Welcome to IMID Notes
Welcome to IMID Notes, a personal space inspired by life between Korea and Uzbekistan.
Living between two countries means experiencing two cultures, two ways of life, and two different perspectives on the everyday things we often take for granted. From family traditions and hospitality to food, travel, communication, and daily routines, even the smallest moments can reveal something meaningful about a culture. That is what inspired me to create IMID Notes.
About Me
My name is Mekhriniso Shukurova. I am originally from Uzbekistan and have been living in South Korea for about a decade. Over the years, Korea has become an important part of both my personal and professional life.
I completed my graduate studies in South Korea and hold a Ph.D. in International Studies. My professional work is related to migration policy, and I have also conducted academic research and published scholarly articles in areas connected with my field.
My years in Korea have allowed me to experience the country from several perspectives — as an international student, a researcher, a professional, a parent raising children here, and simply as someone building an everyday life away from the country where I grew up.
At the same time, Uzbekistan remains an important part of who I am. Living between these two cultures has made me notice things that might otherwise seem ordinary: how families communicate, how children grow up, how people study and work, how traditions are maintained, and how everyday life changes when you live in another country.
Some articles on IMID Notes come from my own experiences, while others draw on research, official information, and my professional knowledge. When I write about practical topics, I try to distinguish personal experience from information that may change over time.
For those interested in my academic work, you can find my research profile on ORCID.
Why I Created the Uzbek Mini Lessons
As a parent from Uzbekistan raising children in Korea, I want IMID Notes to help families keep a connection with Uzbek through everyday words and conversations. Some children growing up in Korea may understand familiar Uzbek expressions but find it harder to answer, read, or explain their own thoughts. I wanted to offer a gentle place to begin, with Korean explanations and short, useful exchanges.
The course also welcomes English-speaking beginners who want to learn Uzbek. Its 50 free mini lessons follow Madina and Ali through greetings, family life, school, food, feelings, and other everyday situations. Readers can choose Korean or English explanations while practising the same Uzbek learning focus.
Learning Together as a Family
Read a comic, try a short conversation aloud, and swap roles with a family member or friend. The five printable practice packs offer vocabulary, writing activities, review questions, and answers for Lessons 1-50. Start with one familiar expression and use it again in daily life; there is no need to memorise everything at once.
Families do not all have the same story. Some relatives live together in Korea, while others live in Uzbekistan or elsewhere. Learners can choose expressions that fit their own family, or practise with imaginary characters. A small conversation can be a starting point for asking about family words, traditions, and memories.
You can find the full course and printable packs in Study Uzbek. I welcome corrections and suggestions through the Contact page as I continue improving these learning materials.
What Does IMID Mean?
The name IMID has several meanings for me.
On the surface, it represents the spirit of this blog:
Insights · Moments · Inspirations · Discoveries
Insights from experiencing two cultures.
Moments from everyday life worth remembering.
Inspirations found in people, places, traditions, and experiences.
Discoveries that come from looking at familiar things from a different perspective.
But IMID also has a more personal meaning. The letters are connected to the initials of my family members. I liked the idea that the name quietly carries my family with it, because many of the experiences I write about here are connected to the life we have built together.
There is another meaning hidden in the name as well. I like to think of IMID as “I am in the middle.” In many ways, that reflects my own story — living between Uzbekistan and Korea, between two cultures, languages, traditions, and ways of seeing everyday life.
So, for me, IMID is more than an acronym. It represents my family, my place in the middle of two cultures, and the experiences that inspire the stories I share here.
What You'll Find on IMID Notes
Through IMID Notes, I share personal observations, cultural stories, travel experiences, and practical insights from Korea and Uzbekistan.
This is not simply a blog about comparing two countries. It is about discovering what makes them different, what unexpectedly brings them together, and how living between cultures can change the way we see ordinary life.
Whether you are interested in Korea, curious about Uzbekistan, planning a journey, living abroad, or simply enjoy discovering other cultures, I hope you find something here that informs, inspires, or stays with you.
Welcome to IMID Notes.
Insights · Moments · Inspirations · Discoveries
