Saikal was born in 2007 in the Uzgen district. She shares that she studied in the village of Myrza-Ake until the 9th grade and then completed her 10th and 11th grades in Bishkek. Now, she is studying the Korean language at Kyungwoon University.
Saikal's interest in Korea began during her school years. “Like many girls, at the age of 10-12, I became fascinated with K-pop and dramas, and that’s when I decided to study in Korea. Starting from the 10th grade, I began to seriously learn the language and study the culture of the country. After finishing the 11th grade, I moved here for my education,” she recounts.
Saikal admits that she enjoys life in Korea, although she faces some challenges. “I feel very comfortable here: cleanliness, tranquility, and most people are friendly and ready to help. Of course, there are also rude people — there are no perfect places,” she added.
The girl noted that Korea differs from Kyrgyzstan in terms of convenience. “It’s very convenient here. For example, if you want to eat at night, there’s always a store nearby that is open 24 hours. In Kyrgyzstan, most stores close by midnight. Moreover, the level of safety is high: no one bothers you on the street, which is especially nice for girls,” she says.
The strict waste sorting system has become one of the most unusual aspects of life in Korea for Saikal. “In Kyrgyzstan, people often throw everything away together. But here, you need to separate plastic, paper, metal, and glass. If you don’t follow the rules, you can get a serious fine, and violators are quickly found through cameras,” she explained.
Saikal has been living in Korea for about six months. During this time, she has managed to participate in volunteer projects and visit various cities. “I have been here for six months. Although I haven’t achieved much yet, I have participated in several international summits as a volunteer, improved my Korean language skills, and traveled for free to several cities,” she shared.
According to Saikal, she has managed to avoid serious difficulties thanks to her family’s support. “There haven’t been any major problems — my relatives have always helped. But I miss my parents, brothers, and sisters — it’s not easy. I hope everything will be fine. There are many Kyrgyz people in my city; we sometimes meet, and gatherings are organized among students,” she said.
Speaking about her plans, Saikal expressed her desire to return to Kyrgyzstan and contribute to the development of the country.
“I intend to finish university, get my diploma, and return home. I want to contribute to the development of Kyrgyzstan, find a good job, and apply the knowledge I gained in Korea to improve our educational system,” noted Saikal Karybekova.
