Five top study spaces in Shymkent, Kazakhstan

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As a student at South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, university life is very busy with lots of lectures and practical classes. I’m also part of the science and debating clubs to make life even busier, but when I do have time away from campus, I love exploring the different places around the city where I can take some time for myself and study.

The city of Shymkent in Kazakhstan has lots of study spaces to choose from, featuring great books, comfortable seating and the essential peace and quiet I need when I’m working on something difficult. From libraries and bookshops to cafes and parks, there’s a place for every mood whether you’re working on a group project or studying hard for an exam.

Here are my five favourite study spaces in Shymkent, Kazakhstan:

Al-Farabi City Scientific and Universal Library

One of the largest libraries in Central Asia, Al-Farabi City Scientific and Universal Library has more than 400,000 books and 6,500 e-books in English, Russian and Kazakh. There’s always space to study in the large reading room and friendly staff who will help you to find any books you are looking for. If you’re looking for quiet time to read alone, or space to discuss ideas with your course mates, you can do both in this beautiful library.

Marwin Bookstore

At the Marwin bookstore, students can read a wide variety of books from fiction to scientific, self-development and learning foreign languages. The staff are always happy to help you find something you need and if you get hungry, there are all kinds of sweets to snack on while you study. There are sofas and reading tables to choose from, so you can work with your course mates or enjoy some quiet time reading from any of the books in store.

Coffee house ‘Korritsa’

For me, Korritsa is the most comfortable place to study. It’s a coffee house near the South Kazakhstan Medical Academy where I’m a student and it’s close enough for me to sit and read between classes. There’s lots of coffee and hot drinks available to wake you up after sleepless nights of studying, but most importantly it is quiet here, the seating is very comfortable and you have access to free wi-fi. It’s a popular spot for students so you can chat, share notes and work together.

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Abai Qunanbaiuli Library

This library is the perfect spot to study in a quiet and cosy place with multiple reading rooms that are divided into scientific areas. My favourite is the ‘Musical Space’ where you can listen to relaxing classical music while you work. According to multiple studies, classical music can have a positive effect on absorbing new information.

Abai Qunanbaiuli Library has a great coffee shop too, where you can buy hot drinks and snacks to keep you fueled. Access to the library is free and you can stay from early morning until late at night.

Dendro Park

If you want to retire to a quiet natural area with your laptop and books, then Dendro Park is the best place on a nice sunny day. It’s a huge park, so you can easily find a place for solitude, get some fresh air and watch the swans swimming in the lake. If you want complete privacy, you can rent a catamaran and set sail from the shore. You could even take a picnic with some friends and enjoy a bit of social time in between studying. It’s important to make time for rest too!

So there are plenty of options for studying in Shymkent, whether you’re looking for a cosy bookshop, a comfortable sofa to write your essay or absolute solitude in the middle of a lake! And these are just a few of my favourites.

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