Culture shock, a step beyond

Culture shock Kazakhstan and beyond

Jeff Tam travelled in Kazakhstan on an exchange tour sponsored by the HKFYG Belt and Road Initiative. The experience opened his eyes to the diversity of other cultures and confirmed his view that the more we know of them the better.

“Why did I choose Kazakhstan? Three reasons: I’d When Jeff and his companions talked to locals about never been there, it has many interesting types of education, he learned how focused they were on succeeding landscape and I was fascinated by its culture.” in business. “They believe firmly that if the country However, core values and core traditions are strong, as are the seemed eager to go overseas and were confident in the potential of their country to become an international hub, with its position in Central Asia and its rich oil deposits. wants to advance, it must be through business studies. Looking back, Jeff says he There is not a lot of science expected a hybrid culture, or engineering at tertiary an even mix of European and Chinese. “In reality, it I expected a hybrid culture, an level. Personally, I was quite surprised as most Hong was more westernized than Asian,” he says. Although its predominant religion even mix of European and Chinese. In reality, it was more Kong people today believe that STEM is important.” is Islam, “Its people did not seem to me to be such westernized than Asian. The most eye-opening part of Jeff’s trip was the mountain devout Muslims as they are in scenery. “Almaty city and the some other Asian countries. towering snowy mountains In fact, I found them to be much more open and a lot overlooking it, were breath-taking. We visited Shymbulak, of those who practice were called weekend-believers.” originally to be the home of the Winter Olympics when ethnic bonds which Jeff could see were emphasized at tribal A deeper understanding of a Belt and Road country was one celebrations and festivities. Compared to Middle Eastern of Jeff’s key takeaways and he encourages other youngsters countries, he found more gender equality, “at least in terms to take as many trips abroad as possible. He also says they of clothing and males and females can interact quite freely.” should look around them when at home. “Hong Kong The younger generation is quite internationalized. They try to socialize with people from other cultures wherever have Qpop, or Kazakhstan-pop and Kazakhstani youngsters we are in the world to understand each other better.” the mountains already had a white cap of snow.” has such a huge mix of ethnicities. We should definitely “Before the trip, I may have stereotyped Kazakhstanis and considered them more conservative than they really are. Nevertheless, an age divide definitely exists.” More details Youth Exchange Unit ye.hkfyg.org.hk