Roksana Gabidullina - an international student at AUCA

October 24, 2014

 

 

American University of Central Asia not only sends students to study abroad, but following high standards of education AUCA also receives students from different countries and universities to study on campus in Bishkek. International students are actively involved in social life of AUCA, most of them already familiar with different cultures and now experiencing a new one - Kyrgyz. Students study Kyrgyz language, travel around Kyrgyzstan, and try the nomadic style of life.  Students are invited to visit regions of Kyrgyzstan and sightseeing tours. 

 

Roksana Gabidullina is a third-year student at Middlebury College in the US state of Vermont. Her major is International and Global Studies with a focus on the East European/Russian area and a Political Science discipline.

 

She told us about her experience in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and particularly at AUCA.  

 

“I lived in Central Asia several years before moving to the U.S., so I’d heard of Kyrgyzstan before coming here. I came here during the summer with the Bard-AUCA Summer Internship Program, and I will stay in Kyrgyzstan until the end of this semester.

 

My first impressions reminded me of my childhood; I loved the fresh air and the smell of cooked shashlyk. When we were driving from the airport, I laughed in delight when I saw cows on the road. The mountains, though, offered the most spectacular view and one of the best impressions. Kyrgyzstan has breathtaking nature and views!

 

I know about the enormous respect for elders and this, of course, comes to the fore in marshrutkas, when young men and women leap out of their seats to give them to the elders. I am also familiar with some Muslim beliefs and traditions, which are part of Kyrgyz culture. I know a little bit about the Kyrgyz nomadic traditions, beshbarmak, and the komuz. I’ve also tried kumis and fresh horse milk, both of which were really interesting.

 

Of course, the delicious food from various cultures delights me as well—one minute, I can be eating in a Uighur restaurant and the next I can be in Sierra Coffee Café. Definitely cannot forget about the milk used for coffee! It actually tastes like milk unlike the ones I had in the states. Furthermore, Bishkek has the blend of the old and the new; madrassas, mosques, Soviet-style buildings, and modern styles are all present here. History is documented here.

 

My host sister showed me AUCA’s Diversity Week, which I greatly appreciated. I am glad that AUCA is committed to cultural diversity! Besides that, I have a lot more that I like about Bishkek and AUCA.

 

I love culture and I love seeing different people come together and exchange ideas, food, and styles; which is why I like Bishkek. It has Uzbek, Uighur, Russian, Kyrgyz, and Korean restaurants. While the marshrutkas scare me witless I love the people here who are helpful, trusting, and honest. Actually, a couple of days ago I ran out of smaller bills while getting food in the AUCA cafeteria. The kind cashier looked at me with pity and told me to bring the 20 soms when I could. I kept my promise. Her trust warmed me to my toes.

 

AUCA shares some aspects with my college. For example: Middlebury College is a liberal arts institution that is committed to helping students realize their full potential, become creative, and think critically. I think both institutions try to do exactly that.

 

Several differences exist as well and the two off the top of my head are the ‘gotta leave class to take that phone call’ culture and the Power Points. I don’t remember Middlebury students leaving class to take calls unless they were real emergencies. I’ve also done only about five Power Points during the two years I’ve been studying at Middlebury. I am getting better at presenting in front of groups.

 

The difficulties here include not being awkward around people. I am a really awkward and shy person and I am always worried about saying something embarrassing to my peers. I also struggle with trying to speak only in Russian; improving my Russian was one of the reasons for coming here and I have trouble with speaking in only one language. I am used to speaking in Russian and English in one conversation, maybe even in one sentence.

 

I really like the cafeteria food and I love the coffee served by CoffeeMania, so I always look forward to eating kotleti and drinking that drink sent from heaven. Furthermore, I love talking to the AUCA students—they are open and curious and I am always excited during class debates.

 

I am grateful to Bard and AUCA for giving me this opportunity!”

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