Experience in Astana, Kazakhstan by Akbota

What is it like to live in Astana? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Astana is capital of Kazkahstan, it is going to host the EXPO 2017 the coming year. In terms of climate. Astana is the most cold city in Kazakhstan, some time is very windy in winter with heavy snow, some school usually cut off class or any kind of school activity during this kind of weather, the winter last for 4-5 months, starts from mid of November to end of March. In Summer, there is a significant temperature difference between morning and daytime, summer is not Hot in this city, air is fresh, there is a river called Esil. It divided the city as left band and right band, the left band is mainly as city centre, with diplomatic ministry, city library, recreation centres, shopping malls, churchs, mosques, parks, etc. The famous university among the country is Nazarbayev University, this university is founded with British government, all the education systems is highly developed, the teaching and educating stuffs all from western country, it enrolls many foreign students every year, it is yielding many of intelligent student understand the advanced teaching strategies, people in Astana city speaks with Russian and Kazkah, as kazakh is national language, Astana city is not noisy. It is quite but not lacking of live atmosphere, many buildings is designed furistically, when you walk in Astana, you will not feel any pressure of life, people are with good manner to foreign people. You will feel the Astana is semi European and Asia culture. You can discover every culture here.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Astana?

Student can spend their spare time in National sport gym. Like swimming, basketball, tennis, and bicycling. Student can use public bicycle for going down city from campus or take bus as transportation. Astana city is good for bicycling. The traffic is not too much annoying.

How much does it cost to live in Astana?

150000-200000kzt (housing with higher quality) 400-500 euro per month.

3500-4000 kzt meals per day (breakfast :300-450kzt, Lunch :800-1500kzt.supper 800-1000).

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Astana? Is there any advice you can give?

Usually the university will provide the student for accommodation.

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What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

I like the shashilik in Keruyen and Turkish yogurt.

What places would you recommend visiting in Astana?

Khan shatyr. bayterek square.

Is it good to eat out in Astana? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

I like the Izbyshka resterant, the cost is not expensive is foods are delicious and there are also restaurant around for Italian foods, Turkish foods, Chinese foods.

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Is the nightlife good in Astana? Where is good to go?

There is lots of recreation centre in this city, like Keruyen. Asia park, Khan Sahtyr.

What advice would you give future students heading to Astana?

Bring more winter warm cloths! If you are a skiting lover, you can bring your skitting facilities. In case you are going to Almaty for skiing in winter at Shymbulak! It is a skiing spot which have been attracting lots of skiing lovers all around the world, don't miss chance.

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