My name is Marzhan from Kazakhstan and I am majoring in business administration. I volunteered in Uzbekistan in summer vacation. For the first time, foreign students went on the overseas volunteer activity to celebrate our university’s 60th anniversary. I was very happy to be a member of the group of 6 foreign students.
When I applied for this program, I expected a lot. I had an interview and waited for the result. One Friday, one of my friends called me and congratulated me on my success. I could not believe it.
In the first meeting, a staff member of the Office of Student Welfare and Career Support, Jang Yo-seon, told us we were the select 1 percent of Keimyung University. Other students were from various departments and had lots of experiences in various fields. When I met them, I worried that I might not be good enough compared to the other students. I wanted to be good friends with them. However, we became one big family.
The overseas volunteer activity was exciting for me. I was excited to have a new experience in Uzbekistan with Korean friends. Also, I was excited to go to a place which has a similar atmosphere to Kazakhstan. We cannot forget the happiness of the children. We were very touched by the children’s true love while volunteering. I think we learned the simplicity of happiness from the children’s love.
There were some difficult, upsetting, funny, and happy moments. Every moment was a big lesson for me. The moment I cannot forget is going to the market. I still have the memory of considering which food would be better for our group members in hot Uzbekistan weather with the cooking team and the principal of the school where we worked. A lady always greeted us happily at the market and the principal looked after me like his daughter. When I saw kimchi and Korean snacks at a mart, I was happy and thought, “I became Korean.” Through various activities, I understood each person and appreciated their help. They became like father, brothers, and sisters to me. Each member of the Uzbekistan group feels like family to me.
I thought Uzbekistan was similar to Kazakhstan before I went there. However, I thought it was different from us. Kazakhstan is located between Europe and Asia, and our culture is a mixture of Western and Eastern culture. I felt Uzbekistan still has tradition. Also, I felt this country is really beautiful. Visiting Samarkand and Buhara, which are historical cities, I thought about Gyeongju. Gyeongju is the city which still shows Korea’s history. Buhara and Samarkand had a huge effect on Uzbekistan and central Asia’s history. When you visit these cities, you can see not only the Silk Road but also the history of Uzbekistan.
I made lots of good friends in Uzbekistan. I have an unchangeable memory. While volunteering, everyone found their goal, and life after volunteering seems like starting a new life. The Uzbekistan volunteers, professors, dean, and staff of the Office of Student Welfare and Career Support are now my big Korean family.
