walkway in Astana.

Anyway, back to the study programme. The country is rich with ressources and the goal of Bolashak is to create a highly educated population. After completing their studies, graduates have to come back to Kazakhstan (or work abroad for Kazakhstan) for five years.

We also filmed in Nazerbaev University which is ultra-modern. I didn’t think to take any pictures because I was so involed in filming it. There is a huge open area with palm trees and water. Students can rest, study, sing under the palm trees while it is -40 degrees outside with snow up to the roof!