kazpat
American expat in Kazakhstan
Forum posts
22
About me
American
Lives in Aktobe
Registration: 03 January 2012
Activity
Looking to Teach in KZ in 2016--A Little Help Here, Please by ywhitty
Hi Everyone, I currently live in Abu Dhabi and was offered a position in KZ, which I will pursue once I complete my contract here. I would like to know a few things as I am considering visiting before I move there: 1. How is the housing? I know ...
If you are looking into NIS then don't depend on random strangers on the internet for info about the schools, housing, contract, etc. In addition to central office HR, each school has an international leadership team that you should be able to ... Read More
State expat employees or NIS teachers by Art teacher man
Hi everyone. I will be working as a teacher with the new Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Aqtobe and was wondering if anyone here was doing the same or is working for the State. I'm trying to get a better idea how the State handles pay and ...
Jaming, I have no first hand experience, that is why I referred the question to art teacher man, as I know he does, including transfers to the states. Read More
State expat employees or NIS teachers by Art teacher man
Hi everyone. I will be working as a teacher with the new Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Aqtobe and was wondering if anyone here was doing the same or is working for the State. I'm trying to get a better idea how the State handles pay and ...
Science teacher man, I responded to your message, as an American doing the transfer I'd say that art teacher man is your best source of info for this. I can also vouch that he is reliable. Good luck, Read More
Train Travel in KZ by science.teacherman
I am curious about train travel in KZ. Most of the info is in Russian, and is not translated online into English.
For me, train travel is a great cultural experience in KZ. It does tend to be slow but I like the chance to drink tea and eat dumplings and reflect on life while cruising the countryside. Most trains have 3 classes, Lux, Kope, and Pluscard. There ... Read More
Experiences traveling on Scat Airlines by science.teacherman
Anyone had any experiences on this airline? Air Astana does not travel to all cities, but this one does travel to many, and I have some reservations about its safety.
Several flights on SCAT, never an issue. Even went to Taraz once on an AN-24. My maiden flight to KZ was on Yak 42D back in the day. Now, those old Soviet planes did make me a bit nervous but the CJs are relatively modern and again, my personal ... Read More
Immigration card date check! by Jaming
An Ex-Pat from Britain just got sent to jail for few days, as his Immigration card is out of date for one or two days (01/06/2014). The judge instead of fining him took the jailing option to give a "rich" person a lesson and sending a ...
n/a Read More
Exit visa? Doing the visa run, but for a new employer by ChanTwo
Okay, here's the situation. A new employer wants to hire me here in Astana once my contract with my current employer ends. I understand that I have to leave the country in order to get a new work visa through the new employer. That employer said ...
Kazakhstan does have exit visas but not for this situation. (see below) The document that could cause an issue exiting the country is the loss of or a failure to properly register a migration card. Unless this is a very new thing then the current ... Read More
Cost of living in Kazakhstan by expat.com
Hi everybody, It would be very useful to talk about the cost of living in Kazakhstan. Don't forget to mention where in Kazakhstan you are living. How much does it cost to live in Kazakhstan? > accommodation prices > public transportation fares ...
The only IB approved NIS is in Astana. Other NIS campuses use a fit for purpose Cambridge program created jointly with CIE and NIS. NIS schools are only for ROK citizens with the exception of an international school in Astana. To get the offer you ... Read More
Cost of living in Kazakhstan by expat.com
Hi everybody, It would be very useful to talk about the cost of living in Kazakhstan. Don't forget to mention where in Kazakhstan you are living. How much does it cost to live in Kazakhstan? > accommodation prices > public transportation fares ...
There is a QSI in Atyrau, however I don't believe there are international schools in Pavlodar or Kyzl Orda. Given the educational expenses and the cities you mention, I don't think you are talking about an international school but a Kazakh public ... Read More
what is the winter like in Astana? by globetrottergirl
Hi everyone I am considering working in Astana but am wondering how bad the winters are? I understand that there are only about 3 hours of daylight in the middle of winter - how do people cope with the lack of sunlight? What do people do during ...
It is extremely cold at times, -45 degrees celsius. But that is not all the time, I'd say an average of -20 to -25. 3 hours of day light is complete nonsense. I wonder where you heard that? I'd say it is light out from about 9am to 4 or 5pm. Read More
What is Taraz like? by keithwlp
Hi I'm likely to be moving to Taraz and I wondered if anyone can tell me what its like there. I have been searching the Internet for information but there isn't very much. Things like restaurants, entertainment, what do I have to look out for? is ...
I was there for the official opening of the school recently, it was a 3 day trip so I don't claim to have any real on the ground experience. It is rural and has a small town feel, if your a big city guy or want access to the a social or expat scene ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
Hi Peter, I did not need a police check either, most logical explanation is that requirements can differ from Oblast to Oblast and even between ZAGS in different cities. KP Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
I m looking to get married to a Kazakh but it is very hard getting an invitation to marry her in Kazakhstan. are marriages done outside Kazakhstan recognized or also takes so much processes and complications. any advice? cheersHi, I don't ... Read More
Nanny agencies by Caffaya
I will be moving to Astana in the next month with my husband (who has a teaching position) and 4 year old daughter. We will be then moving to Aktobe a little while later. I'm a qualified and trained nanny, originally from the UK. Does anyone here ...
Hi Caffaya, It sounds like your husband will be working at the NIS in Astana and then coming to Aktobe when the school here opens. That is what I am doing as well. I am pretty sure that we have don't have any nanny agencies here. Please don't ... Read More
Driving license in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, Can a foreigner take the driving test in Kazakhstan? What are the formalities to get a driverÂ’s licence in Kazakhstan? Do you need special or extra documents being an expatriate? How much does it cost? Thank you for ...
Hi Armand, The following link has information. The road police have a great website in English. You will see in this link that yes a foreigner can take the test and provisions can be made for translation. However, how easy it is to schedule this ... Read More