Your Best Information Source for Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic

Picture of the flag of the Kyrgyz Republic. Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic has served the people since 1991

Welcome to the top spot for info on Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic! If volunteering in Kyrgyz Republic interests you, you came to the right website. We’ll fill you in on Peace Corps’ past in Kyrgyz Republic. We’ll also give details about Kyrgyz Republic as a country. You can find out the languages spoken there. You can also check out stories from other volunteers. Here you can get info about safety and health. We’ll also provide ways to reach out to former Peace Corps peeps in Kyrgyz Republic. Get set to learn more to help choose if Kyrgyz Republic is a good fit for you!

Volunteers in Kyrgyz Republic work on projects in Education (leave in June).

What is the History of Peace Corps in Kyrgyz Republic?

The Peace Corps has been working in Kyrgyz Republic since 1993. This was right after the Soviet Union broke up. Over 1,300 Peace Corps volunteers have served in the Kyrgyz Republic in the last 30 years.

The main jobs of Peace Corps volunteers have been teaching English, helping communities, and protecting the environment. Volunteers teach English in schools and universities. They create English lessons and start English clubs.

The volunteers still made a big impact. They helped Americans and Kyrgyz people understand each other better. They worked to improve communities and make development last. They strengthened the friendship between the U.S. and the Kyrgyz Republic.

The Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)

What about Kyrgyz Republic as a nation?

a globe map showing the relative location of Kazakhstan relative to Europe and Asia

The Kyrgyz Republic is a country in Central Asia that does not touch any ocean. It became an independent nation in 1991 after the Soviet Union broke apart. Most of The Kyrgyz Republic is covered in huge mountain ranges like the Tian Shan and Pamir mountains. Over 90% of the land is mountainous.

Around 73% of the people in the Kyrgyz Republic are ethnic Kyrgyz. Russians, Uzbeks and other groups make up the rest. The main religions are Islam and Russian Orthodox Christianity. Farming and raising livestock are very important for The Kyrgyz Republic’s economy. They also export gold, rare earth metals, and other mined products.

After gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan has tried to have a democracy and a market economy. However, there have been times of political troubles and tensions between ethnic groups. Poverty and corruption are still big problems. But compared to other nations nearby, The Kyrgyz Republic is considered more politically free and economically open.

The beautiful mountain scenery, traditional nomadic culture, and friendly people have made Kyrgyzstan popular for tourism recently. However, developing the economy more and not relying as much on aid from other countries are still major goals for this newly independent Central Asian nation.

What languages do they speak in the Kyrgyz Republic?

The main language that people speak in the Kyrgyz Republic is Kyrgyz. This is the native language of the Kyrgyz ethnic group, which makes up around 73% of the country’s population. Kyrgyz is similar to other Turkic languages like Uzbek and Kazakh. Russian is also an official language in the Kyrgyz Republic and about one-third of people there speak it fluently. 

Russian was widely used when the Kyrgyz Republic was part of the Soviet Union. Some minority groups speak other languages like Uzbek, Uighur, Dungan, and Tajik. While Kyrgyz is the mother tongue for most people, Russian is still very important for government, business, and education, especially in cities. 

In rural areas, Kyrgyz is used more in daily life. Since becoming an independent country in 1991, the Kyrgyz Republic has tried to use more Kyrgyz instead of Russian in schools and official communications. But Russian is still common because of the Kyrgyz Republic’s history as part of the Soviet Union. Many people speak both Kyrgyz and Russian.

Volunteers learn to speak local languages, including Kyrgyz.

A Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic volunteer works with a student at the whiteboard.

How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Kyrgyz Republic?

In general, 81% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Kyrgyz Republic. And 91% felt safe or very safe where they worked. 15% of volunteers early terminated mostly due to medical reasons. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Kyrgyz Republic Crime, Harassment, and Early Termination of Service Data.

Most of the medical problems seen in the Kyrgyz Republic are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in the Kyrgyz Republic because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses. 

The medical problems specific to the Kyrgyz Republic are:

  • typhoid fever
  • colds, flu
  • diarrhea
  • skin infections
  • headaches
  • minor injuries
  • dental problems
  • sexually transmitted infections
  • Hepatitis A, B
  • rabies. 

Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms

But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic can be found in the Kyrgyz Republic Health and Medical Care Summary.

A US Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic volunteer celebrating with a huge family

What do volunteers think of serving in Kyrgyz Republic?

Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 80% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 79% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 70% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Kyrgyz Republic Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.

Where can I learn more about PC Kyrgyz Republic volunteer experiences?

PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Kyrgyz Republic. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.

Blog and YouTube Channel Links:

Picture of the flag of the Kyrgyz Republic. Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic has served the people since 1991

If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Kyrgyz Republic, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.

How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Kyrgyz Republic?

Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic volunteers work with youth programs

And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic?

cover of the Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic "Welcome" book - 2015

This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to Kyrgyz Republic“, published in 2015. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about Kyrgyz Republic. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.

Kyrgyz Republic students waving to the camera

Conclusion:

This blog post provided insights to help determine if serving in Kyrgyz Republic is right for you. You got info on Kyrgyz Republic’s culture, languages, and growth. We also covered safety tips and health facts for volunteers. Plus, we explained how to connect with former Peace Corps peeps. To learn more about Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic, check their website or the resources here. We hope this post was helpful for getting details on Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic!


The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Kyrgyz Republic Government.

Photos: Peace Corps Media Library

About Jim Damico

My name is Jim. And I have served in the Peace Corps in Thailand, Mongolia, Nepal, and now Armenia. I set up this website to help others interested in PC or already serving. For more info click the "About" link at the top of the page.

View all posts by Jim Damico