Almazbek Suiunbekov: "Exchange programs are accelerators of personal progress"

October 21, 2015

AUCA Business Administration student, Almazbek Suiunbekov, spent his spring semester on an exchange program with the Hannam University in South Korea. Here, he answers a few questions about his unique experience in South Korea.

Why did you decide to study at AUCA?

I was ready to embark on that exciting adventure. The very ticket to that adventure was AUCA’s classes. So I have been trying to get into AUCA since 2011, to the place of my dreams. However, initially I could not enroll in the university because the tuition was too high. It would still be too much to pay even with the university’s financial aid, and moreover I was not academically ready. Nevertheless, I have always adhered to the motto “Never give up!” and kept dreaming of becoming one of AUCA’s most successful alumni. Fortunately, in 2012 Andrew Wachtel and his team generated an unprecedented project, the New Generation Academy, and I became a student of the preparatory program. This program was the long awaited chance for me to take the first step in realizing my dream.

The distinguishing feature of AUCA from traditional universities is its teaching methods - all new to me. They were based on the principles of freedom of expression, a critical approach to inquiry, academic honesty, and a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism bribes. Besides that, the university offered a high-caliber and comprehensive education, an extensive library, unlimited internet, countless extra-circular activities and seminars, and a convenient schedule. Those principles and conditions were more than enough for me to become a loyal and educated leader of my society and to bring progressive and positive changes at the local and regional levels through business.

I daresay that I managed to be one of the “best students of the year” in the NGA program, who received full scholarship for their undergraduate study at AUCA. I always remembered that only “AUCA’s ticket office” provided the ticket to my prosperous future.

 

How did you choose the exchange semester at Hannam University?

Exchange programs are the most effective accelerators of personal progress. In this sense, I decided to apply for the program. “If you love your son, let him to travel,” says well-known ancient Chinese proverb. Most prosperous nations know that if someone travels, works, or studies abroad, he becomes “different” in the context of being more knowledgeable and experienced, and returns to his country with new approaches of thinking and acting. Customs, traditions, social values, legislation all shape the algorithms of one’s thought. I know that studying and working in other countries helps individuals open their minds more quickly; it enables them to find effective ways of solving social, economic, political and scientific issues in their homeland. I wanted to accelerate my personal progress the exchange programs like this one at Hannam University (HNU).

Exchange programs typically signify a harsher “playground” with more complex regulations and features than back at home. The most distinguishing feature of Hannam University was its scope of mission, “to educate competent leaders who will serve their nations based on precepts of truth, freedom and service”. With its fair goal, the university wants to assist in creating the foundation for sustainable living in today’s and tomorrow’s world. HNU aims to contribute to nations by producing well-rounded intellectuals with high moral values, hence it offers a wide range of opportunities to acquire insight and knowledge, just as AUCA does. In this regard, I found HNU to be the very place I should invest my future career in.

 

Had you been to South Korea before?

This trip was the first to South Korea and the longest one I have ever had, it lasted four months.

Professors working at HNU had an infectious amount of motivation and aspiration, so I was happy to have a chance to be among those professors and their students as well. Learning from these people was essential for me, because they gave me the knowledge that would deepen my potential and would positively influence my character. Since the university accepts international exchange students every year, this was a great chance for me to also create a network and foster cultural exchange with students from many different countries. I am sure that that knowledge and experience shared among the students broadened my career prospects. Studying in a culturally and academically rich university of an economically developed country gave me many new ideas and solutions.

 

Do you have any interesting stories to share?

In the Incheon Airport I met another exchange student from AUCA, Samat Osmonov, and together we were taken to Daejon by an HNU bus. We were very tired and slept all the way there. The next day, I found out that I had lost my wallet where I had my credit cards, my passport, and 2000 USD in cash. Interestingly, I did not know why, but I did not get shocked and I was feeling that I would find it. Later, our coordinator said that bus driver took my wallet and kept it safe with all items and cash. It was very good news for me from the very beginning of the semester, I cannot imagine how it would be difficult for me if I lost my wallet, hence I was so very grateful for the driver, especially for his high moral character.

 

What did you get out of this semester abroad?

I think each trip leaves something new in people, hence the exchange program brought me new perspectives about many aspects of my life. This semester did not change my life fundamentally, but I would say that it broadened my personal goals and views regarding our country.

A typical Korean likes to be a part of the family, the collective and the state. They feel like they are in these circles. The importance of being a part of them is vital for them. They take responsibility for those circles. In this regard, they understand the importance of following rules and regulations and do not try to bypass them.

While in SK, Samat and I thought a lot about where our country could begin to become successful in different areas. We considered lots of things: politics, the economy, ideology etc. But in the end, we agreed that SK’s key success was a result of quality learning and teaching. Without a civil nation, we will have no bright future. Save! Spend your money on necessities, not on desires and wants. Invest in education. Then we can bring specialists who will be beneficial for the country, deal with the investors, who will not fail at international courts and bankrupt state budget.

 

Do you have any advice for students who want to apply for exchange programs?

It is often, even always, very challenging and risky to balance an education and extracurricular-social activities. I have being doing great deal of both academic and nonacademic activities to fill those motivation letters and CV with when I was applying to the exchange program. Of course, professors will not give you very nice recommendation letters if you do not deserve their praise. That is why, if someone wants to benefit from exchange programs, he/she should understand that having experience in extracurricular activities play huge role in being eligible to apply.

I am sure that studying abroad is the most effective accelerator of personal progress. It will enrich you not only culturally, but will also give you tons of useful academic information, new ideas and “new perspectives on the world”. There will be plenty of ideas in other countries that are “blue oceans” in Kyrgyzstan and which are adaptable to our situation, or at least he/she will see innovative approaches to existing things in our country.

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