How volunteering helped an AUCA student to study at Bard

April 10, 2015

How volunteering helped an AUCA student to study at Bard & take part in outstanding conferences and summer schools

She does not have a high GPA nor she won any Olympiads and Golden Certificate. But her work and volunteering experience helped her to study at Bard and participate in outstanding conferences and summer schools. She worked for a deputy of Bishkek city Kenesh (city parliament), Elvira Sarieva, and is currently collaborating at AUCA as an AUCA-Bard program assistant. How did she achieve all this? Let’s read the interview with Zukhra Iakupbaeva, a senior student of the International and Comparative Politics department.

Zukhra, we have heard so many positive things about you, and are really interested to hear from you how was your visit to Bard College?

I was in Bard College during spring semester 2014, one of the best memories of my entire student life. If you asked the same question to any exchange student who visited Bard, they will all roll their eyes and say they have never studied so hard. One of the Bard College students told me that the current Bard’s motto “Place to think” should be changed into “Place to read”. There are so many things to read for each class! It was overwhelming, but I still thank Bard for testing my academic survival skills. It made me stronger and more confident. With the advanced writing courses I took while at Bard, I now feel capable of writing articles for some international media outlets from Kyrgyzstan. 

That's interesting. What about your work experience? Tell us about your previous work experience, where did you work?

I have been working since my freshman year, and I have tried so many different jobs, including one in a casino! It was my freshman year, and it was a night-shift work which was a big mistake. It makes no sense to attend classes tired and sleepy. It was an interesting experience though. Some of my peers keep asking me how I find jobs; once, I was even asked if I had ever bribed someone to get a job. Since the beginning, I only have one rule: the earlier you start working, the more chances you have to obtain a better job after graduation. 

Working with a deputy of Bishkek city Kenesh during the end of my sophomore and the beginning of junior years was probably one of the best experiences. I found this job on the Facebook group “Vacancies of Kyrgyzstan”. After an interview and a test, I was hired by deputy Elvira Sarieva, who is now the current Minister of Education. What a tremendous experience I gained there! I better knew the city and processes state authorities do to develop it. Much of the good community work done by Bishkek deputies is not widely publicized by the media and remains under the ice. From the outside, it sustains the image that they do not do anything substantial for the city. Having been accepted to the 2013 USA Work and Travel Program, I had to resign from this position... and sometimes, I even think this program was not worth it. 

People get used to thinking that volunteering, from ICP lexicon, is a zero-sum game.  Still, volunteering brings you benefits. During my three-year experience as a volunteer for the Reproductive Health Alliance of Kyrgyzstan I met many interesting people, who later offered me a contractual job. So, as long as you are fully dedicated, you will reap the benefit in a way or another.

It seems like you have had a very busy academic life, combining your job and studies here within 4 years. You are a senior now and we know that currently you are working at AUCA. Tell us about your work here. What are you working on now? What is your position and what are you up to?

Currently, I am working on campus as the AUCA-Bard Program Assistant. I had worked for the program last year following my return from Bard and applied for this position again. It is the second year AUCA-Bard partnership organizes the Summer Internship Program for North American students. The program includes studying politics of Central Asia at AUCA, holding internship in local and international NGOs in Bishkek, and some sightseeing to cultural sites in and outside Bishkek. We are responsible for finding local host families and internships, organizing cultural trips, preparing orientation days, etc.

Seems very exciting. What do you like the most about your current job? 

The only remaining challenge with my work is to find time to do my homework, especially my senior thesis. I love my thesis and am very passionate about it. 

One of my favorite motivational speakers, Vladimir Pozner, said, the worst thing in a work is not to see its results. I always keep these words in mind, and it motivates me to work harder. And when I see that something I have been working for a long time leads to concrete results, this is the best moment of my work. Of course, interpersonal relations between colleagues and a friendly atmosphere is a must for better productivity.

Tell us about your time-management? How are you combining your work and education?  

The more things I have to do, the better my time management is. Sometimes, when I have many things to do, I blame myself for taking it up. But then, you just allocate your time wisely, calculating even 15 minutes of free time to do some homework or small task, and it works fine. Later, you understand how much time is given to a person to do many things, and how some of them misuse it. I can definitely say – it is hard not to be distracted by social media, especially by Facebook. And as one my friends said, the most difficult thing in the world is to work on oneself. So, if you do not let Facebook win you over, you are one step closer to use your time more appropriately.

And honestly, I also go to bed quite late. 

What can you suggest for your fellow group-mates at AUCA?  

I do not have a high GPA nor a winner of any Olympiads or holder of any Golden Certificate. Only my work and volunteering experience led me to study at Bard and participate to outstanding conferences and summer schools. I am apologizing in front of 4.00 GPA - students and professors, who might prioritize studying of students, but working experience is the key, which leads many students to many successful ending.

Take the habit of answering any relevant emails as quickly as possible. Believe me, it is hard to do it in the beginning because you think you can answer them later, but it looks so professional when you do so. When looking for job, do not feel shy because you feel too young. If you are diligent and responsible, age does not play a significant role. And always think of your short term and long term goals.   

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