Aselia Biialieva: "I am grateful to be an AUCA student"

April 18, 2016

The Student Intellectual Life Committee (SILC) supports student-initiated projects, professional development opportunities, and student research. It awards small grants every month to AUCA students.

Aselia Biialieva, a junior in the Economics department, told us about her SILC grant.

"Currently, I work as the Vice President of Finance in the youth-run organization AIESEC. This organization provides people with many opportunities for developing leadership and organizational skills. Having become Vice President, a position with a lot of responsibility, I felt the need to get international experience and to find out how finance works in other AIESEC committees across the world. That’s why I wanted to attend one of the largest International AIESEC Conferences—EuroCo 2015 (European Congress).  I would not have been able to attend this conference, if one of my colleagues hadn’t advised me to apply for an SILC grant. As a matter of fact, I didn’t believe that I would get the grant; however, I decided to apply. The results were surprising. The committee was very responsive and supportive. I would like to express a heart-felt thank you to the SILC committee. With the grant, I went to the conference.

This year, EuroCo was held in Romania, a country mostly known because of a medieval prince Vlad III more often referred to as Dracula. Romania has a rich cultural history and is a paradoxically beautiful place, combining old and new buildings on the streets. The conference brought together more than 400 delegates from North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Europe. All five days of the conference were full of interesting and productive activities and sessions. The most anticipated activity was our cultural celebration, “Global Village.” We, The Kyrgyz Delegates, showcased our dance, our national foods, souvenirs and the national headwear “Kalpak.” We presented our cultural paraphernalia to the presidents of partner countries. I met with several interesting Alumni of AIESEC International, as well as the current President and Vice Presidents of AIESEC International. They both shared with us their strategies and plans for developing an organization. In addition, there were workshops, led world-recognized companies like PwC, P&G, EY, ING. We talked a lot about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There was one day, when all the delegates had the chance to find country partners for AIESEC internships. I am pretty sure that it was very productive, as we agreed with many of the European countries. Indeed, this year, AIESEC in Kyrgyzstan could establish many internships which would send students (undoubtedly many from AUCA) to several different European countries.

Regarding my personal experience, I was hugely motivated to grow more, to become more and to do more. It is exactly these kinds of conferences which make me aware of the role I play in my country and make me start thinking globally and acting locally. If other countries can do it, we in Kyrgyzstan can do it as well and represent Kyrgyzstan on an international level by enacting the plans we put forth in AIESEC in Kyrgyzstan.

Having attended the conference and enjoyed this life-changing, bright moment in my life, I thank the SILC again for enabling this international experience. AUCA students should never hesitate to apply for an SILC grant and to use all the opportunities AUCA offers. I am grateful to be an AUCA student."

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