Real Life as an Expat in Kazakhstan: English Teacher&YouTuber - Rocky Journeys(spilling all the tea)

Rocky's KZbin channel: / @rockyjourneys
Rocky's Instagram: / rockyjourneys
TIMESTAMPS below
00:00 Video highlights
00:34 How did you end up in Kazakhstan?
1:32 What was your idea of Kazakhstan back then?
2:57 When did you come here?
3:06 What was your first impression of Kazakhstan?
5:14 What difficulties did you have when you were moving to Kazakhstan?
6:05 How she got her visa?
6:28 Where did she find her job listing?
7:10 Type of her visa and how long it lasts
8:16 What paperwork did you need to get your visa?
10:13 Where you applying online or in-person? Where in-person?
11:38 How were you adjusting to the country? Did you have any cultural shock?
13:11 Rocky gives a tour of the nearest mall where she shops occasionally and often eats
14:27 What's your typical day like in Kazakhstan?
16:28 How Kazakhstan was different from what you expected?
18:54 What about the culture? Feminism, LQBTQ
20:49 Do you see yourself staying here more than three years?
22:12 Would recommend foreigners to come here?
23:24 Three things you don't like about Kazakhstan?
26:58 Three things you like about Kazakhstan?
29:19 Rocky's favorite place to study and eat sandwiches
30:42 Do you like Kazakh food?
33:05 Tour continues with favorite dumpling place
34:12 Describe Kazakh food
34:34 Any Kazakh eating habits you think of as weird?
35:29 Have you seen racism in Kazakhstan?
37:12 Share about use of language here?
38:25 Do you speak any Kazakh or Russian?
41:02 Apartment costs in Kazakhstan
42:09 Lease contracts difference between the US and Kazakhstan
42:52 Tour continues with favorite Central Asian restaurant
44:20 How much money you needed when you first moved?
45:33 How much money a months a person needs to live comfortably in Kazakhstan?
46:58 Difference of prices for groceries and restaurants in the US vs Kazakhstan
48:34 Cultural traits of Kazakh people
50:34 How safe is Kazakhstan?
52:14 What's your plan? Mission on KZbin?
53:56 Tips for foreigners coming to Kazakhstan
Hi, guys!
So today is a fun video. I'm interviewing Rocky Journeys - English Teacher and a KZbinr about her life as an expat in Kazakhstan.
Hope you enjoy and learn something new! :)
Want to help SUPPORT my channel? Thank you in advance!
paypal.me/saltiss
/ saltiss
#lifeinkazakhstan
My social media:
/ saltiss
/ saltiss

[@marielacastillo.4498]

Girls, I really enjoyed your chat. It was super useful considering I am about to move there to teach. I am from Chile and this would be a completely new experience for me and both of you have contributed a bit😉 thanks a lot!🙏🏼💜

[@lisamisa91]

I wish you all the best!🇰🇿

[@lstump4482]

All the kazakh youtubers I've seen have put so much effort into making their videos i love it

[@okxicc]

This video has helped me make up my mind to move to Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 ✨

[@rockyjourneys]

Welcome!

[@vadimgette5440]

Wow, this is so strange, considering that people from here, as well as from Russia btw, are trying to go to other countries in search of "the best life in their opinion" let me ask what attracted you so much to Kazakhstan that you decided that you should come here ?

[@erjang.4086]

@@vadimgette5440 simple,they are cia agents

[@johnnya1717]

@@erjang.4086 They want to find out a secret of the best potassium?

[@AdamSmith-rg3ll]

@@johnnya1717 Americans emigrants attempt to escape Trumps rule in the USA and spend their pity life in da best country in da world maaaan!! Johnny please don’t try move to Kazakhstan after your stocks of potassium will end😉(P.S For all offended, I’m just kidding. I’m a Kazakh and i make a joke about my country)

[@AdamSmith-rg3ll]

I really liked that interview because it’s my first time I see as a foreigner gives a real “non-polite” opinion about real life in Kazakhstan and here you can see real things without any exaggerations. Because mostly foreigners don’t want to offend people with a real opinion, so I’m really happy she said all the positive and negative moments

[@justshad937]

Rocky, no shame in not liking aspects of where you are. As a "visitor", you will focus on what sets it apart. Over time, usually after 3+years, your focus will shift to day-to-day life. Being lonely in a foreign land, where locals don't seem as friendly is fairly common expat experience. A local partner or MeetUp, and a social hobby (climbing, soccer, volleyball etc) will open up a side of life that you won't usually experience. Great vids! Cheerios

[@solkun8316]

I'd say she was mainly describing Astana. I've been to both cities. Almatı has a very warm service. And the it's not That cold in Almatı. The opposite actually. Thank you for the interview. It was so interesting to watch both of you

[@ScEd21]

This was very informative - I think it would be very interesting to visit or work in Kazakhstan. It’s a shame that in Europe where I live many people don’t know too much about Central Asia. In fact we learned a bit about Central Asia in geography in high school, but not too much about history or society (many people would not know that Kazakh is a Turkic language, and even fewer would know more then two or three cities in Kazakhstan by name...) But I am sure that Kazakhstan will soon be way more known since the economy is growing rapidly and so is the higher Education sector (in fact I saw a lot of job openings in scientific fields at universities in Kazakhstan.) Thank you so much for the video!

[@erjang.4086]

Bro we are typical dictatorship country

[@lisamisa91]

@@erjang.4086 Kazakhstan is safe for tourists though

[@copypastebot2052]

Actually central asia isolated from the world

[@dailyoremus]

Hi . I finished this interview. Thank you for showing me your country. Amazing.

[@valnauffts9965]

I absolutely love your channel,I l have learned so much about your beautiful country . I had no idea Kazakhstan was so modern in so many ways . I thought it was a poor country . I was so wrong ,your country is modern ,the culture is unbelievable and I really wish I could visit but I am elderly . I am so grateful to learn about other cultures and countries Thank you so much you are teaching the world so much about each other ,much love from Canada .

[@Benglishxz]

25:05 Exactly. The Kaspi bank has a good service and communication with clients 👌

[@goldeneyes9583]

Rocky you are inspired me to travel around the world , and explore another countries. I was born in Kazakhstan

[@temirlanabildin9789]

Thanks for the interesting interview! Өте қызықты болды ^-^

[@user-ne2ki1jv8c]

Very interesting video! I hope you can open Kazakhstan deeper for foreigners and show our kindness))

[@nurlan6997]

OMG! I subscribed to both of you. Great interview. Thanks

[@rockyjourneys]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@midliferising]

Good interview. Interesting to see an expat opinion about living in Kazakhstan. I learned a lot about daily life there. Previously I only knew about the tourist destinations. I hope to one day visit the country with much of my focus being on Aktau and Almaty.

[@rockyjourneys]

Definitely visit Almaty!

[@ayanlambert464]

Definitely visit Aktau! We have here new Rixos hotel opened

[@CenturionKZ]

The "nobody smiles" is north Kazakhstan thing left from the Soivet Era, in other regions it's pretty OK.

[@olzhasibraev6186]

maybe our climate influence us ... cold winter and hot summer. Our feeling like our climate - fast changing.

[@manchagojohnsonmanchago6367]

yeah its probably a russian cultural influence. but then again Mongolians dont smile either and theres very few russians there. .. i mean people do smile when hey are being sincere and like you or like something and you are having a personal conversation they. but they dont just randomly smile.. it is probably a mix of slavic influence and also probably those nomadic people dont go around smiling much either.

[@grettayolanda]

Rocky is pretty cool, very well spoken Bravo!

[@jordanlaramore5430]

I checked out a few of her videos awhile back! Cool!

[@JullzBek]

This made me miss Kazakh food so muchhh

[@EricFoemmel]

I have watched three of your videos, and you do such a great job sharing your country to foreigners. Well, done! You are a good ambassador.

[@rayyangamingreview1323]

Gosh this was fantastic, extremely helpful before I move over in March with my little boy. I would really love some information on what families can do with young children, and I would also love to know what types of entertain is available for adults - I've heard karaoke is popular? Many thanks x

[@beksolkonju273]

Just make a good friends and they'll take to mountains for free ))) plus you can visit their relatives in every city they have. Don't need to pay for hotels. Kazakhs always find one korpeshka for guests.

[@lgoptimusl73]

21:26 very important photo session process on background :)

[@evelinaellend7750]

It’s such a Kazakh thing even to pose like that lmao

[@interestingtv_]

This is a big problem in Astana, Almaty, we speak Russian, and so in theory we should speak Kazakh in our own language, here the politics of Russia put pressure on our government, we Kazakhs ourselves should speak Kazakh and not listen to the corrupt government

[@zonendless]

Long borders with small population, Kazakhstan can't afford to anger Russia or China, also oil pipelines needs to pass through their territory making Kazakhstan a bit too reliant on those government. Introducing Latin alphabets by government for Kazakh language is a good move.

[@erjang.4086]

@@someguy8928 no

[@AdamSmith-rg3ll]

@@someguy8928 казахский всего лишь один из множества тюркских языков, в какой-то момент все тюркские языки были одним языком, но из-за географического положения они со временем развивались отдельно, плюс повлияло присоединение к Российской Империи, которая в скором времени повлияла на перевод казахского языка(и многих других тюркских языков) с латиницы на кириллицу, что не дало полностью сформироваться языку и стать культурно и научно богатым. Сейчас мы наблюдаем активное распространение и обмен с другими тюркскими народностями, в особенности Турция активно пытается развивать культурный и языковой обмен с Казахстаном, учитывая, что турецкий язык без влияния чужих стран благодаря своей исторической силе развивался на протяжении нескольких веков, что также поможет Казахстану в развитии казахского языка. На это уйдёт много времени, но в конечном счёте казахский язык ассимилируется под требования современного мира. Это факт

[@lucatoni4509]

the russians did it (c)

[@lisamisa91]

@@someguy8928 you can add arrogant to your list👍

[@markheithaus]

American here. I was recently in Aktau. Loved it! The people seemed very friendly and very open to sharing a smile. I'll also add that I had arrived in Aktau after having visited Istanbul and Tbilisi. In both of those cities I experienced the taxi driver mobs at the airports who wanted high prices for the unsuspecting visitor. - I didn't experience that in Aktau. My taxi driver was very fair in his pricing. Almost too fair, and extremely helpful, so I gave him a good tip. I think the lack of tourism, compared to places like Istanbul, contributed to the lack of "taxi sharks".

[@ahmedshehta2509]

Nice, Long, Informative and interesting , thank you guys for the nice video

[@southerncoatingsrenovation9038]

That was a very good interview with Rocky Clyde Sawyer,Atlanta, Georgia

[@beksultanomirzak9803]

Wow, that is amazing video, 👍👍👍😁

[@Saltiss]

thank you! :)

[@hong-kongtrulyasiahong-kon7404]

If you want to visit mountain and get more mild climate it’s better to be in Almaty . The service are different and depends on the part of state .

[@jerryblack8746]

Great questions. ! Super interesting interview. Thank you.

[@SirMorak]

21:05 : watching the girls in the background => lol Besides that, format is a bit long. Yet interesting.

[@Saltiss]

haha i know it's pretty amusing, and yes, I agree it's a bit lengthy but I'll be working on that and I included timestamps in the description :)

[@SirMorak]

@@Saltiss yes you did a pretty good job with timestamps thanks , even if I'm gonna watch it all 🙂 Btw, a few questionswhy you name your channel muslim-ali if you are not into religion ? Where/how did you find an it job ? IT is recruiting foreign ppl or mainly locals ? You could talk about that :)

[@Saltiss]

@@SirMorak Muslim-Ali is my last name :)

[@SirMorak]

@@Saltiss okay, good reason😅

[@marishkaaable]

@@Saltiss I like the fact that the video is long - I just cooked a meal, listening to the two of you chat 😊

[@gb9247]

I’m from Almaty and when I went to Astana for the first time I had exactly the same cultural shock, lol. I don’t know, for me people seem to be colder there... and the second time was during the EXPO, at that time people were nicer.

[@solkun8316]

Same! I'm from Almatı and TaldıKorgan. Astana feels like another country to me. Especially the weather!

[@olyooshka]

From Astana, studied in Almaty, had culture shock going back to Astana))

[@olzhasibraev6186]

I'm from north and when I was in Almaty I recognize that a lot of smiling is fake.

[@biglance]

very interesting, Rocky has a good attitude, very impressed, peace.

[@user-qo5kl8ey5w]

thanks for telling me about Kazakitan

[@tommyanderson2785]

You’ve got a pure Kazakh look Salta :)

[@LeoNel-ve3ud]

@@lisamisa91 she is of course. Why do you think she isn’t?

[@JullzBek]

This was so cute! Love ur channel

[@joefaster88]

Hello saltis.. Can u interview with dayana she is from kazakhstan to, she s now famous in Indonesia.. It's just 3 week she have 2 milion followers in instagram.. Almost fans from Indonesian ..i'm sorry i can't speak english very well 🙏🙏🤭

[@olzhasibraev6186]

is she very young singer ?

[@peiminho4890]

You definitely convinced me to visit Kazakhstan.

[@misarabage1359]

Hey Rocky Journeys You should Def come to Almaty, if your contract ends and you decide to stay in Kazakhstan come to Almaty There are many more young interesting people here, English is spoken at bars and clubs, the night and culture life is no worse than in the west, many westerners as well and so many opportunities to do marketing and KZbin job that you could invest in part time besides doing English teaching job Also the Almaty mountains are just in 30 mins and sport life here is the best

[@didarmuratbayev3636]

It was so interesting

[@timishere6296]

600$ a month for an apartment is too expensive cost for an average kazakh citizen

[@foster5676]

My sister also planning to go their for study mbbs

[@bakhtiarzhunisbekov734]

If she is going to astana , she better prepare her coat. If she is going to almaty , she better prepare her shoes. Almaty winter is wet and muddy , cold gets you from earth. In other side astana winter is windy.

[@javiermarcialcespedesberne8575]

Hola, que tal?, como van?, Los mejores y más cordiales Saludos desde puente piedra, lima, Perú, ojalá que puedas venir en algún momento a mi país y que disfrutes mucho de todo por aquí, con la familia y los amigos, felicidades por tus vídeos..

[@user-qc9bl8oe8p]

Honestly Rocky looks like a German girl )

[@jayantajithazarika2619]

Thank you very much for your nice video. Happy New year to both of you including Rocky ! With lots of love and regards, Jayantàda, 9/1/2022

[@tahaplh1]

the biggest problem for foreigners in Kazakhstan is the language barrier due to the fact that not a lot of Kazak people speak English so i think if they want to improve tourism they need to learn more English

[@user-tb5fm4it4o]

You are right however nowadays a lot of young Kazakh guys they have been learning English I hope so after 5 years later it won't be problem for foreigners 🙏

[@alicewilkinson8051]

I gonna go to Kazakhstan on this year and I can only speak tiny bit of Russian...I'm worried little bit..

[@sauatty_qazaq]

Rocky's speech is so fast that barely can watch it on 1.5x speed as i normally do.

[@dlwsport250]

I want to teach Secondary School Science and coaching in Kazakhstan.

[@maruchi5200]

I don't see anything on Kazakhstan's Caspian coast, pretty much everything is about Nur-Sultan & Almaty. Could you tell me if tourism is developed on the coast?, what are the most beautiful places to visit by the sea and how is the transportation?

[@olzhasibraev6186]

Also you can watch this video about amazing nuture for tourizm in Aktau kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWeUg5VjZdd4qNU

[@TarlanT]

Caspian coast is being developed recently as well. But it’s at very early stages.

[@aigerim8526]

Ағылшын тілін үйренгім келіп кетті 😍😚

[@ozychannel076]

Hi, i would like to know the opportunities as an English teacher in Kazakhstan. Any chance that u can arrange someone to chat with me about it? It will be great help.

[@ahmadalfaqer1567]

Nice video ❤️

[@walbertsterling496]

I enjoy your vidio, love it, love you, good by see you again, love greatness.

[@AlternateHistory]

I actually like it when in the FSU the service is a bit 'colder'. I usually find these smiles in the West kinda fake and it annoys me to be honest.

[@askarasmanov7810]

Рокки, вы были в гостях у ХК Барыс, Астана - Арена?

[@ahmadalfaqer1567]

Hello, I am 18 years old, I would like your advice. I want to study medicine in Kazakhstan, but I am at a loss between two universities in the city of Almaty, which university would you recommend to me Kazakh National Medical University or Al-Farby University

[@misarabage1359]

I think it's better if you find the official website of those universities and their social media, where you can track some students that study there and ask them directly I am sure in the social media like Instagram or Facebook you would find international students pages etc Good luck

[@ahmadalfaqer1567]

Sa Ba thank you

[@user-vj8zr7hc9k]

Hello Ahmad, I would recommend Kazakh National Medical University since you want to study medicine. My sister studied there a decade ago. It was one of the best universities in medicine field at that time. Hope it is still the best^^

[@ilovetrue2571]

You can search global international group- education center.

[@Sultan-nx9jn]

If you want to study medicine, then it's definitely the Kazakh Medical University.

[@user-lx4km7vy2r]

Мало понимаю, но красиво, молодец !

[@hammadnazeer6643]

Do you have an opinion regarding quality of education in Asfandyarov National Medical University and life as a Muslim student? Thanks

[@tootritely9818]

I am not sure about quality of education in that uni but for sure you’re not going to have any problem regarding to your religion)btw kazakhs are muslims

[@olzhasibraev6186]

there are a lot of foreign muslim students ..... especcialy from Pakistan, India, Afganistan, Tadgikistan and Usbekistan ....

[@luciferx1636]

How about getting a job in kazakhstan , more like in hotel , room service or restaurant. Because I am not well educated to get higher class job .

[@patherinelim9779]

I hope to move here next time bc I’m nine

[@rashad1saifullah]

Nice video. I don't really understand what you are saying about Kazakh people being nomadic has to do with the sometimes poorer service demeanor. Are you saying its a cultural leftover from the more nomadic history or even today the majority of the people are still nomadic? I thought people are living more modern now with a fixed house/apartment...

[@azinag6403]

She meant that during nomadic times in Kazakh history, Kazakh people were bosses of their own and could move around freely, and still to this day most people have inherited this personlaity trait - being bossy. That is why waiters/waitresses do not like to serve people and think of this kinds of service providing jobs to be temporary and as "phase" to becoming successful etc.

[@JoseSanchez-dx6pl]

That cup of tea/coffee is huge... for how many ppl is that ? And how much it cost in USD? And just a thought for thought On a video like this for expats, would be advisable to include links that will assist to ppl wants to relocate to ur country... by the way I enjoyed your Utube presentation

[@jianwang4347]

If I visit Kazakhstan, may I hire you as a translator?

[@jerryblack8746]

Test questions !

[@aidan1741]

Вы не искали это видео , это видео нашло вас.

[@Sultan-nx9jn]

The opposite side of the coin: Living in the Western country, I see the plight of the local men and I really feel sorry for them. Voice of men's solidarity! 😃

[@LeoNel-ve3ud]

What do you mean?

[@DollfaceLizkah]

Oh hush

[@kingboorger9333]

Nice

[@user-tv4uj9wg7r]

Salta you are very beautiful and clever girl 👧 💕

[@asgoodasold1439]

I wonder how different Kazakh is from the Russian language, do they share the same origin?

[@maxatkarimov]

Think Turkic group of languages - Turkish, Tatar, Uzbek. No overlap with Slavic languages. But majority speak RU.

[@nursalim4213]

Dayana from Khazakstan

[@beksultanomirzak9803]

Actually, do you speak in kazakh or russian?😀

[@Saltiss]

I speak both :)

[@beksultanomirzak9803]

@@Saltiss 👍

[@beksultanomirzak9803]

When you smile you look cute😅

[@secondaccountlm4407]

@@beksultanomirzak9803 қазақ қызы ғой, достым...қоя бер ана тіліңде сұрағыңды...

[@hernanperez912]

Looks like an interesting county to visit....wish the interviewer was not on her phone. In the west, that would be highly urespectfully.

[@goblokbangang3231]

You went to Kazakhstan to meet Borat

[@educationlove2839]

in some aspects, it's similar like Hindustan ( India ). in future I am going to visit Kazakhstan.

[@user-ei4ev7xv6d]

Где перевод

[@walbertsterling496]

Love , i like your country your stile, your friend, food , love you say hello to your family for me love,grestness.

[@ilovetrue2571]

She is very hilarous, she likes joke, its gooood.

[@alles_muss_anders_werden]

What about the Corona virus in Kazakhstan ? Do I have to wear a mask ?

[@k-pt7pd]

Yes, when you are in public places

[@alles_muss_anders_werden]

@@k-pt7pd Thank you for your help ! I will travel to Nowokusnezk in Russia at the end of this year for three weeks. I think about to make a trip to Kazakhstan. It would be wonderful to visit this country.

[@k-pt7pd]

@@alles_muss_anders_werden oh, then welcome) you definitely should visit Kazakhstan, it's very different from anything else so don't miss the opportunity)

[@alles_muss_anders_werden]

@@k-pt7pd I live in Bavaria / Germany at the footprint of the Alps. Can you tell me something about the temperature in your country when it is December ? In my hometown in Germany it looks like strong snow fall.

[@k-pt7pd]

@@alles_muss_anders_werden it's very unpredictable actually) so i can't really say if it snows or smth like that, but if you are going to Astana or the north in general (which is the closest to Russia), it's definitely gonna be cold, so get ready. But the new year activities are fun, you will enjoy it) And if you are going to Almaty or the south side of the country, then the weather is okay, it's like an ordinary winter in Europe

[@roddyg3692]

She talks negatively🔥 about the Kasakhstan people and culture, and how she is pro LGBT and Girl Power, yet look behind her. The people behind her are having a good time enjoying themselves. Beauty indeed is in the eye of the beholder. If she is not happy, she doesn't have to extend her contract.

[@yellowsoleil]

Kazakhstan is 'amazing' only when it comes to get paid extremely well cause these ungrateful hypocrite bastards wouldn't have this luxury life in their own country for doing the same job. Cast no dirt in the well that gives you water.

[@flyinglights2]

You are young. Your family name sounds very unusual. If I were you I would change it for my own sake and for my childrens' sake.

[@samalaimukhametova7290]

Смысл менять из-за детей?Если фамилия детям передаётся от отца

[@ka1yaktx]

she is my second cousin lol

[@asianmelb]

Why she on her cell phone .... interviewing

[@qasterli]

she’s probably looking at the questions

[@mebanaibornengnong2847]

I'm sorry but you're really beautiful.

[@LeoNel-ve3ud]

Don’t be sorry... lol... it’s good! 😂

[@Lans_Ed]

Агент цру

[@timurrichman]

Почему не включили русские субтитры?

[@isaacbird6850]

No questions about Borat. Not cool

[@isaacbird6850]

Just kidding. Interview was VERY NICE!

[@bakhtiarzhunisbekov734]

I like. Very nice.

[@bakhtiarzhunisbekov734]

Wawaweewa

[@naraseefuji5290]

Of course, family life will be more calm, stable and understanding, because there is no feminism and because there is no LQBTQ, this is thanks to Islam and its rejection of these matters, otherwise family life would have been destroyed as in Western countries.

[@antnzr656]

Что это на спине у Рокки? Муха?

[@ashimov1970]

ЛГБТ активистка? отписываюсь от нее

[@lisamisa91]

That's exactyl what she was talking about... bruh maybe try to be more open minded😂

[@user-qf5xp6wc3b]

Кто эта девушка?

[@lisamisa91]

Her name is Rocky, she also has a KZbin channel :)

[@ianw1410]

when women do these travel experience videos so damn boring.....

[@Tralala691]

I really enjoyed the riots and soviets invading…..again. Praise allah!!!

[@samalaimukhametova7290]

Ну и вы ненормальный. Злорадствуете.Не помню чтобы мусульманину подобало вести себя злобно

[@kolyakordai5213]

Автор, позор вам. Ты типичный манкурт.

[@AM_SDG]

Great video as always. Been watching your videos for a while, very informative and you express very clearly. Love the culture. The restaurant name « Rumi » I am guessing after Rumi the Poet and famous Suffi