FAQs

 Since announcing I was joining the Peace Corps and moving to Kyrgyzstan here are the questions I've received most frequently (and if you have any of your own questions, feel free to let me know):

Is it the Kyrgyz Republic or Kyrgyzstan? And how do you pronounce it?

    The answer is both!! Officially, the country has been known as the Kyrgyz Republic since 1993. However, I've noticed majority, if not all, of local Kyrgyz people refer to it as Kyrgyzstan. 

    Kyrgyzstan is pronounced "Kur-guh-stahn" or for the Kyrgyz Republic, it would be the Kur-guz Republic. However, I also hear people say "Keer-geez" with no issue.

    Side note: this question is dedicated to my dad who gave me the idea to write the phonetic spelling and the TCU Speech Pathology department for teaching me what phonetics were <3

Where is Kyrgyzstan and how did you end up there?

    In total transparency, I had no idea where Kyrgyzstan was until I received an email from the Peace Corps and googled it. 

    Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked, small country in Central Asia known for its mountains (some call it the Switzerland of Central Asia). Fun fact: 94% of Kyrgyzstan is covered in mountains!

    As for how I ended up here, to put it short and sweet: when I applied I told the Peace Corps to send me wherever I was needed and this is where they sent me!! (Don't worry a more in-depth application journey coming soon)

How long will you be there?

If all goes according to plan: 27 months (June 2023 - August 2025)!!! This includes 3 months of training and then 24 months of actual service.

How can I stay up to date on everything and support you during this time?

1. Great question

2. You can sign up to receive email updates for each new post!

3. I also have an Instagram @emilyinkgz where I post more pictures and behind the scenes

4. The best thing you can do to support me is by sharing this blog with your friends, family, neighbors, random strangers on the street, etc...