"Well everything I have today really started from NGA" - Aimeerim Shukurbekova, IBL

January 16, 2015

The NGA program at AUCA already started receiving applications from students for the NGA scholarship. The final date of the applications' submission is April 10th 2015.

We talked to NGA Alumni, who are now successfully studying at AUCA and tried to find out what should each student do to become a prominent student of NGA and study at AUCA in future. This time we talked to Aimeerim Shukurbekova 2^nd year student, who studies International and Business Law (IBL) at AUCA.

Aimeerim grew up in Osh and she went to NGA because of the scholarship and AUCA’s reputation. Aimeerim has been learning English for 3 years and she is planning to work in the international arena in future.

Try your best, learn hard and be passionate about gaining knowledge. You can be the next student of NGA 2016!

 

Aimeerim Shukurbekova, sophomore IBL

So, Aimeerim why do you want to become a lawyer?

Well, it’s a good question because every time when I am asked this question, people expect from me that I will say “my parents are lawyers”. Of course my father’s secondary education was as a lawyer, but he worked in the military. But it has nothing to do with my parents! You know I chose law because I really want to work in the social sphere and help people. I think being a lawyer can combine this opportunity to help others and solve problems. I feel useful when I can do something for my society. Lawyers can be helpful to others, and this is exactly what I want to do. Now as a sophomore I am studying International Public Law, and I think that in the future I will do my Master’s and also maybe pursue a career in international law.

Well, you say you are interested in the social sphere, do you do any volunteer work currently?

From my first year at AUCA, I started my volunteering at AIESEC. AIESEC is a great opportunity for me because it is a combination of social work and personal development. AIESEC is fun of course, but it also helps me to get engaged with international students. I completed a project called Jash (Kyrgyz=youth). But can also be an abbreviation, Jump above the Skyline Heart. The main purpose of this project was to raise awareness among youth of human rights, which also became my second interest.

 I was in the organizing committee, for the international volunteers doing presentations on their home cultures and countries to students. According to our statistics, we raised awareness among more than 1024 young students in Kyrgyzstan. Also, I dealt in negotiations with universities and searched for host families for the international students. It was interesting because in such kind of work, you realize that our Kyrgyz people are really hospitable. I knew that before, but for the international volunteers it was really interesting. Despite the fact that this project lasted for 6 weeks, we observed huge results which are very emotional. I’m very proud of AIESEC in Kyrgyzstan, because as we worked for them it was just working to do something positive.

Currently, I'm interning in UNDP. There I'm developing my experience exactly in law. As I'm majoring in law, I've decided to become an intern in UNDP trial monitoring program. Thus my main function is to monitor trials in districts and second instance courts. As I've mentioned before, I'm passionate to deal with criminal cases, that's why I prefer to monitor them. However, still I find interesting some civil and administrative court procedures as well.

So you are studying International Business Law, you worked with international volunteers at AIESEC. D you want to work internationally or stay in Kyrgyzstan?

Well I’m in the process of creating my future. But of course I have some pictures in my mind. I feel myself really happy when I am useful, that’s why I will definitely be working in the social sphere. This is a difficult choice for me, whether to work in Kyrgyzstan or internationally. I have just decided to combine this. I am planning to do my Master’s abroad, hopefully in London. After my Master’s, I plan to work abroad for a maximum of 10 years. Then later, I will come back to Kyrgyzstan with all of the experience and help my society.

Back to NGA, was there a dormitory when you were living here?

Yes, there was a dormitory. When we arrived at my first year, I remember we lived in the President’s academy. Our dormitory wasn’t ready yet at that year. But after two months I guess, we moved into the new dormitory.

Had you been to AUCA before you started as an NGA student?

Well, no actually! NGA was totally my choice. It was really hard for my parents to imagine that NGA was a huge opportunity and can give you a chance to study at AUCA for your bachelor’s degree! They suggested me to go to the Law Academy of the Kyrgyz Republic or the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University. But I made my own choice - to apply to NGA.

My main goal was to become independent not only from my parents, but also from society. I remember my first year of study, during FYS. We had a really great professor, Lance Tillman. He always repeated, “No matter what I am telling you as a professor, you should make your own choice.” I remember this very well, for my whole life. I have decided that every time when I am in between choices, I will listen to my own heart. And this choice of NGA is a proof of my words!

So was Lance Tillman then your favorite professor?

Yes!

Are you involved in any other students’ clubs or groups here besides AIESEC?

There is an NGO called Students Ambassadors for Peace, but it is not yet registered here at AUCA. I am the representative from Kyrgyzstan for this NGO. It deals especially with human rights, especially children’s rights. We visit orphanages. Last year we had many projects. The PR office of AUCA also really helped us in providing bags and other materials for the children.

When you aren’t studying nor volunteering, if there is any free time, what do you like to do?

I am really very busy, but I do find time for other things, especially sports. I really love to do sports, especially Yoga here.

Is it difficult?

No, as I have started from last year, 3 semesters ago. I also visit the gym, though not here. Also I do love to ski, but I hurt my leg last time. What else? Well I love books.

What authors do you like to read?

I love detective stories like Sherlock Holmes. But also I love Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Do you know any other languages?

I have just started to learn German by myself. If I’ll have enough credits, I will take German language course here at AUCA.

Do you have any advice for someone who is trying to learn English? Because you speak it very well

Well, a lot of Kyrgyz girls and boys are a little bit shy. They should overcome this barrier and practice their speaking more. And TOEFL, if they study for a maximum of 1 year, I think it will be perfect!

Is there anything else you want to say?

Well everything I have today really started from NGA. That is why I want to say a big thanks to the NGA program, to its staff and professors, and to our president, Andrew Wachtel of course. I think that everyone who has studied at NGA feels certain responsibility over him. Not just for the 4 years they study at AUCA, but for their future as well.

<< go to news list