reception booklet

RECEPTION BookletAIESEC in Kazakhstan

RECEPTION Booklet

WELCOME MESSAGE:

Hello dear trainee!Congratulations! Although I don’t know You yet, surely you have to be an amazing

person coz if you read this message, most probably You have been just matched for Your internship to AIESEC Kazakhstan! That makes me truly happy for You and for us!

With this very first message I would like to warmly welcome You in Kazakhstan! I am sure that You will have the time of Your life here enjoying the beauty and uniqueness of the nature, warmness and hospitality of the nation and impressive diversity of Kazakhstani culture. Personally, I am enjoying it constantly!

We, as members of AIESEC Kazakhstan, had prepared this booklet especially to help you in preparation for arrival. It contains all needed information, so that You know, what to put into your backpack, what to expect after getting out of the plane and what to discover at the every little corner of our land of wonders!!

Read it carefully! In case you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact with me!

Waiting impatiently for You!

On behalf of AIESEC KazakhstanOla Sawicka

Member Committee Vice President of Incoming ExchangeAIESEC Kazakhstan 2011/2012

mail: [email protected], skype: aleksandrasawicka

Reception Booklet, AIESEC in Kazakhstan

1. AIESEC in Kazakhstan 2. Introduction to Kazakhstan 3. Places to visit 4. Prices 6. Transportation system 7. Festivals and holidays 8. Reception program 9. What we offer?10. Pre-arrival information

TABLE OF CONTENT:


AIESEC IN KAZAKHSTANAIESEC envisions a world consisting of peace and fulfillment of diverse human po-

tential. Our fundamental belief is that the foundation for positive change in society is people will make us closer to reach the vision we have taken. In partnership with busi-ness and higher education and the global network, AIESEC in Kazakhstan provides an innovative development process consisting of leadership experiences, international opportunities and participation in a global learning environment.

AIESEC in Kazakhstan had its significant contribution in development of socially re-sponsible leadership in Kazakhstan’s youth for over the past 20 years. As a thriving AIESEC country, our initiatives are thought to enlarge such merit and to enable us to be recognized amongst the top contributors to the global network.

We promise to streamline our existing projects to make them work even better, scale up the opportunities we provide to students of higher education and recent graduates and reach uncharted territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

AIESEC Kazakhstan in numbers:- 400 exchanges planned for 2011/12- 150 members- 50 leaders- 122 exchanges in 2010/11- 22 years of tradition - 7 cities

WELCOME MESSAGE:

Hello dear trainee!Congratulations! Although I don’t know You yet, surely you have to be an amazing

person coz if you read this message, most probably You have been just matched for Your internship to AIESEC Kazakhstan! That makes me truly happy for You and for us!

With this very first message I would like to warmly welcome You in Kazakhstan! I am sure that You will have the time of Your life here enjoying the beauty and uniqueness of the nature, warmness and hospitality of the nation and impressive diversity of Kazakhstani culture. Personally, I am enjoying it constantly!

We, as members of AIESEC Kazakhstan, had prepared this booklet especially to help you in preparation for arrival. It contains all needed information, so that You know, what to put into your backpack, what to expect after getting out of the plane and what to discover at the every little corner of our land of wonders!!

Read it carefully! In case you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact with me!

Waiting impatiently for You!

On behalf of AIESEC KazakhstanOla Sawicka

Member Committee Vice President of Incoming ExchangeAIESEC Kazakhstan 2011/2012

mail: [email protected], skype: aleksandrasawicka


INTORDUCTION TO KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan is located on the border of two continents: Europe and Asia. Situated on the footsteps of Tien Shan mountains Kazakhstan is in the centre of the Eurasian continent.

The country stretches for 3,000 km east to the west and 1,600 km from the south to the north. With a territorial area of 2,724.9 thousand square kilometers, Kazakhstan is the fourth largest coun-try in Eurasia and it is the ninth largest country in the world

More than a half of the territory is occupied by steppes, quarter by desert and semi-desert, and the remaining part is made up of moun-tains, seas, lakes and rivers. North to south there are four natural-climatic zones which replace each other: forest-steppes, steppes, semi-desert, desert, as well as foot-hill zones and high-altitude mountain zones. The climate is mostly sharply continental. The average temperatures in Janu-ary range from -25°C to -12°C, and in July from +30°C to +35°C.

Kazakhstan is the country of rivers and lakes, having in total 8,500 large and small rivers and 48,000 lakes. Also some parts of shore of Cas-pian Sea belongs to Kazakhstan. There are sev-eral mountain ranges where the highest peak is Khan-Taniri (6,995 m) in the Saryzhaz ridge.

Kazakhstan is famous for deposits of hydro-carbonic raw material, coal, iron ore, manga-nese, chrome, nickel, cobalt, copper, molyb-denum, lead, zinc, bauxites, gold and uranium.


1. AIESEC in Kazakhstan 2. Introduction to Kazakhstan 3. Places to visit 4. Prices 6. Transportation system 7. Festivals and holidays 8. Reception program 9. What we offer?10. Pre-arrival information

Symbolism The national emblem consists of a picture of a shanyrak (the cupola of a yurta) on a blue background, from which uyks (body brackets) are radiated like the rays of the sun and framed by the wings of mythical horses. The word “Казакстан”is inscribed in the bottom part of the state emblem.

The State Flag is represented by a blue rec-tangle with an image in the center of the sun, beneath which there is a soaring eagle. There is a vertical strip with a national ornament which passes along the hoist.

The form of state government is presidential, Ka-zakhstan is Republic. Noursultan Abishevich Naz-arbayev is the first President of the Republic of Ka-zakhstan.

Population: Kazakhstan has a population of over 15 million people. Astana is the capi-tal of the country and Almaty is the biggest city. Language: The national language of Ka-zakhstan is Kazakh. Kazakh uses the Cyrillic al-phabet like the Russian. During the Soviet era, Russian was the main language of the coun-try and still remains popular today, especially in the larger cities.

Transport: rail is the basis of the transport system in Kazakhstan. There are six interna-tional airlines and the domestic company Air Astana The republic has thirteen airports and is accessed by international airlines. Also there are busses and shared taxis, though we recommend trains instead.


PLACES TO VISIT

CHARYN CANYON The Charyn Canyon is one of the most popular places around Almaty. Many people compare

it to the Grand Canyon of California. Of course, sizewise it's smaller than the Grand Canyon, hence the nick name "little brother of the Grand Canyon". The rock formations, the colours resemble that of the Grand Canyon. The Canyon stretches around 154 km alongside the River and the most popular part of it is only 2 km long and it's called the Valley of Castles.

BURABAY LAKESituated 250km north of Astana, the Burabay area has been termed the ‘Kazakh Switzerland’,

although the mountains qualify only as steep hills. The dense pine woods, strange rock formations and scattered lakes, however, are in stark contrast to the surrounding flat steppe. Apart from being a nice place to relax, Burabay is good for hiking, rock climbing or cross-country skiing in winter.


ARAL SEAThe Aral Sea is one of less than 20 ancient lakes in the world, and is estimated to be more than

5 million years old. In the Soviet Union era massive amounts of water were diverted for irrigation of cotton and the lake began to shrink dramatically. At the same time, pesticides were being ap-plied to fields in the watershed by airplane. The Aral Sea was the fourth largest lake in the world; it has now lost 90% of its source waters and two thirds of its surface area. Salinity has increased four-fold.

BAIKONOUR:The original Baikonur (Kazakh for "wealthy brown", i.e. "fertile land with many herbs") is a mining

town a few hundred kilometres northeast, near Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan'sKaragandy Province. City is servicing the Baikonur Cosmodrome the first, still active, cosmodrome in the world. The shape of the area rented is an ellipse, measuring 90 kilometres east to west, by 85 kilometres north to south, with the cosmodrome at the centre.


TRANSPORTATION

There are 2 types of taxis in town. Official and “non- official” taxis. This means that every-one that wishes to make some extra money can take you where you want. This can be tricky so make sure you somehow trust the person who stops to take you somewhere. Another im-portant thing is to deal the price of the trip before the ride starts. If you are not happy you can get out and get another one.

Official taxis have visible board signs all over and telephone numbers so you will not miss them. The normal price for a ride non-officialgoes from 250, 300, 500 KZT. If you want a bigger distance don’t for-get to deal the money first before you go with the trip.

You can use buses or trolleybuses as well. Ticket will cost you approximately 50 – 60 KZT to any destination inside of city, and it will save your money, but be sure that you know which bus you should use, and where you are going.


FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYSNEW YEAR New Year in Kazakhstan is a family cel-

ebration. People gather to have festive dinner, give presents and make good wishes. After Midnight they go to the street to watch fireworks.

7 of January – Christmas for orthodox Christian and official state holiday.

14 of January – Old New Year people cel-ebrate it almost the same as New Year.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN DAY8th March is a Global Women Day. It em-

phasize the achievements of women in past, present and future. In this day men make a present for all women and women make pre-sents for female relatives.

MARCH 22- NAURYZ MEYRAMI Nauruz, in Persian means New Year. To

welcome the spring, relatives gather around a table and exchange gifts. All who join in the festivities asked for forgiveness of their sins, reconciled with relatives and friends.

The main ritual dish is ―Nauryz-kozheh,� in-cludes seven ingredients: Water, Meat, Salt, Fat, Flour, Cereal, Milk.

MAY 01- KAZAKHSTAN PEOPLES UNITY DAYUnity day is celebrated as a form of Labor Day:

a day of national, regional, and global solidarity. Within the borders of Kazakhstan, many associa-tions, unions, and communities of ethnic groups exist peacefully. It’s a day full of marches and parades.

MAY 09 - VICTORY DAYVictory Day celebrate the Victory of the Soviet

Union in World War II, where lots of people rom Ka-zakhstan participated. During this day you can take part in big celebration in main city squares, where you will see a lot of veterans and you can bring a flower for monument of victory.

AUGUST 30 - CONSTITUTION DAY Constitution Day is a public holiday honoring the

day Kazakhstan signed and adopted their Constitu-tion.

OCTOBER 25 - REPUBLIC DAYOn 25th October 1990 Kazakhstan declared it

sovereignty from the U.S.S. R. This day is a day of Kazakh nationality, with many speeches, songs, and performances throughout the country.

DECEMBER 16 - INDEPENDENCE DAYKazakhstan has become independent country in this day. In honor of this celebrations are held throughout the country, in-cluding concerts, conferen-ces, exhibitions, and feasts.


LANGUAGE: USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

Hello - PrivetGood Morning – Zdrastvuytie How are You? – Kak dela? How much is it? – Skolko eto stoit?How can I get to… - Kak mnye dobratsa do…?Thank You - SpasiboMy name is: - Menya zavut…I am from: - Ya iz …I don’t speak Russian - Ya ne gavaryu po-ruskyCan I have…: Mozhn pozhaluista?Good-bye - Do svidanyaBye-bye - Poka-poka


We are responsible for your stay in our country. Your buddy will be your first friend here also he/she will be a “Just in Case” person. If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to contact him. We organize a number of in-teresting events for trainees every year, such as Reception week-ends, educa-tional projects, parties and so on. We would be also pleased if you join our AIESEC activities and conferences and so on.

!!! Please take with you various items, characteristic of your country and nation (flag, postcards, movie presentation, music) to show your country at cul-tural events!!!

RECEPTION PROGRAM


YOUR BUDDY WILL ASSIST IN:

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE: Buddy sends you information about:- Accommodation- Festivals- Flatmates and their contactsWHEN YOU ARRIVEBuddy will:- -pick you up at the airport/station and take you to the flat- -introduce you to the other trainees in the flat- -show where a shop is close to your flat- -give you a welcome package- -arrange the transportation ticket for you- -arrange a meeting with the TN manager before the first working day- -go with you to the foreign police, if it is necessary- -organize a welcome party for youWHEN YOU ARE HERE:Your buddy:- -takes you to the first LC meeting and intro-duces you to AIESECers;- -shows and explains to you what kind of possibilities you have in AIESEC;- -invites you to every LC meetings (can take you to the University), LC day, conference, trainings, reception

weekends, other AIESEC events;- -meets with you for an informal meeting, to be sure that everything is ok with you in the first 3 weeks: once

per week; later: at least once month;- -asks you to fill in the measurement form;- -organizes a good-bye party.ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES:- „± If you are ill, and need help, he/she goes with you to the doctor.- „± If you will have problem with authorities, buddy helps you.


PRE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

YOUR VISA:- EP has to fill in pre-arrival package sent by LC Almaty: Volunteer Contract, Excel file, Copy of passport;- AIESEC Kazakhstan is responsible for providing you VISA INVITATION which is sent via e-mail;- VISA invitation is made within 2-3 weeks usually, in some cases it may be even fast-er;- EP is applying for KZ visa him/herself: type of visa should be private other details for application are available upon request;- AIESEC Kazakhstan strongly recommends you to make tickets reservations only when you actually receive your visa.;- Your Buddy will communicate with you and assist you in finding accommodation for you unless it is not GCDP internship you are coming to;- In case your country does not have KZ embassy you need to find a country where KZ embassy exists (find out for which country you do not need visa) and AISEC Kazakhstan will make you an invitation for it.- You need to buy medical insurance, make sure there is an office in Kazakhstan of Your insurance company, also provide all contact details of insurance office to Host LC before arrival;Make sure you have current contacts of your Buddy, VP ICX and LCP.

reception booklet

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