American Studies Week: Interview with Mary Bernadette Conde

November 18, 2013

Tell us about your professional background and education.

I plunged into full-teaching profession after receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, while I juggled Law School and my Master’s degree in History. I left Law school for Bremen Universitaet, Germany for a Ph.D. Research Program in History awarded by the Deutscher Academischer Austauschdienst (DAAD). I have an extensive professional and international background and experience in teaching and research in higher educational institutions in the Philippines and Germany before coming to Kyrgyzstan. I entered AUCA in 2004 as an Assistant Professor, served as the Chair of American Studies Department from 2006-2010, then Director of First Year Seminar and Academic Orientation from 2010-July 2012.  When I went to the US last year, I also worked briefly as a program developer and teacher cum administrator in an early education program/institution in Berkeley, California. Currently, I am an Acting Associate Professor of the American Studies/European Studies Department.

Why did you decide to work at AUCA?

I prefer AUCA to other institutions because it is probably the only educational institution in KG that creates or gives many opportunities, diverse ways, and challenges for fostering intellectual development among its students and enhancing professional growth among faculty. AUCA promotes diversity and creativity, free and independent thinking, and progress.     

Which courses do you teach? What methods of teaching do you follow?

In previous semesters, I taught courses on American History, Honors Thesis Seminar, Central Asian History, and several other interdisciplinary and online/virtual courses such as Freedom and Responsibility and Popular Culture and Globalization. Currently, I am teaching US Government and Politics and First Year Seminar. In spring semester, I offer to teach US Political Parties and a new course on Food Culture and Global Foodways. While I do employ the Socratic approach in my classes, I also tend to be eclectic and would focus on student-centered and skills-driven activities that are adaptive to students’ learning levels and needs.     

Who are AUCA students? How do they differ from students of other universities?

Our AUCA students are more inclined to have independent thinking, well informed reasoning, and understanding humanity. They don’t necessarily oppose challenges that hone their abilities to make learning an enduring lifelong experience.   

Why do you like Kyrgyzstan?

Kyrgyzstan has become my second home when my husband, who is a Kyrgyz, and I decided to move in here from Germany. I like KG for its green city of Bishkek, the amazing jailoos and the tasty kolbasa made of horse meat.       

Please tell us a little about yourself. How do you spend free time? Do you have any hobbies?

I love to read books, surf the internet, and watch news channels and a few sitcoms and series such as The Big Bang Theory and Dr. House. My idea of free time is about spending it for and with my three boys when they are on ice hockey training in Katok Gorodskoi. Thus, free time is no longer free but alloted as I do multiple roles as a mother, wife, daughter-in-law, and an educator.   

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