Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – A Day in the Life of a Kiva Fellow

Many questions came my way when I let my family, friends and colleagues know that I am packing my bags and heading off to Kyrgyzstan for a few months.

“I’m going to volunteer with Kiva in Kyrgyzstan and help the American University of Central Asia!”

“Wow! Great! Wait. What’s Kiva? Where’s Kyrgyzstan? What is an American university doing in Central Asia? There are a lot of holes in your story, is everything ok? Are you in trouble with the wrong people? What have you done?!”

Many good questions, to which I had no real answers… until now! The following is a photo depiction of what city life looks like for me, here in Bishkek. I hope you enjoy reading about, as much as I have enjoyed experiencing, a day in the life of a Kiva Fellow in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Wake up, shower and grab a quick breakfast at “the pad”







Head out of the building, cross the street and pass through the nearby underground passage









Pass by the Philarmonic Hall and the statue with my favourite beard in town (there are many)







Stroll Chuy Avenue, Bishkek’s most monument packed crossway





On the way to work, pass by the White House, the Stella of Friendship and Ala-Too Square







Cross a leafy park and reach the American University of Central Asia ("AUCA") campus







Enter the main building, pass by an empty classroom and a soon to be packed auditorium











Arrive at the Financial Aid Office, my home away from home



Good morning Ganjina, Kiva Coordinator and AUCA Loan Officer



Grab a seat at my work station, where the magic happens, for the next three hours



For lunch, the team heads to a local restaurant and I order dumpling soup and tea



In the afternoon, I head upstairs to the administrative offices for meetings with Sven, AUCA’s Director of Development. Then, back to my desk until the early evening







At the end of the work day, I head out for an early dinner, passing by some soviet architecture and the Victory Square







For dinner, a healthy portion of shashlik and kefir



As the night settles in, the city shines



I do a bit of shopping at the local supermarket and the new mall nearby





A friend asks me to join him for a quick snack and a local beverage



After, its back to the apartment, where I do some reading and have a relaxing tea before heading to bed