“I get a huge experience here!” Student of Naberezhnye Chelny State Pedagogical University has been working in Kyrgyzstan for two years as part of the project “Russian teacher abroad”

Elvina Shaygardanova sends warm greetings from Kyrgyzstan. A student of
Naberezhnye Chelny State Pedagogical University, she has been working in the
Kyrgyz Republic for the second year as part of the “Russian Teacher Abroad”
project, implemented by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. She
works at the Lomonosov School Scientific and Educational Complex, which
opened in 2024
The Lomonosov School Scientific and Educational Complex is located in Bishkek
(Kyrgyzstan) and is known for its international orientation and focus on practical
research activities. The teaching staff consists of highly qualified specialists, many
of whom participate in international projects and share their experiences with
colleagues. The school's branch in Karakol employs 48 teachers, including 10
Russian teachers specializing in natural sciences. Elvina Shaygardanova is one of
them. What attracted her so much to working outside of Russia? The young teacher
answered our questions.
- Elvina, you've been in Kyrgyzstan for two years now. How is your work
going? What advantages and disadvantages do you see in working abroad?
- The work is going steadily and productively. The pace is high, and the workload
is quite demanding, but I am managing the tasks assigned to me. A big plus is the
experience I gained in my first year of work; thanks to it, adaptation during this
academic year has been much faster.
The first year was more challenging - the school was just opening, and the
children came from various public schools where classes had 40-50 students.
Because of this, many had significant gaps in their knowledge, and we had to raise
their level practically from scratch.
Working now is noticeably easier: with the children who stayed from last year, wealready have a shared foundation, an understanding of expectations, and an
established learning process. This gives a sense of forward progress and
professional growth.
- Which grades do you teach, and what subjects do you teach?
- I am the homeroom teacher for 5th grade and teach them mathematics. I also
teach algebra and geometry in 8th and 9th grades. Since this academic year, I
started teaching physics to 7th, 8th, and 9th grades.
- How do you get along with the staff?
- Things are going well for me; I have understanding colleagues around me.
Recently, we went with the 11th grade to the Naryn region, to the city of Naryn, to
the University of Central Asia for an open house day. The trip was very eventful
and interesting - for the students and for us chaperones.
I was impressed by the university's level of equipment: modern facilities,
developed infrastructure, well-designed campuses and dormitories. Overall, this
was not unexpected for me, as similar conditions were available at my home
university as well.
What I especially remember is that every teacher has their own office, equipped
for individual work with students. This is possible thanks to the small number of
teachers - about 30 people. Instruction at the university is entirely in English, and
the teachers come from different countries: Pakistan, Latvia, France, and other
regions of Europe and Asia. I had the chance to talk with teachers and deans, and
many were genuinely surprised by my story and work experience. It was a
valuable professional and cultural experience.
- What are your future plans? Do you plan to stay in Kyrgyzstan longer?
- Over this year, I have become much more strongly attached to this place. I havemy own homeroom class, I've built stable relationships with the children, and at
the same time, my conscious growth as a physics teacher has begun. Here, I am
gaining immense pedagogical experience and feeling professional development -
not gradually, but in confident, big strides.
I would very much like to continue working at my school and develop further
within the project. I also see interest from the school's side in continuing the
cooperation, which is especially valuable. The final decision will depend on the
university, but I genuinely would like to continue participating in the humanitarian
project “Russian Teacher Abroad”.