An Experience from Studying Kyrgyz Migration in Post-Soviet Russia: Strategies, Practices, Forms of Capital

Abstract

The history of migration itself plays a key role in shaping the strategies and practices of post-Soviet mi grants from Central Asia, in which the Kyrgyz have managed to accumulate political, economic, physical, human, social, and cultural capital. Its institutionalization, incorporation and materi alization has led to high quality migration: there is a simplified procedure for staying in the coun try for the Kyrgyz coming to Russia, who have access to higher status work, have higher earnings in economically prosperous regions, are able to convert knowledge and skills into economic and social capital, and have stable networked social connections. Currently, there is a further capital ization of the resources available to Kyrgyz migrants, although there are many factors that stimu late and limit this process, including the entry of the Kyrgyz Republic into the Eurasian Eco nomic Union.