IMID Notes

Several years ago, during a work trip to Samarkand with a group of professors, I visited the Afrasiab Museum. Samarkand is usually associated with places such as Registan, Shah-i-Zinda, and the blue-tiled monuments that have made the city famous around the world. Afrasiab, however, takes visitors much further back into the history of Samarkand. Inside the museum, I saw the famous Afrasiab murals . Among the many people represented in the paintings, two figures were especially interesting to me because the museum identified them as Korean envoys . At that time, I was standing in Uzbekistan looking at figures connected with the Korean Peninsula. Years later, after returning to my everyday life in Korea, I unexpectedly encountered the Afrasiab murals again—this time at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul. Seeing the same historical story presented in two different countries made me want to look more closely at the murals, the ancient city they came from, and the connection bet...

Elementary-school life in Korea and Uzbekistan reflects two different educational traditions. When people compare education in different countries, they often start with rankings, test results or curriculum. As a parent, however, I tend to notice the differences in much smaller, everyday things. How much homework does a child bring home? How many students sit in one classroom? Can parents simply walk into the school? Do children know one another's test scores? Do they stay with the same classmates for years? And does living next to an elementary school necessarily mean your child will attend that school? Having known the education system in Uzbekistan and now raising children in Korea, I have found that elementary-school life in the two countries can feel surprisingly different. These are not meant to be judgements about which system is better. They are simply differences that have stood out to me through my own experience and observations. Two Diffe...

Raising children is full of choices wherever you live. But raising children in Korea can sometimes make those choices feel especially difficult. Korea offers children many opportunities, from good schools and academies to sports programmes, music lessons, libraries and cultural activities. As a parent, it is easy to feel grateful for all these possibilities. At the same time, having so many opportunities raises another question: How much is enough? When everyone around you seems to be doing more, it can be difficult to decide what your own child actually needs. Growing up in Korea can bring children many opportunities—and parents many decisions. Growing Up in Korea's Culture of Education Education has an important place in Korean society. From an early age, many children attend hagwons after school for English, mathematics, science, writing, music, sports and other subjects. As a parent, you naturally want to give your children as many opportunities a...

When people think of Uzbek food, plov is usually the first dish that comes to mind. It is probably Uzbekistan's best-known dish and one of the foods visitors are most eager to try. But describing plov simply as rice cooked with meat and carrots does not really explain what it means in Uzbekistan. Plov can be an everyday meal, but it is also prepared for weddings, family celebrations, holidays and large gatherings. Different parts of Uzbekistan have their own styles and traditions connected with how it is cooked and served. For Uzbeks, plov is more than something to eat. It is closely connected with hospitality, family, community and tradition. What Is Uzbek Plov? Uzbek plov is traditionally prepared with rice, meat, carrots, onions, oil or fat and spices. Depending on the recipe and region, other ingredients may also be added, including chickpeas, raisins and garlic. Homemade Uzbek plov prepared with rice, meat and carrots. One of the most importa...

After going through the entire process of getting my driver's licence in South Korea, I naturally had another question: Can I use my Korean driver's licence when I go to Uzbekistan? A Korean driver's licence does not automatically give an Uzbek citizen the right to drive in Uzbekistan. At first, the answer might seem obvious. South Korea and Uzbekistan have an agreement concerning the recognition of driver's licences. However, there is an important detail: your citizenship matters. According to current Uzbek legal guidance, an Uzbek citizen who obtained a driver's licence abroad cannot simply use that foreign licence to drive in Uzbekistan. It must first be exchanged for an Uzbek national driver's licence through the established procedure. Uzbek legal guidance A Foreign Driver and an Uzbek Citizen Are Treated Differently This is probably the most important point. Uzbekistan recognises international driving permits and qualifyin...

The five Central Asian countries discussed in this article: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. South Korea is becoming an increasingly popular study destination for young people from Central Asia. Students from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan are coming to Korea not only to learn the Korean language but also to pursue bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. While looking more closely at Central Asian international students in Korea, I was surprised by just how large this community has become. According to statistics from Korea's Ministry of Education and the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI), 20,010 students from the five Central Asian countries were studying at Korean higher education institutions as of April 1, 2025. Of them, 17,057, or 85.2%, were enrolled in degree programmes, while 2,953 were participating in non-degree programmes, including language training. ...