JMC Week: Interview with Rita Skochilo

October 30, 2013

- First of all, tell us please why did you choose AUCA?

I never thought I would study in AUCA. My parents and I did not know about possible scholarship and that you do not need to be rich to study here. I didn’t even allow myself to dream about AUCA. I thought AUCA is only for special people from another planet. That’s why after school graduation I had plans to leave to Russia to study in pedagogical university, where scholarship was proposed to me for my creative activities. But suddenly after the test in my school I was the only student who was proposed to participate in Brain Ring. When I went to Seitek, I didn’t even know where I go; I did it just because my teachers told me. I understood it only when I was standing on the stage and having diploma for the second place and 80% scholarship for studying in AUCA. And still I wasn’t aware how important it is. I remember some girl with shining eyes approached me and asked: “Are you going to enter AUCA?” And I answered “yes” just not to disappoint her, because that time I was not going to change my plans. But while I was on my way home, I made a decision. I was ready to change my plans: to stay in Kyrgyzstan, and to study in university, about which I did not even dream.

-- Tell us about your department. What new things did you learn there? How did they help you after your graduation?

The most important what I got here is a knowledge of how West journalism works. Examples of American journalism practice shaped my opinion about how journalism should work and what you should do if you call yourself a journalist. When you seek to do something at this level, it will help you to be at least fairly good in Kyrgyzstan.

-What was your honor thesis project?

It was a risky venture. I decided to make a project, and to do what nobody did before as thesis project at journalism department. I’ve decided to shoot two public social advertisements aimed to make a woman to refuse abortion, if she is intended to do it. It was accompanied by research and every shoot was explained academically proved. It was adventure because shooting social advertisement is not included in educational program of Journalism department, but I wanted to do something creative, something you can touch, and something valuable and important. Also I wanted to do it because I wanted to prove myself that I can shoot and edit fairly good videos, and they can lead to emotions from deep inside. Some girls cried during my defense when I presented videos, I got an A, and was very happy – I did everything that I wanted, and it is not something that will become dusty on the shells in my room.

-You were a very active student during your studies. You participated in different concerts and events. How did you handle all this? How did you combine your studies with extra-curriculum life?

It was easy, because the stage always gives me fresh energy and vitality. If I didn’t participated in concerts, I would not be happy during my studying. Sometimes I was not sure what is more important for me in AUCA – extra-curriculum or studying, but I believe that you shouldn’t separate your EDUCATION at AUCA from your LIFE at AUCA. It is wrong. When you graduate – you forget your papers, your marks, your missed classes – but you’ll never forget your life, if it was full, you’ll never forget PEOPLE, who can stay in your life forever. If you participated in common AUCA happiness, you will never memorize your years in university as empty years.

-Name three huge projects, where you had performed (in a framework of AUCA)

Initiation, Initiation, Initiation! and Miss AUCA.

--All of us saw X-Factor Ukraine and cheered for you very much. Tell us about it. What is your next step in this project? Are you going to participate in it?

Soon you can see the continuation of the project, it is called Training Camp. It consists of three days of moral and physical test for every participant. You will not sleep, you will not have rest for your voice, and you will only rehearse and wait for your performance. Here only the strongest will survive.

-- What good advice would you give to students who want to study in the JMC Department?

Don’t waste your time trying to get an A for every class. Define Big Goal of your life, and absorb the only information you need to reach exactly this goal. Don’t think university’s tasks are enough for you to be ready for your individual life. When you graduate – don’t be just “AUCA student pattern”, during your studies try to find your own way, try to find exclusive information for yourself, and always believe in your goal, believe that you have a right to reach it, and visualize yourself at the moment of reaching the goal.

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