Aya Hirata’s life-changing journey in Samarkand
Aya Hirata, a Japanese student, is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Architecture at Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Samarkand. Her journey showcases a unique blend of cultural exploration and academic ambition.
Choosing Uzbekistan for higher education isn’t a common route, but for Aya, the rich history of Samarkand and its renowned architectural heritage made it the ideal destination. Studying architecture in such a city lets her experience history firsthand, not just through books but also through living monuments.
From her first days in Samarkand, Aya was struck by the city’s beauty and the warmth of its people. She found Uzbek culture both different and surprisingly familiar, especially in its respect for tradition and hospitality.
Through her studies and daily life, Aya continues to find new perspectives, making her experience both academically valuable and personally enriching. For other international students, the advice is simple: be open, curious, and willing to explore. Samarkand is not just a place to study – it is a place to grow.
<iframe width="680" height="420" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rm8ijNV2dEA" title="Aya Hirata’s life-changing journey in Samarkand" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>Musulmon Ziyo, video by Doniyor Yoqubov, UzA
