Abstract:
Regionalization-the act of strengthening the inter-state with social ties-attracted important
attention in global governance studies of the political, economic, and cultural ties of specific geographic
areas. The customary focus of Central Asian integration efforts has been elite-level agreements and
state-led initiatives. China and Russia are external powers influencing these initiatives. However,
limited attention has been paid to how individuals, particularly youth engaged in academic mobility,
experience and interpret regional integration from the ground up. This study addresses this gap by
examining the perceptions of international students from Central Asian countries currently studying in
Kazakhstan. Those students from Central Asian countries are studying within Kazakhstan. Exploring
youth perceptions about regional cooperation, identity, and participation across cross-border education,
the research is based on qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 20 students from
Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Educational exchanges along with shared
cultural frameworks seem to encourage a stronger feeling of regional belonging political narratives
spread locally strengthened. This study contributes to the political science and international relations
literature by introducing a youth-centered approach to regionalism with constructivist lens. It offers
practical recommendations for policymakers and educators seeking to strengthen academic partnerships
and foster more socially grounded strategies for Central Asian integration.
