"When you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

April 22, 2015

My name is Talgat Subanaliev and I am a dreamer. I am like the "Alchemist" of Paulo Coelho, but from Toktogul in Kyrgyzstan, a region no less beautiful than Andalusia. In high school, I was a socially active student, president of the pupils at my school, trying to make a difference. When I was in 10th grade, I participated in a training camp in journalism organized by the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX). That experience changed my life: I was going to be a journalist and study at AUCA.

About AUCA...

I come from a rural area in Kyrgyzstan. After high school, I had two options, pass all exams and enter university for free, or become a farmer like my parents. My family did not have enough income to pay the tuition fees required by most universities in Bishkek, nor the living expenses. For the large majority of my peers, the odds to access a higher education of quality are very low. Rural schools, regardless of their regional status, do not usually meet the standards of the schools in Bishkek. We are generally finishing high school with poorer academic and English proficiency skills.

But I had a dream, that of studying in the most liberal, open and modern university in Kyrgyzstan: the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek. At the time, I had already visited the capital city of my country and walked by the university. What stroke me the most were the expensive cars parked in front of the building. I wondered what kind of students - and parents – could afford such luxury. Because AUCA is renowned for being a corruption-free university, all those nice cars made me believe that intelligent and talented people can also earn good wages, not only children of corrupt politicians.

At that time, I was reading the famous novel of Paulo Coelho and felt inspired. I deeply believe that “when you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”. But I did not just stand there and hope, I started to prepare hard for the admission exams. That year, AUCA opened the preparatory program of New Generation Academy (NGA) to students from the villages and disadvantaged families.  The program provided, and still does, a full scholarship to 70 students to study English for one year. The 15 best students can continue their undergraduate studies in AUCA. I applied for this program and was selected among hundreds of applicants. That is how I started my journey towards a “bright future”.

The American University is a great place to experience the American way of life. This is a place where you can express yourself and really enjoy learning, not just for the degree but for the sake of knowledge. It is a creative, lively, motivating and inspiring environment.

About the New Generation Academy…

Oooh… the best academic program ever in Kyrgyzstan! NGA is a 360 degree turn opening a door to the world.  

NGA made me grow from a young provincial student to a more active and determined student. That year definitely optimize my potential, at both personal and academic level. I learned English and math. It was an eye-opening experience for me where I learned what studying hard really means.

Moreover, I had the chance to live with people from all over the world. I had rarely interacted with foreigners. In this international environment, I learned to know and respect other’s culture, understanding at the same time that my own culture does not fully define me. I learned to be more open minded, tolerant and developed my intercultural communication skills. But the most gift I receive from NGA is FRIENDSHIP. I deployed my networking skills and built a network of enthusiastic people eager to learn, participate and work.

About singing…

As a liberal arts university, AUCA provides scholarships to talented people. I applied to the vocal competition “Stream”. The winner gets a full-scholarship for four years. I graduated from musical school, majoring with national instruments, but not singing. So, I negotiated with the NGA program to pay for my vocal classes.

I only had two months to become a professional vocalist. Every day, I would rehearse with a teacher, competing with the other students who also prepared for “Stream”. In parallel, I was following the intensive program of NGA. It was extremely demanding and at the end of the day I would often drop dead on my bed. But, as hard work pays back, I won my scholarship. I also started my singing career as one of the singers of AUCA theatre “Mirrors”. And it has been the greatest experience so far.

About extracurricular activities…

Extracurricular activities take a huge place in AUCA students’ life, including mine! That is also what makes AUCA and its students different.

I participate in almost all activities of AUCA.  Currently, I am working and volunteering. I am busy with class projects. For me, of course, the most significant activity is of course theatre “Mirrors”. I love it. It is also a good school to learn how to deal with time management, prioritize and multitask.

I believe that extracurricular activities are crucial for students to learn team work, generate ideas, turn them into responsible members of the community, and make their life more fun.

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