Episode description

How to fall in love with Kazakhstan? What is it like to be a foreigner in Central Asia? How do American students react to Kazakh culture?

Our today’s guest is Dennis Keen – an American who became truly Kazakh. He is a Central Asia specialist with Kazakh history, culture, and language expertise. We’ve started our discussion with an exploration of Almaty. Dennis shares personal stories about interesting people he's met and the city's history. We highlight local attractions such as the Green Bazar, Kazakh cuisine, the Kunayev Museum, and the Viktor Tsoy monument.

Dennis discusses his experiences teaching about Kazakhstan at UCLA, the Kazakh community in Los Angeles, and the cultural surprises American students face. Dennis offers practical advice for tourists and suggests ways to improve tourism in Kazakhstan. We also reflect on cultural exchanges between Kazakhstan and the USA. In the end, Dennis told his thoughts on what Kazakhstan can learn from the USA and vice versa.

Arman Suleimenov: https://www.instagram.com/armansu/

Dennis Keen: https://www.instagram.com/walkingalmaty/

Producer, Daniyar Akhmetzhanov: https://www.instagram.com/good.years/