Samar Kanatov: "For me, the advantage of exchange studies is the pluralism of learning experience"

December 1, 2022

Samar Kanatov is a junior student of the Economics department at AUCA. This fall semester he is studying at Central European University in Vienna, Austria. Samar always knew that he will participate in exchange and would spend at least one semester abroad. He believes that there are hundreds of benefits to being an exchange student, and the highlight among them is being able to get an experience in different schools for one degree.

“Of course, the exchange is about traveling, making friends, and exploring cultures, but for me, it is also about leveraging my academic experience. My exchange semester so far has been a journey of challenging my experience, myself, and my surroundings on pivotal values of Liberal Arts education that we learn at AUCA. In a differently developed environment, I am able to really exercise critical thinking and critical learning. It enables me to assess what and how I have been learning back at AUCA, looking at ways to improve the rest of my studies. Thus one of the foremost advantages of exchange studies for me is the pluralism of learning experience, which grants one an opportunity to explore prospects of education beyond one’s echo chamber.” - shares Samar.

The exchange was provided as part of the Open Society University Network (OSUN) Mobility Program. Among many incredible OSUN schools, CEU stood out to Samar with its long-sustained commitment to democratic values, including environmental sustainability: “In Kyrgyzstan, I am an environmental activist and I am lucky to be at AUCA, where the sustainability agenda is echoed with increasing popularity; CEU is also a highly responsible institution, where I am able to observe and be a part of environmental activism in Europe. Moreover, CEU puts great emphasis on the inclusivity and internationality of the university, which is a fascinating opportunity for me to get immersed in learning democratic values. And, of course, Vienna is a great city for living – beautiful, convenient, safe, and friendly; being in the heart of Europe, it also allows for affordable interrail traveling – the first thing that an exchange student in Europe desires. I am grateful to have spent my semester in Austria. The country and its capital are places where art and beauty vibrate in the air, encompassing the great history and culture of the nation and ethnicities that live here. Here I observed outstanding examples of strong communities that live by silent agreement of enacting shared values for common good every day. With the CEU hiking club, I enjoyed the astonishing nature of Austria – which made me both homesick but also appreciative of Kyrgyzstan’s beautiful landscapes, too. In the homeland of Mozart, Klimt, and other genius people, I find myself culturally enriched and fulfilled.”

When talking about the best part of studying at his exchange university, Samar found it difficult to pinpoint only one thing. He noted that he loves experiencing the perfect implementation of Liberal Arts education at CEU: “The way we are taught to approach and analyze the subject in class, interact with classmates and instructors, and carry it all out in everyday life, embodying the core values of an open society and democracy.” He also highlighted that CEU has a powerful, dynamic, and closely-knit community: “Students, faculty, and staff at CEU are closely bound in their agency and commitment to common values. The internationality and relative multiculturalism of the CEU community is a core factor of its powerfulness, which enriches the university experience and almost perfectly corresponds to the principles of Open Society institutions.”

Samar believes that the similarity of teaching values and community principles of AUCA and CEU makes his experience at CEU much more comfortable: “I appreciated the introduction to critical thinking and learning that we received at AUCA because it helps me to keep up with more advanced learning at CEU. The agenda of both institutions to be more international is also what they share, and I feel quite comfortable at CEU in a highly diverse and vibrant environment.”

“I am thankful for this opportunity and wish that more and more people from AUCA are able to visit CEU. I believe that through the exchange of students and faculty, the two schools could strengthen each other for more democratic communities.” - concluded Samar.

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