1. Uzbekistan: Pre-trip and overview

As a current student in Politics and International Relations, I am going to take part on a summer school in the first international university in Central Asia, the University of Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) in Uzbekistan.

Felipão

I confess that I do not know much about the country. When someone mentions Uzbekistan, three things come into my mind: first, that it is a former republic of the Soviet Union; second, as a football fan, I do remember that some Brazilians have worked in Bunyodkor (as Zico, Rivaldo and Felipão); and, finally, it reminds me of Kazakhstan, a neighbor country, because of the film 'Borat'.

Those informations do not say much about how the experience is going to be. So, what should I expect? 

Geography

Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia and it is bordered by Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and the ‘Aral Sea’ (an inland sea). Uzbekistan is considered landlocked as none of its rivers lead to the sea.

It has an area of 447,400 square kilometres, which the majority of it is the desert and mountains. And the capital and largest city is Tashkent, where the summer school will take place.

Uzbekistan has an extreme continental climate. It is dry and the seasons tend to be really well defined. Summer has high temperatures, that can reach 45°C and above, while winter presents temperatures under 0ºC.

Emir Timur Statue

Economy

Since the independence, Uzbekistan has started a gradual transition to a market-based economy.

Uzbekistan presents a great variety of resources, having large deposits of gold, copper and uranium, and, reserves of gas and oil. Besides those, Uzbekistan also produces coal, cotton and silver.

Even though only 10% of the total area is cultivable, agriculture also plays a role in the Uzbek economy. The country produces and exports silk, fruits and vegetables. 

Uzbekistan's foreign economic policy is based on import substitution. The country’s trade partners include CIS countries (Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan) and non-CIS partners (Turkey, China, Iran, South Korea, and the EU). 

Uzbek Flag

Politics

Uzbekistan declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. And, it is currently considered a democratic, secular, unitary, constitutional and presidential republic.

Uzbek Wedding

Culture

Uzbekistan official language is Uzbek, which uses the latin alphabet.

The country has a vast mix of ethnic groups, the majority of the population is Uzbek, but there are also Russians, Tajiks, Kazakhs and others.

The typical Uzbek dish seems to be Palov, which has rice, meat, carrots and onions. Yet, there is a good variety of food based on the main local products. In general, the Uzbek cuisine seems to be exotic, hearty and well seasoned.

Moreover, during my research I had the feeling that weddings are much  more relevant in Uzbekistan than what is seen in the Western culture.

Westminster International University in Tashkent

Summer School

The objective of the program is to improve the our knowledge about globalisation in the global engagements. We will have lectures during the mornings and afternoons for 10 days. Academically, we are expected to be able to understand and demonstrate the interrelations in the current global society through a variety of activities.

But, I believe that the outcomes will go beyond the academic learning. This trip will provide us the opportunity to be in touch with the people and the culture of Uzbekistan, as well as visiting historical cities. And, there is no better way of building knowledge about the country than through your own experience. I am looking forward for breaking any possible stereotypes and experience by myself the eccentricity of this country. 

Little yogurt balls in a local market

Uzbek architecture