What a Kyrgyz yurt taught me about Missouri maternity care
By Kendra W.
Published June 22, 2026
The yurt isn’t merely a shelter; the physical structure directly mirrors kinship networks — the interlocking wooden Kerege represents the clans, while the central Tunduk symbolizes a shared heritage connecting the entire community under one sky. The roots of this nomadic culture was a deeply interconnected, local support system and precisely what a functional healthcare…
Accessibility for mobility devices in Kyrgyzstan
By Kobi H.
Published Aug. 16, 2021
During my time in Kyrgyzstan, I witnessed an interesting phenomenon that I did not feel was commonplace in the United States. There are many ramps throughout the larger cities of Bishkek, Jalal-Abad and Osh leading into restaurants, stores and even just along uneven parts of the sidewalk. At face value, these ramps feel like an…
Language barriers
By An V.
Published Aug. 10, 2021
The language barrier I experienced in Kyrgyzstan initially made me feel quite alienated. On the first day, when I visited the supermarket and asked if they had a certain item, the cashier did not understand me. She neither understood nor could speak English, so I stood there struggling to communicate until she pulled out her…
My summer abroad in Kyrgyzstan
By Hannah T.
Published Aug. 2, 2021
I am having such a wonderful time here in Kyrgyzstan. So far we have been to three different cities, including multiple road trips through the beautiful mountains. We have learned so much about politics and society in Central Asia, including culture and etiquette, anti-corruption efforts, economic development, key gender issues, election observation, ethnic and national…