U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan meets with students

November 20, 2014

On November 20^th, 2014, representatives from the Public Affairs Section of the United States Embassy in Tajikistan visited the American University of Central Asia. They met with Tajik students, both NGA (New Generation Academy) and undergraduate, who have received funding from U.S. Embassy grants in the conference room; it was the first time that the Cultural Affairs office of the Public Affairs Section saw the students that they support. “We usually only talk on the phone. It’s good to get input from the students to see how we can help them more,” said Andrea Kalan, Cultural Affairs Officer. The representatives wanted to get input from the students on ideas for funding, projects, and get a general sense of how their life was here at AUCA.

As the meeting began and the students introduced themselves, and a pattern was noticed. A sizable amount of the students were from a certain city in Tajikistan, dubbed the “Khorog mafia” by Andrea Kalan. The students were asked if they thought the NGA program was helpful, and the resounding answer was yes. “NGA helps students adapt successfully to the social and cultural atmosphere…[can] more easily cope with stress from the 1^st year,” said one student.

One of the biggest concerns and ideas given voice by the students was increased support for exchanges and opportunities abroad. One student said, “it may be arrogant to ask for more…” to which Andrea Kalan replied “you don’t get what you don’t ask for.” Students asked about support for AISEC programs, a non-profit organization that provides global opportunities for students, research grants, and more.

The representatives noted all ideas, and made students aware of a few opportunities: grants for U.S. Embassy program alumni, the Fulbright fellowship for after graduation, a SUSI (Study of the U.S. Institutes) Women’s Leadership program in Washington, and more.

 As the meeting came to a close, the students were urged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe if they were ever in town so they could work with the staff on presentations and increasing awareness of Embassy programs for local students. They also all had good things to say of the new American Corner building in Khorog, if perhaps a bit too big in size.

One of the students attending, Shukrona Nazirmadova, told us that the “meeting was helpful because we know that someone cares and supports us.” On behalf of the students and all here at AUCA, we would like to thank the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan for the continued support of our students and for giving them the opportunity to interact in a collaborative environment with those who make their education possible.

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