Andrew Wachtel, the president of the American University of Central Asia (AUCA), met with Nadya Zhuravleva, a representative of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Extension program. The mission of the UCLA Extension is to provide extraordinary learning experiences for adults of all ages.

On April 2, 2016, the Writing and Academic Resource Center team (WARC) held an out-of-town teambuilding retreat at Kara Bulak Resort near Arashan. The trip’s goal was teambuilding. During the day, the team went to see a waterfall, played some games, had lunch, and reflected on their team.

April 5, 2016, a group of representatives of Polish universities and the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education met with chair of the psychology department Elena Kim, international student coordinator Iliyas Mamadiyarov, and coordinator of academic affairs Nazgul Koilubaeva to discuss potential academic collaboration and the development of exchange programs between Polish universities and AUCA.

Jeff Potts, an exchange student from Colgate University in New York, USA, is currently studying Environmental Management and Sustainable Development at AUCA. Jeff is originally from Pennsylvania, USA. He talks to us about why international students should apply for AUCA’s exchange program.

Mariya Antonova, Director of AUCA’s Writing and Academic Resource Center (WARC), and Paul Drosnes, WARC Coordinator, share with us some information about the university’s tutoring center.  

On March 26 at the Kyrgyz National University, AUCA students Lu Tian (ECO-114) and Malianchinova Khamida (JMC-112) participated in Japanese Language Speech Contest. AUCA students were involved into this event for the first time.

The members of the Student Intellectual Life Committee (SILC) at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) told about their work to an audience of students. The SILC members gave advice on how to write applications for SILC grants, pointed out common application mistakes, reminded applicants of what is mandatory and important for applying for a SILC grant, and provided information on what grant-winners must provide after returning to AUCA.

Anne Pyburn is a visiting professor at AUCA from Indiana University (IU) Bloomington. At IU, Pyburn is a professor in the Anthropology department and the Provost’s professor in the English department. In Kyrgyzstan, she has worked with archaeologists and citizens' groups to develop projects for cultural resource management.

On March 4th, 2016, AUCA President Andrew Wachtel received an Honorary Professorship from the Kyrgyz National University. Memorandum of cooperation between universities signed.

Associate Professor of Philosophy Duane Lacey currently teaches in the FYS Division. In the near future, he will also be teaching in the new L.L.M. Graduate Program. Professor Lacey shares his academic experience, research projects, thoughts on AUCA, and even some advice for students in this brief interview.