Video posts by Adilet Sapargali, a 22-year-old Kazakhstani traveling the world and introducing foreigners to Kazakh culture in flawless English, are racking up millions of views online. Social media users admire his pronunciation and natural delivery, calling him a gifted presenter. Kursiv LifeStyle spoke with him to find out how this young Kazakhstani became a social media star.
Who is Adilet Sapargali?
Sapargali was born in the village of Baluan in the North Kazakhstan region. Last year, he graduated from Eurasian National University in Astana, where he studied tourism. He is currently pursuing further studies at a university in Sakarya, Turkey.
Fame came to him suddenly. One of Sapargali’s Instagram videos, in which he speaks English, instantly went viral, surpassing 1 million views, while his following grew to 37,000.
From a mobile game to the U.S.
The question that appears most frequently in the comments under his videos is: «Where did you learn English so well?» His answer, however, is surprisingly simple.
«I learned English entirely on my own. It all started about six years ago, during the COVID pandemic, when everything was shut down. I started playing the mobile strategy game ‘Age of Conquest IV’ and chatting with other players in-game. Over the course of a couple of years, my skills improved dramatically. Then came a trip to the U.S., which helped me solidify and sharpen my speaking abilities. The most effective method is simply immersing yourself in the language,” Sapargali said.
His choice of career reflects his passion for travel. By 22, he had visited a number of countries, including the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Russia, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China.
By his own account, the Chinese city of Yining — also known as Ghulja — has captured his heart the most. The scenery is stunning, the locals are warm and many of them speak fluent Kazakh. On top of that, Kazakhstani citizens don’t need a visa to visit China, and the city sits just a short distance from Almaty. Sapargali is convinced it’s a place everyone should visit at least once.
Expedition to Mongolia: “They call us brothers»
He is currently in Mongolia, actively filming new content. What struck him most there was the remarkable hospitality of the local Kazakh community.
«I was moved by the warmth of the welcome here. People invite me into their homes completely free of charge, share their food with me, show me around and treat me like family. Unfortunately, Kazakhstanis rarely visit them, and some even mock them on social media or call them ‘Mongols.’ That’s not right. No matter where we live, we share the same blood,» he said.
Despite the fame he’s earned through his English skills, Sapargali says language is merely a tool. His real goals run much deeper. First, he wants to raise awareness about environmental protection and climate change — he’s witnessed firsthand how rapidly the climate is shifting in Mongolia, with droughts drying out pastures.
Second, he is deeply committed to preserving cultural heritage. He worries that Kazakh traditions, crafts and authentic village life are gradually disappearing.
«My main dream is to help develop our land and preserve the culture and traditions of rural communities, which are on the verge of disappearing. I want to do my part in safeguarding this heritage for future generations,» Sapargali said.
