When Language Opens Doors (and Gers)

A broken bus, a crowd of strangers, and a warm welcome with aruul (dried curd) and airag (fermented mare’s milk)—this is how Flynn Morriss first experienced the hospitality of Mongolia. What began as a fascination with Turkic languages quickly opened doors (and sometimes gers) to a culture rich in surprises.

Drawn initially by links between Turkic and Mongolic languages, Flynn stumbled upon the Mongolian language program at the ANU School of Culture, History & Language. He jumped at the chance to study a language so unlike English—one that comes with proverbs so witty they make you laugh out loud. One favourite translates as letting someone “wear a paper hat”—a clever way to describe praise that isn’t particularly useful.

Learning Mongolian proved both challenging and rewarding. Grammar and vocabulary are unfamiliar, but the language offers fresh ways to see the world. Its seasonal expressions, extreme-weather vocabulary, and unique sayings reveal a culture shaped by the vast steppe and harsh winters.

Outside the classroom, Mongolia’s people left the deepest impression. During a field trip, when a bus broke down far from the nearest town, locals welcomed Flynn and his group with generosity and curiosity—proof that the country’s famous hospitality isn’t just a tourist slogan.

Flynn also discovered a vibrant Mongolian community at home in Australia. Festivals and gatherings in Canberra highlighted how connected and resilient the diaspora is.

Studying Mongolia revealed unexpected similarities with Australia: love of the outdoors, shared environmental challenges, and sporting culture. Naadam, for instance, felt like a mix of State of Origin and the Ashes.

For anyone considering Mongolian Studies at ANU, Flynn’s story shows why the program is exceptional: patient teachers, rare opportunities in the southern hemisphere, and experiences that open doors—and sometimes even gers—to unforgettable adventures.