About Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth-largest country by land area, located in the heart of Eurasia where East meets West. Rich in natural resources and cultural heritage, Kazakhstan is known for its diverse landscapes, from vast steppes and deserts to mountains and lakes. Its unique geographic location has shaped a vibrant blend of traditions, languages, and ethnicities, offering a dynamic environment for students and visitors alike.
As a rapidly developing country, Kazakhstan is gaining prominence on the global stage, driven by its strong focus on innovation, modernization, and education. Nazarbayev University embodies these priorities through its commitment to world-class education. The capital city, Astana, embodies the country’s forward-looking vision with its modern architecture, a high quality of living, and a vibrant, growing international community.
For students, Kazakhstan offers a safe and welcoming environment, with rich opportunities to explore its history, culture, and natural beauty while experiencing a forward-looking, global education.
Living in Astana
Climate
Kazakhstan is a country with vast continental territory and significant climatic contrasts. Astana, the capital, has a sharply continental climate, marked by long, cold winters and hot, moderately dry summers with occasional brief rain showers. In winter, temperatures in Astana typically drop to –35°C, but due to low humidity and strong winds, it can feel as cold as –45°C. Summers, on the other hand, often reach +35°C, with the highest recorded temperature peaking at +45°C.
Clothing
To live comfortably year-round in Astana, a wide range of seasonal clothing is essential. For spring, summer, and autumn, you’ll need light layers such as sweaters, a light jacket, and rainwear. Winters in Astana are extremely cold, so proper winter gear is crucial. Essential items include a very warm, preferably down-filled winter coat with a hood, insulated winter boots, thermal layers (long johns and undershirts), winter hat, scarf, and mittens/gloves. While all of these items are available in Kazakhstan, they may be more expensive than in your home country and harder to find in larger sizes (above medium). It’s recommended to bring these essentials with you if possible.
Food and drinks
Large grocery stores, such as Galmart at Mega Silk Way, carry most everyday products you’ll need during your stay in Kazakhstan. However, restaurants and stores offering Indian, Thai, African, or Latin American cuisine and ingredients are relatively rare. Kazakh cuisine is generally not spicy, and while vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options do exist, they are not widely available and can be difficult to find in restaurants. Tea and coffee are the most commonly consumed beverages. However, tap water is not safe to drink and should be avoided.
Mobile services
SIM cards in Kazakhstan are inexpensive, and usually come with a small preloaded balance. After purchasing a SIM card, you can switch to a tariff plan that suits your needs.
There are various tariff options, and staff at the point of sale will provide details and assist you with activation or switching plans.
Most standard tariffs include:
25–30 GB of mobile internet
Unlimited calls within the same network
300–500 minutes to other local operators
20–50 minutes of international calls
For more details, download our comprehensive guidebook.
