American Studies Week: Interview with Lance Tillman

November 21, 2013

Tell us about your professional background and education.

I was born, educated, and am working to become the teacher.

Why did you decide to work at AUCA?

The opportunity to work at AUCA was an extraordinary opportunity to experience a new culture, nation, and group of students in the post-Soviet work.

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

I teach FYS; writing and content, World Religion, American Literature courses, Novels to Film, American Culture through Short Stories, American Culture, and more.

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

I find that the students at AUCA are very much like other studies in other universities around the world. They have strengths such as not only surviving but also some excelling in a university culture that is not clearly one thing. Students here are expected to adapt and learn in a second language. Furthermore, the students learn in an academic culture that is a unique mixture of the Kyrgyzstan post-soviet system combined with the American system.

Why is the American Studies department interesting?

American Studies places an emphasis on the humanities and social sciences in a uniquely inter-disciplinary, liberal arts program embracing the world’s most influential culture and preparing students to embrace a changing world teaching students to study, analyze, and evaluate the greater ideas they are confronted with after graduating.

You are one of the faculty members, who work at AUCA for a long time, and stay in our country. What is special about Kyrgyzstan?

When I had the opportunity to teach for AUCA, I wanted to know if I could be successful outside of the comfort of my native country. What I found was that the students here gave me challenges, good challenges. Kyrgyzstan keeps me learning.

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

I like to read a variety subjects. I sail, do you?

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