Feruza Jumaniyozova is an Uzbek singer. She has released songs in Tajik, Uyghur, Farsi, Dari, Turkmen, Azeri, Hindi, Turkish, and Uzbek. Feruza was born on 14 Feebruary, 1984 in Khorezm, in the Uzbek SSR. She started performing music when she was three. Originally wanting to be a doctor, she enrolled in the Institute of Medicine […]

While abroad, it’s natural to get a bit homesick and start craving the comfort foods we are used to. While we recomended that you dive into the local culture as much as possible, sometimes seeing foreign takes on American classics can be interesting and educational… right? Here’s a list of six fast food places that […]

Kurmanjan Datka is a historical drama about a woman who helped unite Kyrgyzstan’s fourty tribes into a nation to fight the invading Russian forces. Recently, a modern film was made of her life and deeds. It is called simply Kurmanjan Datka, although it was released with English subtitles with a second name: Queen of the […]

Coffee culture has come to Bishkek! The Kyrgyz are becoming more discerning consumers and this can be seen in its developing food and beverage business. I’ve had more than a semester to explore Bishkek’s many coffee shop offerings, and now present here my list of Bishkek’s five best coffee shops.   #5) Куликовский 41 Gorky […]

Most things are significantly cheaper in Bishkek than America – gym memberships are not. Monthly memberships at a Planet Fitness back home can be had for as little as $9.99. In Bishkek, a month at a no-frills gym with little equipment will start at 1000 soms ($14). A decent gym will cost at least $30-$50 […]

The London School, where the SRAS students in Bishkek study, is located near a small shopping mall known as the VEFA Center. Due to its proximity, VEFA is where most students do their shopping. It also hosts many rotating attractions, however, in the large presentation space at the main entrance. Sometimes this is marketing for […]

I come from Montana, which has the 2nd most craft breweries per capita among US states. I proudly carry this new Montana tradition as my own and I’ve been on the lookout to satisfy my craft beer craving while studying in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Luckily, from recommendations and word of mouth, I’ve found several bars in […]

Thanks to a couple of local friends, I had the opportunity to check out an extreme sports place called On the Wake, which I don’t think I would have ended up finding otherwise. I was told by my friends that this was an indoor trampoline park, which was true, but there was also a lot […]