(OT - brag) Generally, I hate my job

[registrar]

But I've just booked my business trip to Almaty, capital of Borathstan, for April.
If I was a pro poker player, I'd live a life without ever having cause to visit Kazskhstan. As it is, I get a fully expenses paid trip. Sweet.

[Soulman]

Wtf are you gonna do there, their most valuable export is fermented cow urine, isn't it?

[registrar]

Kazakhstan has seen, per capita, the biggest growth in the overseas student market of any territory ever. THe government is basically paying high school graduates of ability to study overseas. Presumably so that they learn bovine urine refinement techniques.

My job is to persuade them to come to Oxford. I get a cut of the tuition.


FWIW, all the Kazakhs I've spoken to think Borat is hilarious.

[Soulman]

So what's your spiel? "Come to Oxford, the babes are amazing and we have like, pr0n and stuff? Plus, the English cuisine is just A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!" Or just give them a cut of your cut?

[registrar]

"I'll get you into Oxford University and you will become President of your country in the future. No, I never actually said that this college is Oxford University. Well, I don't care what you inferred, you can't have your money back."

It's generally something like that. Of course, if I get a sense that they are mobbed up, then they do get their money back.

And I do manage to spring quite of lot of foreigners into the venerable institution next door, to be fair.

[daveymck]

Theres enough forigners in Oxford already without a load more coming in, there are times on the bus when I am the only person who has english as a first language, and in the summer the English school next to where I work is a total nightmare generally the week the loud french are there.

[registrar]

Yeah - a lot of that is my fault.

To be honest though, I'm happier when Albanians, Poles, Somalians or whoever else it might be move into my street (lots of social housing) than I am to see uni students or white trash from Barton.

[mornelth]

Ok, some advice from someone who actually LIVED in Kazakhstan (albeit briefly and in my VERY junior years)...

1) Traditional meats there are sheep, goat and horse. Make sure you know which you are eating.

2) Food tends to be very fatty and if you're not used to it - bring some Immodium (or equivalent) with you.

3) The capital probably has a lot of modern stuff and goods and such, but do bring with you whatever you cannot live without

4) It's 220 volts, outlet is 2 round holes

5) Traditional drink "Kumys" is actually goat milk.

Have fun!

[registrar]

Cool!

1. I'll eat anything.
2. I eat lots.
3. They sell vodka, right?
4. They sell vodka, right?
5. This goes well with vodka, right?

[betgo]

What are you the registrar for some college in Oxford that is not part of the university?