Uzbekistan Through the Eyes of a Teacher: Experiences from Bukhara on the Silk Road
Term in Uzbekistan by Mgr. Ferko Olšavský, PhD.
Bukhara State University in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, became my temporary employer during the summer semester of the academic year 2023-2024. I worked in one of the university's ten faculties: the Faculty of Economics and Tourism, Department of Marketing and Management. The University's history dates back to 1930, when the Pedagogical Institute was created. The institution is near to the city center, and the campus makes a good impression with its planted green grounds that include many fruit trees, beautiful plants, sports fields, and a contemporary library.
I was invited for a semester stay thanks to the support of many Uzbek students, whom I assisted in applying for a scholarship from the National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic. I met several of them throughout my time in Bukhara and visits to Uzbekistan. It was always a distinct feeling of kinship to Slovakia in faraway Uzbekistan, even when I met Uzbeks. Our common ground was FM UK, where we met. Each of them expressed gratitude to our country for providing them with a scholarship that allowed them to learn about not just Slovakia, but also other EU countries.
During my stay, I delivered lectures and seminars on Marketing and Risk management, as well as Banking and money consulting. The course content, as well as the structure of the lectures and seminars, are similar to the European educational system. Students are eager to learn about the potential of studying abroad, and the vast majority of them prepare for this by learning languages. Interestingly, there is a TV channel in the country dedicated solely to English, German, French, and Russian language teaching. There were occasional misunderstandings when communicating with students or colleagues, but I later realised that these were due to cultural differences, such as different perceptions of punctuality, the ability to work in groups, motivation, the ability and possibility to express one's point of view, or, for example, the role of religion in people's lives.
In addition to teaching, I attended various seminars where I met local and international guest academics at the institution. I've maintained in touch with numerous of them. During my free time roaming the nation, I met a lot of intriguing people.
I spent the majority of my time touring Bukhara itself. It is an ancient city on the former Silk Road that served as a major hub for trade, education, culture, and religion. Bukhara served as the capital of the Samanid Empire (892-999), the Khanate of Bukhara (1533-1756), and the Emirate of Bukhara (1785-1920). The city is now the center of the Bukhara region. Bukhara has 280 inhabitants. It is primarily recognized for its numerous historic sites. The city centre, together with a few mosques and madrasas, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tourism is economically significant to the city. The city center is alive with the lives of everyday people, making it an authentic destination for tourists. During my walks through the city, I encountered local miniature painters, silk scarf salesmen, and restaurant owners, with whom I discussed our lives and future plans. The trek through the metropolis was never boring.
On the second day of my stay, I was able to attend a typical Bukhara wedding. Later, I attended celebrations for International Women's Day, Navruz, Ramadan, and many folklore events. For me, the most valuable encounters were those planned by colleagues and friends, as well as the occasional invites to visit their houses. Uzbeks cherish hospitality, consideration, and respect above everything else. And this applies whether they are strangers or close friends. I've also spent a lot of time traveling solo. The experience of taking the train to Khiva, Samarkand, Termez, and Tashkent is unforgettable.
In terms of surprising and unexpected experiences, I would recommend the Afrasyob high-speed train, which connects Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara and is one of the top modes of transportation equivalent to Europe in terms of service and speed. Similarly advanced is the amount of e-government services, which can help foreigners navigate the maze of local bureaucracy. The great level of security in the country is also surprising; I never felt threatened by anyone. I also had no idea how crucial knowing Russian would be in my life.
Finally, I'd like to thank FM UK's management, my colleagues at the home faculty, and my family for allowing me to travel abroad, as well as my colleagues and friends at Bukhara State University for leaving nothing to chance and providing a base for me to teach students, make contacts, and get to know Uzbekistan – a country rich in history and infinite hospitality.
