The English Access Microscholarship Program held its first Alumni Reunion in Bishkek

November 23, 2016

On November 14 and 15, 2016 the English Access Microscholarship Program held its first Alumni Reunion in Bishkek. Forty alumni from Osh, Naryn, Talas, Kant, Kyzyl-Kiya, Isfana, Bazar-Korgon, Leilek, Karakol and Dzhalal-Abad attended the meeting. The aim of the Alumni Reunion was to bring together Access alumni and create a sustainable platform for further communication.

The English Access Microscholarship Program (known colloquially as Access) provides foundational English skills, leadership skills and social service awareness through after-school classes and intensives for talented 13-to-16-year-old students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The Access Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and works in 85 countries around the world. The Access program has been working in Kyrgyzstan since 2007.

At the Alumni Reunion, the U.S. Embassy Exchange Alumni Coordinator, Altynai Abdukarimova, and Cultural Affairs Assistant, Natalia Dzhumanalieva, spoke to the alumni. The unofficial portion of the meeting was moderated by the organizers and the first Access Program Alumni, Zhanara Asizova and Lira Momunalieva.

Bakhrom Tursunov, Farkhad Musazov, Lira Momunalieva and Kuttubek Rakhmanberdiev, Access Alumni who are currently studying at AUCA, were invited to share how the Access program impacted their lives.

Bakhrom Tursunov, a 2011 Access Alumnus studying Business Administration at AUCA through US-CAEF, talked about AUCA TV, his already-successful new project “Снова двое,” and his first big experience in cinema with famous film director Nurbek Akun. Bakhrom focused on the importance of intensive self-learning.

Farkhad Musazov, a 2012 Access Alumna studying Sociology at AUCA, shared his experience with NGA and how it helped him study at AUCA. He also covered the significance of an active student life.

Kuttubek Rakhmanberdiev, a 2012 Access Alumnus studying Business Administration at AUCA through US-CAEF, talked about how to get a US-CAEF scholarship and gave alumni practical tips on how to apply. In the end, he underlined the importance of volunteering, networking, working on business projects, and developing your language skills.

Cultural Affairs Officer William Romine closed the Alumni Reunion by recognizing the most active Access Alumni. Romine noted how much they have already contributed to the development of the program in Kyrgyzstan and wished the best of luck to the Access Alumni.

<< go to news list