No longer lost in a strange country

After having worked a year in Bishkek, my contract as Consultant Constructor in an international school finished. My wife works in the same school and it was just the beginning of the school year. Given the situation I found myself trapped to a point where I had no idea who to address in order to keep on working or to how to find a job.Of course I knocked some doors and connected with people I was working with before in the construction field but with the lack of Russian skills it was tough. I started language lessons, online specialization courses (urbanism and solid waste management in urban places) to keep active and build my skills.Finding a new networkOne day my wife came home talking about here we are and I decided to attend the first meeting. I found a group of people with a strong will to keep on developing professionally.What here we are first brought me was a group of contacts to help expand potential opportunities to find something to engage with. A couple who where building a house asked me for a possible collaboration with their project.In a second meeting, I was offered the contact of one organisation working for developing areas around the city for marginalized citizens. More exactly a project in urban gardens. Here the situation was even more complicated due to the language. All people where speaking just Kyrgyz and my ability to deal with stakeholders was somewhat hampered by these continuous language obstacles.My third lead was to help a social enterprise in Tokmok's University Campus where a British social impact company was establishing the first phase of a tourism project including a potential guest house, café and tourist centre with an organic and environmentally friendly profile.Inspired and motivatedAlthough I did not directly receive a job through my involvement with here we are; my possibilities to find it was expanded enormously. And this is extremely important when you find yourself alone and lost in a strange country. No need to say that besides searching for a job one can hear and be inspired of other member's experiences and taking advantage with the knowledge they are bringing to the group.I strongly recommend joining here we are if you have the opportunity. For professional expectations and overall for the diverse group of supportive people from all fields and countries.Xavi Terres is a Technical Architect and Bioclimatic Architecture specialist from Barcelona, Spain. Currently living in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic on his second year, planning for another two years in the country.