Multilingual Student Research Conference

April 11, 2014

"I would like to share with something that I have experienced in my three years of studies at the European studies department and that was very useful for my academic progress.

I study at the American University in Central Asia, at European Studies department and I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my department and in particularly the Chair of The European Studies Department Professor Liubov Anatolievna Jdanova, for providing such a great opportunity and initiating bridge for my further development as well, the administration of AUCA for supporting and financial assisting of this event.

While going through the process of preparation and research, I had some hardships and difficulties in conduction it in my third language (French). But fortunately at the end, with the help of Luibov Anatolievna, all the challenges were overcome and tackled. What is crucial in this experience is that before this conference I had no idea how I am going to write my thesis. But consequently, I realized more or less how it should be done. I would love such conferences to happen more often in the university, in order to prepare students better for writing their senior thesis. The speech in front of the public, dress code, ceremonial conference, personal responsibility and support by colleagues impressed all of us. Write and speak in French or in German, it was the great emotional moment for every student. Our first participation in the academic event became important for our future career.

European Studies department organizes annual Multilingual Student Research Conference on topics related to the European Culture for third-year students since 2011. Every year the conference is focused in different topics: 2011 - Cultural Diversity of Europe in the XX century; 2012 - The Impact of Revolutions on the Cultural Diversity of Europe in the XIX century; 2013 - Culture is a tradition; 2014 - Intellectual puzzle of the Age of Enlightenment.

It is mandatory for all the juniors of the department to participate in. Juniors are supposed to choose their topic in the beginning of the year from the given list and their research on 3 different languages: French, German or English. By the end of the first semester they have to submit their drafts and in February (the beginning of the second semester) present their work on the conference in front of the big audience including important guests like members of the European Union Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic, cultural attaché of the French Embassy, DAAD director, AUCA administration, and any willing people. In fact all students and professors of the European Studies department are involved: freshmen and sophomores register the guests, and allocate the hand-outs, seniors moderate the conference, present participants and report’s abstracts in three languages, and all juniors are the presenters. While professors are editors and all together participate in the selection of the best works to be published."

Here are other participants of the previous years, which are going to talk about the immense advantages of this event.

Shamsiya Rakhimshoeva (participated in 2012)

Alumni ES department 2013
Firstly, this conference empowers students to assess and enhance research skills and for many including me, this was first opportunity to actually publish a work that will be read not only by my professor, but it would be available for a wider audience.
Secondly, it is the first opportunity to operationalize the language skills that students attained during two and half years of studies into substantial piece of work. Yet, the journey toward finalizing this substantial work has been rough but with confidence, I say it was worth it.
The conference is not only about researching and writing in a second language, it is about presenting your work to wide audience of students, professors and high representatives from various European institutions and institutions that are affiliated with Europe. It is wonderful occasion to make networking with people who might provide you an internship opportunity or in the greatest scenario become your future employers. At the end of the day, it was feeling of revelation and pride which was preceded with warm chat with a bunch of smart people and good food.
To an extend it broke the wall of my uncertainty in respect to my language skills. Langue is always an asset no matter what you pursue or where you go or what you do. It has been an advantage for me while pursuing my master degree in the heart of Europe, Budapest in the Field of International Relations and European Studies.

Анастасия Грядасова (participated in 2013)

1) This conference is a good opportunity for every ES student. First of all, you can develop your public speaking skills. Second, it is a good experience of making a serious research in French/German/English languages that can be published in a scientific journal which is always an advantage for future studies. 2) My impressions after the conference were amazing because I felt that it was a good academic achievement for my personal development. 3) Of course practicing public speaking is essential not only for academic life but also for future career. Every leader must be able to present his/her ideas and these skills should be developed in university. Therefore, don't lose this chance that can contribute to your career plans! 4) Of course there were some difficulties during making the research. But nevertheless if you spend more time on research and do not postpone it till the very last moment, it can be done well.

Анастасия Крамских (participated in 2014)

1. This conference increased me confidence during speaking in front of an audience. Then, I got not only a lot of knowledge about my topic, but also good experience in writing a research in French and in delivering a public speech.

2. Actually, I expected that there would be more people. Nevertheless, even the smaller audience was a little bit scary. It was great that I coped with it. I am really proud of my department.

3. Of course, it was difficult, especially to investigate something in French. Also, it was not that much easy to choose the proper information from the huge amount of sources. But, Professor Jdanova gave us enough time and helped a lot; thus, all the difficulties were overcome.

I would love to call students from other departments to attend this conference, where they can receive the published book, and see the samples of very good researches and presentation made in different languages.

by Maral Dzheenbekova

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