Begimai Sataeva: “My conscious career path started at my alma-mater”

October 19, 2015

Begimai Sataeva is an alumna of the Journalism and Mass Communications Program class of 2015. At AUCA, Begimai worked with on several social initiatives, was a correspondent for several different international media agencies, and worked in the AUCA communications office. She is currently living in Warsaw, Poland, working as a journalist.

“The most important part of AUCA’s education is that it doesn’t just give you academic knowledge; it gives you life skills, best friends, and resources to realize your potential. My chosen career path started at AUCA. Studying in the Journalism and Mass Communications program has given me so many opportunities to actually practice almost every aspect of journalism.

My freshman year at AUCA, I began my career in journalism by writing for the New Star, the student newspaper. That was my first real experience writing an article according to international standards and taking responsibility for every single published word. That experience also allowed me to really get a feel for the profession--getting excited when when you see your name printed under your article. That excitement is the best professional feeling. Later on, I worked with AUCA TV, where I was able to get a hands-on experience with fully professional equipment. I remember when I was sent out to take photos of ex-president of the Kyrgyz Republic Roza Otunbayeva and then U.S. ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Pamela Spratlen.

My journalism classes were very intense. Many of the articles and projects I did for those classes went on to become award-winning submissions to competitions like UNDP and UNICEF.

In addition to journalism, I became very interested in social urban projects. I was part of a team that, in cooperation with the Soros-Kyrgyzstan Foundation and the City Hall of Bishkek, conducted two projects. One of the projects--a 3D crosswalk--even gained reknown beyond the Kyrgyz Republic. AUCA teaches us more than to learn, but also to give something good back to the world. I believe this is how we should work. For the ideas that came from my Visual Communications classes, I need to thank my professors Gulnura Toralieva and Jyldyz Kuvatova who educated and inspired me.

My last year at AUCA was one of the best and one of the hardest. I worked in the Communications Office at AUCA with a prominent team and the best boss in the world, Dinara Orozbaeva. This work gave me the opportunity to meet and talk in-person to my role model George Soros. In the Communications Office, I also began to understand how communications work in real life. At the same time, I was continuing my work as a freelance journalist for different international organizations like the Institute for War and Peace Reporting. I was also writing my BA thesis, which remains the hardest challenge I’ve faced. I would like to thank my professor and advisor Bahtiyar Kurambaev million time, who supported and helped me to finish Bachelor.  

I’ve contacted many alumni of AUCA to write about them, they are the best examples of success. However, in the bustle, I had no time to apply for jobs. After graduation I was offered a few jobs, but I really wanted to get international experience. I applied for an interesting position in Europe and got my acceptance mid-July.

I thought that after getting the confirmation letter for a job, everything would be free and easy. In reality, though, once you get your letter, the hardest part begins. The bureaucratic procedures are tough, but it’s worth it.

Now, I am exploring and practicing Media, Advertising, and Gender as an interdisciplinary field. I live in a diverse society like I did at AUCA. It’s not an exaggeration to say that AUCA prepares students for life, be it in Kyrgyzstan or abroad. Next year, I’ll be completing a Master's Program in the Netherlands.”

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