Dancing Around the World

On the ground floor of the Hoxton Hotel in Rome is a beautiful lounge area where people go to study, work remotely, or meet with others. This is where I met Zhazira, a Kazakh design student at the Rome University of Fine Arts (RUFA). Zhazira decided to study abroad and was drawn to Italy due to its rich history in design. She considered multiple universities in the country for her studies but decided on Rome because she loved the feel of the city. “Rome feels like there are always things happening, and here there is such a connection to history. I think the biggest charm about the city is its history,” Zhazira told me. A difference that she has noticed between Kazakhs and Italians is the difference in architecture that is still around. Since Kazakhs are nomadic people, they do not have as much to physically show from their history as far as buildings and such, compared to Italians. In Rome, there are still many visible pieces of history. Due to the nomadic lifestyle that Kazaks historically have had, they keep their history alive through textiles, dances, stories, food, and other traditions. She has enjoyed learning and seeing the Roman history that is on almost every street corner in the city. Not only does she love the city of Rome, but she also loves her university, RUFA. Since RUFA is a private university, many of the professors still work in the professional design world. Zhazira loves learning from people who are currently working as designers. This real-world experience will give her a more well-rounded education. In addition to their design, Italians are known for their laid-back lifestyle. This is something that Zhazira loves and wants to continue to implement in her own life no matter where she lives. She loves how they are not overly stressed about their life, as long as they have good weather and good people, they are content. This relaxed atmosphere that Italians create in their lives is something that she would want to take back with her if she ever moves back to Kazakhstan. Zhazira loves to travel and has spent time not only in Europe and Central Asia, but also China and the United States. She thinks it is best to spend at least a month somewhere, so that you can really get a feel for the culture and learn from the locals what their life looks like. She is eager to visit more countries and experience other cultures.

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is a time of renewal, rebirth, and joy. For centuries, it has been celebrated by millions of people across Central Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. This vibrant festival marks the first day of spring, typically around March 20 or 21, and is filled with rich cultural customs that honor family, nature, and the promise of a new year. While I had heard of Nowruz before, I had the incredible opportunity this year to experience it in a truly unique way: surrounded by friends, laughter, and delicious food with a group of Kazakh people. It all began when I met Tahkmina, a wonderful Kazakh woman who takes immense pride in her heritage and traditions. She invited me to join her and her family to celebrate Nowruz and I couldn't have been more thrilled! To add a little twist, this celebration included not just Tahkmina and her family, but also ten other Kazakh friends who were eager to share their customs and stories with me. When it comes to Kazakh food, one dish reigns supreme - beshbarmak. This dish, whose name translates to “five fingers” (referring to the way it is traditionally eaten with the hands), is a true Kazakh favorite. It consists of tender boiled meat, typically mutton or beef, served over wide noodles and smothered in a savory onion sauce. Tahkmina also prepared a feast that reflected both her love for her culture and her desire to make every guest feel at home. Along with beshbarmak, the table was filled with delicious candies, fruits, and chocolates - sweet treats that are an essential part of any Kazakh celebration. The dessert table featured an assortment of traditional pastries, and we washed everything down with Tashkent tea. One of my favorite parts of the celebration was the chance to get dressed in traditional Kazakh clothing. Tahkmina shared with us a room full of Kazakh national dresses, along with many jewelry options. The attire felt like a direct connection to the past, a way of honoring the rich history and customs of the Kazakh people. Once we were all dressed up, we gathered for photos. The people I gathered with that day reminded me that Nowruz is more than just a new year. It’s a time to gather, to appreciate what we have, and to look forward to the future with hope and optimism. I hope you enjoyed reading about my Nowruz celebration! Have you ever experienced Nowruz? Or maybe you have a favorite cultural tradition that you cherish?

Imagine hundreds of years ago walking up to the gates of a city you had never visited before. The city is in a land far from where you call home, and the people speak a language you don’t understand well. You have been told to go to a certain location in that city, but upon walking up to the city gate, you have no idea how to get there. What would you do? For Central Asians who fly to Germany, the above description is close to what some experience. Recently, I was on a plane from Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Munich, Germany. Among the passengers were a group of Tajik men, many of whom were on their way to work as truck drivers in Eastern Europe. For these men, the flight to Munich is one of the few and most affordable options possible to come to this part of the world. Once they had passed through border control and picked up their bags, they stood standing in a group, waiting to figure out how to proceed to the busses that would take them throughout Europe. That is when the “Guide” shows up – James*. James* is a younger Tajik man who has lived for several years in Germany. When Tajiks arrive in the Munich airport, he comes to help them out. On that day, he was helping 12 men get metro tickets to the bus stations in the city. He enjoys helping people, and routinely helping Tajiks upon arrival in Munich has given him a good reputation for those in need of his aid. By helping people at the airport with their baggage, paperwork, and metro tickets, he serves as the “Guide” at this Gate to Europe, pointing the arrivals forward as they encounter life in this new land. Later that day, James* and I sat down for dinner in a district of Munich full of people who now call Germany home. The atmosphere in the restaurant was certainly Central Asian - he ordered Afghani plov and tea by speaking in Tajiki, while music that can be heard in taxi cabs across Dushanbe was playing in the background. We ate our delicious meal together as James* shared about life in Europe and his aspirations for the future. Though it seems that Europe has had an impact on him, he has not lost his heritage. Between helping those at the airport and then inviting me along for dinner that night, he was still displaying the fantastic Central Asian hospitality far from home. *While James is not his birth name, it is the name he uses when he meets English speakers.

I think it is truly spectacular to meet someone and instantly become great friends with them across the world. That is what happened the day we met Seher. While in Norway, I was looking for some friends to connect with that could help me learn more about different cultures in Norway. While searching on Instagram. I came across Seher. I immediately reached out to her to ask if she would be willing to meet up! To my surprise, she said “yes”, and we planned a time for the next week. We met at the cutest cafe in Drammen, Norway. While drinking coffee we learned about Seher’s life and what brought her to Norway. Seher grew up in the Eastern part of Turkey and considers herself to be a Turkish-Kurd. She loves her family and is very close to them. Her father is an Imam, and her mother stays at home. Seher decided she wanted to travel and see the world after college, so she decided to backpack around Europe for a little bit. One day while she was in Italy she met a friend, but little did she know that this friend would change her life forever. She hung out with a group of people that night and one of the guys in the group showed interest in her. While she thought this was sweet, she knew that she did not have time to pursue a relationship. So instead, they kept in contact and communicated back and forth for a few days, which led to months. After a few months of traveling Seher moved back to Istanbul where she fell back into her normal day-to-day routine. She and the friend she met still continued to communicate until finally he asked to visit her in Istanbul. She said “yes” and to this day the rest is history. This man soon became her husband, and they married roughly a year later. He was from Norway, and soon they started their new lives in Drammen. Seher grew up wanting to learn more about different cultures and loving to travel which made her move to Norway smooth. While the language has been difficult to learn, she is still persistent in seeking to learn it. Seher has been able to make a few close friends and has gotten close to her husband's family. She believes that when a person moves to a new place, they should seek to adapt to the new place that they are living in. Whether this is adapting to language, culture, or environment, it should be a priority. She thinks that you should work hard to integrate yourself into society. While there are still some vital parts of Seher’s culture that she wants to keep, she mostly wants to fit into the new society that she is a part of. Seher is in the process of starting up her own company! She loves adventure and is excited about this new stage of her life. While she still makes trips to see her family in Turkey, she is excited about her new life here in Drammen. She was a joy to talk It was so much fun to share about our travels together and for her to give us some very helpful tips! Her love for her home and where she is now was apparent in our conversation. Seher even has an Instagram account dedicated to Turks in Norway and her experiences. Seher is incredibly smart and determined, she excels at all that she does. She is excited to see what the future holds, and I am excited that that future holds a new friend. Drinking coffee with her was the highlight of my day and helped me learn so much about the struggles and blessings of moving to a new place. How sweet it is to be strangers one minute and then to instantly become sweet friends the next!

I got to meet with Aziza, an Uzbek woman who moved to Switzerland as a child, leaving behind her home country to build a new life. Growing up in a foreign country wasn't always easy, but Aziza had big dreams. She pursued a degree in business and law, followed by a certificate in economics. Some amazing accomplishments from someone who had a fresh start in a new culture and language. But recently, Aziza's life took an unexpected turn. After years of focusing on her career and academic achievements, she found herself looking for something more. That’s when she discovered dancing. It started as a way to stay healthy, to find balance between her demanding work life and her personal well-being. But something exciting happened - dance became more than just exercise. It became a way to connect with herself, to express what words couldn’t, and most importantly, to feel truly confident in her own skin. Aziza isn’t just dancing for herself, though. She’s passionate about encouraging other women - especially those who might not have always felt the same confidence in their bodies or their abilities - to embrace what they are capable of. Whether you're 18 or 50, dance is for everyone, and it’s a beautiful way to express yourself. Now, Aziza’s sharing this journey with other women in Zuri ch, hoping to inspire them to take that first step onto the dance floor and feel the freedom that comes with it. She leads a great example for those wanting to start something new in life. And no matter where you come from, it’s never too late to begin. Aziza’s story is a reminder that life is about more than just achievements - it’s about feeling good in your own skin and building confidence, one step at a time.

Have you ever wanted to study abroad in Italy? Anel, a Kazakh master’s student living in Milan, helps Kazakh students to achieve their dream of studying in Italy. She has clients that she helps one-on-one, but she also has a blog where she posts about studying and living in Italy. Anel was inspired to start her blog because there are many opportunities offered to international students in Italy, but finding the right place for each person and doing the paperwork can be daunting. Her hope is to grow her platform, so that she can help even more people have the same opportunities that she has had! Anel is currently working on her thesis about migrants in Italy, specifically people who have been forced to migrate due to conflict or instability in their home country. She will hopefully complete her masters in the summer. After she finishes her degree, Anel will move back to Kazakhstan, and she will continue her work as a consultant to students looking to study abroad. However, she will miss the life that she has built in Italy, “In one month, I can visit two or three countries. I have a very colorful life here, and I will miss that when I move back to Kazakhstan.” She has gotten to visit many cool places like Lisbon, Paris, Genoa, and Vienna. Of all her travels, she enjoyed Paris the most though. “Paris is a city that I could visit over and over again,” she told me. Of course, the main attractions were interesting, but it was the magic of the city as a whole that drew her in. Even though Anel has loved the past year and a half in Italy, she still misses her home culture. Most of her days are spent speaking in English, so she loves when she is with other Kazakhs and gets the opportunity to speak in Kazakh. Anel is also really involved with the Association of Kazakhstani Students in Italy and even went to Munich to meet with other Kazakhstani student organizations from around Europe. The community that this association has provided has allowed her to feel connected to home; while also using this time abroad to grow as a person. Living here, she has had the responsibility of figuring things out on her own, which has helped her to grow more confident in who she is as a person and in her decisions. Her time living abroad has expanded her horizons, and she is excited for whatever will come next!

In Drammen, Norway we got the privilege of eating at a beautiful cafe called Cappadocia. In Turkey, there is a wonderful area known across the world for its hot air balloons and this place is known as Cappadocia. While this place is known all across the world for its beauty, this restaurant is known across Drammen for its amazing food and wonderful atmosphere. While I was there, I met a waitress who was incredibly nice and welcoming. She took care of our needs and even invited us to hang out after. She was Romanian but had recently moved to Norway to be with her childhood sweetheart. They had known each other throughout elementary school because they were in the same classes together, but eventually, he moved away. He moved to Spain to study for college, but they still stayed in contact and started dating shortly after. They eventually decided to move to Norway together to start their new life. She got a job as a waitress in the beautiful restaurant Cappadocia. She had been working there only a few months when I met her. While she was from Romania, the rest of the workers were from a small city known as Konya, Turkey. They were excited to talk about their restaurant and how much they enjoyed working there. This was made evident by the wonderful Turkish food we ate there. It was so authentic and felt as if we were back in Turkey. The place was decorated like we were inside a cave with beautiful Turkish lamps lighting the way. This meal brought happiness to everyone's eyes that entered. We were shocked by how massive the food portions were. I ordered Pide, which is similar to a Turkish-style pizza but is thicker. It is made with a special mix of Turkish meat and vegetables. It comes with a salad with lettuce, pickled onions, tomatoes, and lemon to squeeze on top. The flavor of the lemon really adds to the taste of the pizza. It causes the flavors to be enhanced and allows a burst of flavors to explode in your mouth all at once. After enjoying our wonderful food, we were met with a great surprise at the end of our visit. We were brought Turkish tea, which is a must-have with any Turkish meal! This tea was brewed to perfection and ended the meal with a spectacular bang. If you are near the Drammen/Oslo area and want to experience the real culture of Turkey, stop by Cappadocia where you will be taken on a journey which you will never return the same.

On a side-street in Milan, in restaurant that makes their own handmade pasta, I met with Gaukhar, a Kazakh living in the city. We chatted over delicious carbonara amid the hum of other patrons. Gaukhar is a student at the University of Milan studying International Politics, Law, and Economics. She also works remotely as a translator for Russian, Kazakh, and English. On top of all that, Gaukhar is the vice-president of the Association of Kazakhstani Students in Italy. She helps to organize celebrations, meet-ups, and even Kazakh language events. In addition to events in Milan, she helps coordinate events all across Italy. Gaukhar’s dedication and love for the student association was evident as we talked. She told me, “One cool thing about studying abroad is that you not only get to network with people from other countries, but I have also gotten to know Kazakhs from different parts of Kazakhstan. I probably would not have met them if I hadn’t moved to Italy, but now I have friends and contacts all over Kazakhstan.” These connections will be helpful as she continues to pursue a career in international relations, hopefully one day working in an embassy. From the beginning, Gaukhar has loved her time in Italy. She loves the food, culture, and opportunities that studying in Italy has afforded her. Since she has lived in Milan for almost three years now, she knows all the good spots and gave me lots of recommendations for my time here. Last year, Guakhar had a unique opportunity to do an Erasmus program in Slovenia. Her classmates were from many countries including Italy, Turkey, Canada, and Japan. She loves to travel, so this program was perfect for her because she got to explore more of Europe outside of Italy. This was especially helpful as she is looking toward getting her masters in another country. I had such a great getting to know Gaukhar and hearing about her experience in Italy. I hope this will not be the last time we see each other!

In Kyrgyzstan, we were enchanted with a small town named Talas that will charm you with its slow pace of life and welcoming residents. Talas is a town of only around 40,000 residents. It is located in the middle of two mountain ranges, providing beautiful views everywhere you look! One of these welcoming residents we got to meet was named Melek. Melek’s grandparents came to Kyrgyzstan from Türkiye. To S, her Turkish heritage is very important. Although she has never been to the beautiful land of Türkiye herself, she is planning to go soon! Melek spoke about her life in Talas and how she preserves her Turkish heritage. Although her family speaks Russian at home, Melek and her husband speak Turkish. Even though there is a small number of Turks in Talas, Melek views maintaining her Turkish culture as extremely valuable. Melek also spoke about the mixture of cultures within their home and how she navigates that. Melek’s mother-in-law is orthodox, so their religious practices are a bit mixed. In her family, they celebrate orthodox holidays as well as Islamic holidays! Melek spoke fondly about the orthodox tradition of dying eggs for Easter. She also mentioned celebrating Bayram together as a family, which is a celebration marking the end of Ramadan. Bayram signifies a time of joy and generosity with loved ones, focusing on gratitude after a period of fasting. Melek mentioned that this mix of religion isn’t typical for families living in this area, but they embrace each other’s culture, knowing that loyalty to family is key. Melek’s story inspired us of the importance of maintaining and valuing culture even when it feels distant. What are some of the ways you value your culture?