SUMMER SCHOLARS BLOG : Priskila Teresa Nandita

My First Day in Ulaanbaatar

When I landed at Chinggis Khan International Airport, it was a bright and sunny morning. I had a window seat and watched the endless steppe roll out beneath us. I saw some wind turbines across the steppes, which I feel like a surreal welcome to the country.

In the airport, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude when I saw my suitcase survived the 30+ hours of travel on the carousel.

The airport is about 50 km from downtown Ulaanbaatar and the ride took about an hour. I had not expected to see livestock and gers (traditional Mongolian yurts) so soon. They lined the outskirts of the city as we drove in. I later found out the city center had closed some roads that day for a car-free event, which also explained the detour and traffic.

First impressions on the way from the airport?

So many Japanese cars.

Buildings still carry some post-Soviet architectural flair, especially the residential blocks.

Doors are thick, double-layered, and the concrete structures are clearly designed for Mongolia’s brutal winters. I am extremely thankful to be here in summer because my tropical-Indonesian-born self would not last a day in minus 30 degrees Celsius.

My Airbnb is tucked near some dorms and schools, which gives the area a cheerful and peaceful vibe. The narrow pavement from the main road made it hard to roll my suitcase all the way, but the driver kindly helped me carry it to the apartment. I almost cried.

I had planned to stroll around Sukhbaatar Square, scope out the route to the UN House, and stock up on groceries that afternoon. But the jet lag hit hard and I ended up sleeping the rest of the day.

Stay tuned for what happened during my first full week in Ulaanbaatar, complete with my first day at the office, food adventure, and some very unexpected weather…

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Our Summer Scholars Blog, a collection of reports from post-grad scholars that UNA-NYC has sponsored globally, showcases our fellows' experiences with UN agencies and non-governmental organizations in the country where they are working. Learn more about our Summer Scholars fellowship program and fellows here.