Pinay expat teacher Elena Laddran shares with The Filipino Expat her journey to the heart of Central Asia, and how she fell in love with the country and its people.
When Elena Laddran arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan in November 2007, she stepped into a world of silence and snow. Coming from the bustling, vibrant energy of the Philippines, she immediately felt the contrast between the two worlds.
When I arrived, it was early winter. On my second day, it snowed a lot,” Elena recalls of her first impression. “It was so quiet. In the Philippines, if you drop a needle, it won’t reach the ground because of the crowds. In Kazakhstan, you’ll see that needle fall all the way.
Nearly twenty years later, the quiet Kazakh landscape has become her home. A dedicated science educator originally from Isabela, Elena has spent half her life in Almaty, the former capital and the largest city of Kazakhstan, evolving from a curious expat into a dependable figure in the international teaching community in her “second motherland”.
From playing “teacher” to real teacher
Elena’s path to education was paved with a sense of duty. “I originally wanted to be a doctor. I saw how elegant they were, and I really wanted to help sick people,” she says. But while she once dreamed of wearing the white robe of a doctor, family circumstances forced her to change her plans and ended up chosing Secondary Education, specializing in Biology. “I chose science because I love researching,” she explains.
It was a natural fit. As a child, she had already been “playing teacher” with her cousins and siblings. After finishing university, she went on to teach science in the Philippines at Lifespring Academy, Don Fabian, and Mother of Perpetual School, Fairview, both in Quezon city, for three years.
An opportunity arose through a friend to work abroad, in a lesser known country in Central Asia. “I said yes, why not? At that time, I had the responsibility of helping my younger siblings go to school,” Elena explains. She was up for an adventure of her life.
“Teaching in the Philippines is good, but the salary was a bit lower than the offer. It was good timing because I was already thinking of moving to another country for better opportunities. Thank God I was hired.”
Before leaving the Philippines, Elena spent weeks glued to her laptop, trying to wrap her head around Kazakhstan. It felt a world away. Such a mysterious country, nothing like home.
But the moment she stepped off the plane in Almaty, her research felt small, the physical environment instantly left a mark. “My first impression of Kazakhstan was how vast and beautiful it is. The landscapes, especially the mountains, are breathtaking. If you are a nature lover, this is your place.”
In her first years in the country, English was not widely spoken, so Elena had to take an intensive Russian course. She took it seriously and eventually, earned an upper-intermediate certificate. “My Russian teacher even told me I could teach the Russian language to the little ones,” she says. She also understands and talks a bit of Kazakh.
Teaching with a heart
Elena’s Kazakh journey as an international teacher started at the prestigious Miras International School, owned by the daughter of Kazakhstan´s former President. It was here that she truly began to integrate, despite the initial hurdles of climate and language. She spent over a decade here, even earning a promotion to Kindergarten Coordinator, one of the Primary School Administrators.
She now currently teaches at Kazakhstan International School (KIS) in the Early Years department, working with children aged 4 to 5. In a field often dominated by native English speakers from the West, Elena has found a meritocracy based on passion and skill rather than origin.
She recalls a conversation with a Polish colleague who asked why she had stayed so long. “I told her, ‘Because I love the people.’ They don’t look at you as someone who is not a native English speaker; they look at how you teach. They see you teaching with a heart.”
This “teaching with a heart” has allowed her to rise to administrative roles and receive personal recognition from the school.
The Kazakh pull
There are around 4,000 Filipinos in Kazakhstan. Most of them work as teachers, engineers, chefs, cleaners and nannies. Though the Filipino community in Almaty is small, “the strong sense of community among Filipino expats helps ease some challenges living abroad,” relates Elena.
Elena carries her Pinoy culture with pride. During school international days, she introduces her students and colleagues to the flavors and rhythms of home. “I really offer a Filipino table. I invite my colleagues to try our food, and I’ve even had my students dance the Itik-ititk. They learn how to make pastillas and roll lumpia,” she shares. “My students even know the word Kumusta. I am very proud of being Filipino. I love working with my workmates from different cultures. I can show my culture to them proudly.”
Almaty is where Elena has built her family. She met her husband Jally— a professional chef—in the country, and they are raising their five-year-old daughter in a city they consider incredibly safe and affordable.
Her favorite local treats? Besbarmak, a traditional meat and flour dish, Baursak, a bread like a sugarless doughnut, and Plov, a dish of meat, rice and vegetable. In her free time, she spends exploring the country´s beauty. She recommends checking out Big Almaty Lake, Central State Museum, Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral, Ile-Alatau National Park. Charyn Canyon, First President’s Park, and a lot more.
Despite receiving offers to work in other countries, Elena can´t bring herself to leave the Land of Great Steppe. She points to the soul of the Kazakh people. “Kazakhstan is always pulling me back. It is the people. Kazakhs are warm and hospitable. They treat me as family. I have never experienced racism or discrimination here. I feel the love.”
Elena knows she made the right choice nearly 20 years ago. “I consider this country my second motherland. My journey to Kazakhstan has been both exciting and challenging. But living here has taught me resilience, adaptability, and cultural appreciation. I have learned to step out of my comfort zone and, over time, turned this country into another home for me and my family. It has taught me to embrace differences, find joy in simple experiences, and truly appreciate what the country has to offer.”
Looking toward the future, Elena has no plans to leave the mountains of Almaty behind.
I want my daughter to know, Anak, this is the place where I grew personally and professionally.
With a wink and a nod to her adopted home, Elena leaves us with her favorite Kazakh word: “Қош келдіңіз” (Kosh keldińiz)—Welcome. And in Elena’s world, everyone is.
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