Reception Booklet of AIESEC Almaty, X brand. prepared for ICX department. including brief info about Kazakhstan, Almaty, LC, and etc.

2. Welcome letter
Dear Trainee, welcome to Kazakhstan!
We are glad that you have been matched to our beautiful country – the
Kazakhstan - situated in the heart of Central Asia. Your host local committee
of AIESEC Almaty is waiting you impatiently to show you the traditional hos-
pitality of our nation and help you to discover all the wonderful places that
our country possesses.
This booklet gives you a glimpse of Kazakhstan life. With the help of AIESEC
and this booklet, you will be able to acclimate to your new environment
more quickly and avoid possible surprises and misunderstandings.
We recommend you to read this booklet carefully.

4. CONTENT
1. About AIESEC Almaty
2. AIESEC in Kazakhstan
3. Introduction to Kazakhstan
4. Almaty — apple city
5. Places to visit
6. Prices
7. Transportation system
8. Festivals and holidays
9. Reception program
10. Your buddy
11. Pre arrival information
12. Contacts

5. About AIESEC Almaty
AIESEC was introduced in Kazakhstan in 80 members in, running successfully more
1989, when the local committee of Almaty then 4 EP recruitments annually and realiz-
was established. In the beginning, LC of Al- ing DT and MT projects in ICX area, as well
maty was part of AIESEC Soviet Union. In lately our ER projects oriented to youth
1992 AIESEC Soviet Union split into AIESEC marker such as Development Leadership
Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Day, Top Talents, School of Leadership
During last 21 years organization gained gained popularity.
sustainable status and managing more than You will be amazed that AIESEC Almaty is
much more older than AIESEC in Kazakh-
stan (LC is 21 years old, and MC is 4 years).
For term 2010-2011 AIESEC in Almaty is well
known for its amazing results among top
GUN LCs as one of the best EP providers.
Our success is combined effort of our Lo-
cal Committee, Board of Advisors, our
kind partners, members and alumni.

7. AIESEC in Kazakhstan
AIESEC envisions a world that doesn't have 20 years for the long term benefit of Kazakh-
conflicts that arise from cultural, religious or stani society as a whole and ultimately of
any other aspects of differences in Humani- the world.
ty. Underlining everything we do is our fun- As a thriving AIESEC country, our initiatives
damental belief that the foundation for posi- are thought to enlarge such contribution
tive change in society is people. In partner- and to enable us to be recognized amongst
ship with business and higher education and the top contributors to the global network.
the global network, AIESEC in Kazakhstan
Over the next 18 months, we will streamline
provides an innovative development pro-
our existing projects to make them work
cess consisting of unmatched leadership ex-
even better, scale up the opportunities we
periences, international opportunities and
provide to students of higher education and
participation in a global learning environ-
recent graduates and reach uncharted ter-
ment.
ritory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
AIESEC in Kazakhstan has been helping the
development of socially responsible leader-
ship in Kazakhstan’s youth for over the past

8. Kazakhstan has immense untouched landscapes, great, open and free, with a unique mix
of true deserts, steppes, savannas, taiga, tundra, wild forests, pristine lakes and rivers.

9. Introduction to Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is located on the border of two stan is the fourth largest country in Eurasia af-
continents: Europe and Asia. Situated be- ter Russia, China and India, and it is the ninth
tween 45 and 87 eastern longitudes and 40 largest country in the world. The longest
and 55 northern latitudes, Kazakhstan is in stretches of border are with Russia (6,846
the centre of the Eurasian continent. km), Uzbekistan (2,203 km), China (1,533 km),
The country stretches for 3,000 km east to Kyrgyzstan (1,051 km) and Turkmenistan (379
the west, from the Caspian Sea and the km).
Privoldzsk plains to the Altay Mountains, and More than a quarter of the territory is oc-
1,600 km from the foothills of Tyan-Shan in the cupied by steppes, half by desert and semi-
south and south-east to the Western-Siberian desert, and the remaining part is made up of
lowland in the north. With a territorial area of mountains, seas, lakes and rivers. North to
2,724.9 thousand square kilometers, Kazakh- south there are four natural-climatic zones
which replace each other: forest-steppes,
steppes, semi-desert, desert, as well as foot-
hill zones and high-altitude mountain zones.
The climate is mostly sharply continental. The
average temperatures in January range
from -19°С to +4°С, and in July from
+19°С to +26°С. Quite often
Temperatures reach +45°С in the
summer and -45°С in the winter.

10. There are 8,500 large and small rivers in Ka- Kazakhstan is famous for deposits of hydro-
zakhstan. The biggest rivers are: the Zhaik, and carbonic raw material, coal, iron ore, manga-
the Zhem which flow into Caspian Sea, the nese, chrome, nickel, cobalt, copper, molyb-
Syrdariya which flows into the Aral Sea and the denum, lead, zinc, bauxites, gold and uranium.
Ertis, Esil, and the Tobol which traverse the Symbolism The national emblem consists of
country and flow into the Arctic Ocean. The to- a picture of a shanyrak (the cupola of a yurta)
tal number of large- and small-sized lakes in the on a blue background, from which uyks (body
country is 48,000, among which the greatest brackets) are radiated like the rays of the sun
are the Aral Sea, Balkash, Zhaysan, Alakol’, and framed by the wings of mythical horses.
Teniz, and Siletyteniz. The greater part of the The word «Казақстан” is inscribed in the
northern and half of the eastern shore of Caspi- bottom part of the state emblem.
an Sea belongs to Kazakhstan. There are sever- The State Flag is represented by a blue rec-
al mountain ranges in the country. The highest tangle with an image in
peak is Khan-Taniri (Khan-Tengri) (6,995 m) in the center of the sun,
the Saryzhaz ridge. beneath which there is
a soaring eagle. There is
a vertical strip with a
national ornament
which passes along the
hoist; the ratio of the width of the flag to
its length is 1.5:3.0 m.

11. Currency: the Tenge was put into circulation 160 areas, 241 city-like settlements, and 2,049 vil-
in 1993. It can be exchanged for a foreign curren- lages (2000 data).
cy in any bank or official bureau de change. The More than 100 nationalities live in Kazakhstan.
majority of European and international credit Each nation has its own historical culture and it is
cards are accepted in good hotels, restaurants possible to get acquainted with features of differ-
and shops. ent cultures during tourist ethnographic trips.
The form of state government presidential. Language: The national language of Kazakh-
Noursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev is the first Pres- stan is Kazakh. Kazakh uses the Cyrillic alphabet
ident of the Republic of Kazakhstan. like the Russian language. During the Soviet era,
Population: Kazakhstan has a population of Russian was the main language of the country
over 15 million people. Astana is the capital of and still remains popular today, especially in the
the country. Political divisions: 14 regions, 86 cities, larger cities. Consequently, there are both schools
in which Russian is the main language and schools
in which Kazakh is, nowadays Russian serves as an
interethnic language.
Transport rail is the basis of the transport sys-
tem in Kazakhstan. There are 17 local and 12 inter-
national railway routes in the country. There are six
international airlines and the domestic company
―Air Astana‖, and in addition to these there are 23
foreign airlines operating in Kazakhstan. The re-
public has thirteen airports and is
accessed by international airlines.

12. Almaty — apple city
The name "Almaty" derives from the Kazakh centre.
word for "apple" (алма), and thus is often translat- Almaty is situated in the centre of the Eurasian
ed as a city "rich with apples". The older Russian continent, in the south-eastern part of Republic of
version of its name, Alma-Ata, originates from a Kazakhstan.
mistake (the name literally means "Grandfather of
apples"). You wonder why? What if I say that ap- The city of Almaty takes an area of over 170
ples come from Kazakhstan. square kilometres. Main source of the water sup-
ply to the city of Almaty is Mountain rivers and
Well, the apple tree originated in the moun- lakes
tains of Central Asia and North-West of China.
Hence, so many wild apple trees in and around If you are in Almaty for some time and think
Almaty. In the surrounding region, there is a great you've "seen it all", try to meet some local friends as
genetic diversity among the wild apples; the re- Almaty people are very imaginative when it comes
gion is thought to be the ancestral home of the to entertaining themselves! They'll take you to a
apple. cool new bar, to a bowling/ carting party, to
friends' dachas (summer houses) for shashlyk or on a
Almaty is also regional financial and business fishing/ rafting trip to the Ili River.

14. Places to visit
Get high!
With only a few days in Almaty, you can see
Medeo
a lot. Start with the city's most famous attraction,
the tram to Kok-Tyube hill and TV tower, leaving
right from downtown. Grab a meal or beer and
enjoy the view at one of the many restaurants
and bars on top.
Next, try Medeo, an Olympic-level skating
rink, and the highest in the world, a 15 min. drive
from the city.
be
From there, get even higher at nearby m Kok-to
View fro
Chimbulak ski resort, take the lift and enjoy an
aerial view of the city.
lak
himbu
rom C
View f
On the way to Kok-Tobe

15. Places to visit
Take a 1-day trip
ty Lake
If you have spare day, head to the moun- Big Alma
tains to Big Almaty Lake and observatory, or
Talgar gorge (trout farm, ostrich farm and rial site
s
Nom adic bu
nomadic burial sites where the famous Gold-
en Man was discovered) If not in the mood
for cold mountains, go in the opposite direc-
tion to Kapchagai Lake and the spectacular Ostrich farm
Ili River, with ancient Buddhist petroglyphs
and a huge fort built for the movie "Nomad",
Charyn
or visit local ―Grand Canyon‖ calling
Charyn.
om ad”
Shooting Scene for “N
Ili River
Near Observatory
Trout Farm

16. FOOD PRICES
Prices of the most com- Volume, NR. of Price ($) Price Tenge (KZT) Prices of the most com- Volume, NR. of Price ($) Price Tenge (KZT)
mon products and Units (1$- 150 mon products and Units (1$- 150
services tenge) services tenge)
Loaf of Bread 500 g 0,4 60 Beer (in a pub) 0,5 liter 4 - 5,3 400 -800
Butter 200 g 0,9 140 Potatoes 1 kg 0,6 90
Tea 25 teabags 1,3 200 Tomato 1 kg 0,8 120
Milk 1 liter 1,1 165 Meat 1 kg 5,6 850
Sugar 1 kg 0,8 130 Chicken 1 kg 3,3 500
Spaghetti 400 g 0,6 - 2 from 90 – to 300 Beef , pork 1 kg 5,6 850
Tomato Ketchup 250 g 0,6 - 1,4 90 - 220 Sausage 1 kg 4,6 - 12 700 - 1800
Cheeps 160 g 1,3 -2,6 200 -400 Cigarettes 1 pack 0,7 - 1 110 - 150
Fruit Yogurt 320 g(packing) 1,3 195 Toilet Soap 1 roll 0,4 – 0,6 60 - 100
Rice 1 kg 1 150 Shave Foam 450 ml 4 600
Pepsi 1 liter 0,7 105 Milk chocolate 100 g 1 150
Mineral water 1,5 liters 0,4 60 Shampoo 250 ml 2,3 350
100 % Fruit Juice 1 liter 1,3-2,7 200-400 Sunflower-seed oil 1 liter 2,3 350
Coffee 100 g 2,6 400 Tooth paste 100 ml 1,6 250
Hamburger 150 g 1 150 Eggs 10 pieces 1,6 240
Beer (in a shop) 0,5 liter 1 - 2,3 150 - 350 Cheese 1 kg 5,3 – 10,6 800 - 1600
Here you will be able to find some additional information about prices for food.
Exchange rate: 1 $ its about 147-150 tenge, and 1 euro its about 197-200 tenge

17. Transportation system
There are 2 types of taxis in town. Official Official taxis have check board signs all over
and non official taxis. this means that every- and telephone numbers so you will not miss
one that wishes to make some extra money them. The normal price for a ride in Almaty
can take you where you want. This can be goes from 200, 300, 500 tenge for a ride de-
tricky so make sure you somehow trust the pending the distance of your trip inside the
person who stops to take you somewhere. city. If you want a bigger distance don’t for-
Another important thing is to deal the mon- get to deal the money first before you go
ey of the trip before the cars starts. If you are with the trip.
not happy you can get out and get another You can call for a taxi at this number: 58 or
one. they will just leave. 068. They don’t speak English, only Russian or
Kazakh. You’ll have an extra $1 charge for
calling asking for a taxi.
You can use buses or trolleybuses as well.
Ticket will cost you 50 tenge to any destina-
tion inside of city, and it will save your mon-
ey, but be sure that you know which
bus you should use, and where you
are going.

18. Festivals and holidays
January 01- New Year Day (gathering together, watching New Year TV
All people in Kazakhstan start to celebrate program)
New Year 31 of December. All family mem- March 08 - International Women Day
bers gathering to have festive dinner (young Global day cele-
people gathering together with friends), brating the eco-
give a present and make good wish. After nomic, political
New Year is coming people go to the street and social
to make fireworks. 7 of January – Christmas achievements of
for orthodox Christian and official state holi- women in past,
day. 14 of January – Old New Year people present and fu-
celebrate it almost the same as New Year ture. In this day
men make a pre-
sent for all women (home, work, school) and
women make presents for mothers, grand-
mothers, friend and relatives (female)

19. Festivals and holidays
March 22- Nauryz Meyrami May 01- Kazakhstan Peoples Unity Day
―Nauruz‖, Persian for ―New Year‖ To wel- Unity day is celebrated as a form of Labor
come the spring, relatives gather around a Day: a day of national, regional, and
table and exchange gifts. All who join in the global solidarity. Within the borders
festivities asked for forgiveness of their sins,
of Kazakhstan, many associations,
reconciled with relatives and friends.
unions, and communities of ethnic
The main ritual dish is ―Nauryz-kozheh,‖ in-
cludes seven ingredients: Water, Meat, Salt, groups exist peacefully.
Fat, Flour, Cereal, Milk. During the day there
is organized holiday in the streets, squares,
parks and stadiums, where you can observe
and participate in plenty of activities (Horse-
racing, Kazakhsha-kyres (national sport in
which men wrestle while riding a horse), Pa-
rades (marches that teach visitors about the
Kazakh culture and the importance of re-
specting other countries), see Yurt (national
dwellings) and taste traditional food)

20. Festivals and holidays
May 09 - Victory Day ereignty from the U.S.S. R. This day is a day of
Victory Day celebrate the Victory of the So- Kazakh nationalism, with many speeches,
viet Union in World War II, where is participat- songs, and performances throughout the
ed a lot of people from Kazakhstan. During country.
this day you can participate in big celebra- December 16 - Independence Day
tion in Panfilov Park in Almaty, where you will Kazakhstan has become independent
see a lot of veterans and you can bring a country in this day. In honor of this celebra-
flower for monument of victory. tions are held throughout the country, in-
cluding concerts, conferences, exhibitions,
August 30 - Constitution Day and feasts.
Constitution Day is a public holiday honoring
the day Kazakhstan signed and adopted
their Constitution.
October 25 - Republic Day
Kazakhstan commemorates the day in Oc-
tober 1990 when Kazakhstan declared it sov-

21. Reception Program
We are responsible for your stay in our country. Your buddy will be your first friend here. If
you have any questions or need more information, feel free to contact your buddy. We or-
ganize a number of interesting events for trainees every year, such as Reception week-
ends, educational projects, parties and so on. We would be also pleased if you join our
AIESEC activities and conferences and be the best friends with us.
!!! Please do not forget to take with you various items, characteristic of your country and
nation (flag, postcards, movie presentation, music,…) to present your country at AIESEC
events!!!

22. Your Buddy’s JD
Tasks before you arrive: When you arrive, buddy:
 buddy sends you the Reception Booklet -picks you up at the airport/station and
and Buddy profile takes you to the flat
 communication with you via e-mails -introduces you to the other trainees in the
 buddy sends you: flat
- information about the company -shows where a shop is close to your flat
(clothes, location, other trainees at the -gives you a welcome package
same company, etc.) -arranges the transportation ticket for you
- some contacts: flatmates, other train- -arranges a meeting with the TN manager
ees, VP ICX, information about the flat. before the first working day
-goes with you to the foreign police, if it is
necessary
-organizes a welcome party for you

23. Your Buddy
When you are here: AIESEC events;
-takes you to the first LC meeting and intro- -meets with you for an informal meeting, to
duces you to AIESECers; be sure that everything is ok with you in the
first 3 weeks: once per week; later: at least
-shows and explains to you what kind of
once month;
possibilities you have in AIESEC;
-asks you to fill in the measurement form;
-invites you to every LC meetings (can take
you to the University), LC day, conference, -organizes a good-bye party.
trainings, reception weekends, other
Additional activities:
 If you are ill, and need help, he/she goes
with you to the doctor.
 If you will have problem with authorities,
buddy helps you.

24. Pre-arrival information
Your VISA:  Your Buddy will communicate with you
 EP has to fill in pre-arrival package sent by and assist you in finding accommodation
LC Almaty: Volunteer Contract, Excel file, for you unless it is not DT internship you are
Copy of passport; coming to;
 AIESEC Almaty is responsible for providing  In case your country doesn’t have KZ em-
you VISA INVITATION which is sent via e- bassy you need to find a country where KZ
mail; embassy exists (fin out for which country
you do not need visa) and LC Almaty will
 VISA invitation is made within 2-3 weeks
make you an invitation;
usually, in some cases it may be even fast-
er;  You need to buy medical insurance,
make sure there is a office in Almaty and
 EP is applying for KZ visa him/herself: type
provide all contact details of insurance of-
of visa should be private other details for
fice to LC Almaty before arrival;
application are available upon request;
Make sure you have current con-
 AIESEC Almaty strongly recommends you
tacts of your Buddy, VP ICX and
to make book reservations only till you ac-
LCP AIESEC Almaty.
tually receive your visa.;

25. Contacts
In order to stay in touch and be fully aware about where we are locating, here is
some of our contacts:
Adress of AIESEC Almaty OFFICE:
2, Abaya str., KIMEP, Dostyk bld., 402 A, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Phone/fax: + 7 (727) 270 44 51
www.aiesec.kz
Email: aiesec.almaty@gmail.com

26. Look at some of those cool and sexy ppl who had such
amazing experience to be part of AIESEC Almaty
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Bra Mainlan
Mexico
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Estonia
USA
USA
Ukraine
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Colomb India Germ ds
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Australia Latvia
Poland
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