Tanya Efremenko, alumna of class of 2015

March 15, 2016

Tanya Efremenko, a graduate of the Anthropology Department of class of 2015, has done several research projects, internships and service projects with organizations like HelpAge International, GIZ, UNESCO and B’Art Contemporary. She is now completing a Master’s Program in Urban Studies in Vienna.

“One of the most memorable experiences at AUCA was the anthropological fieldwork in Istanbul, where we have conducted research according to each students’ interests. Also, in 2014, I did an exchange semester in Germany at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. Undoubtedly, I would not have had the opportunity to accomplish all these things without the support of many people from AUCA.

The greatest part of being at AUCA was the variety of possibilities and opportunities we were given. On top of that, we had a great international community and atmosphere at AUCA. For me, as an anthropologist, it was important to interact with people from different backgrounds in order to understand their differing points of views. I think tolerance and the capacity to be broad-minded are two things citizens of the world need to have nowadays. I believe that the absence of these two abilities, has been one of the major factors in day-to-day conflicts we have in the world. Because of these two factors, AUCA is a unique institution in the region and its values and spirit have to preserved and pass to next generations.

After completing my Bachelor’s degree, I decided to go directly into a Master’s program. One of the reasons was because I wanted to narrow down my interests and focus on a specific field. Currently, I am doing a Master’s Program in Urban Studies in Vienna. This is a two-year program and the most interesting part is that we have the opportunity to study in one of four European cities each semester (Brussels, Vienna, Copenhagen and Madrid). My interest in urban studies was piqued when I was at AUCA. I was involved in several research projects looking into park zones in Bishkek. I also was an assistant to a PhD researcher on Post-Soviet housing in Kyrgyzstan. My junior year, I conducted research with professor Emil Nasritdinov from the Anthropology about the social life of Soviet microdistricts in Bishkek. Later, I published an article on my research and presented it at a conference in Bishkek. Through my experience, I became familiar with several problems in urban development, non-compliance of the architectural plans, the perception of the city by its citizens and how mentality and ideology influence urban development.

The application process to the program was not extremely difficult, but nonetheless quite time-consuming since I found out about the program three days prior to the deadline. One of the challenges was that there were many applicants from all over the world, but thanks to my experience and everything from AUCA, I was accepted into the program.

I have a certain plan for my life, which I try to fulfill step-by-step. But of course, after graduation from AUCA, some of my priorities have changed. For example, I am now not sure if I want to pursue a PhD right after my MA, like I had planned before. Now, I think I would like to work or volunteer for some time in a few countries in South America or South-East Asia. I think there will always be time for me to work in the office or on some serious issue or project in the future, that is why now I want to do things which could contribute to my personal development and experience. I truly enjoy this period of my life, since I have the opportunity to explore the world, to learn things not only in the classroom, but also by traveling and meeting different people. To be honest, I do not know what is going to happen in two years, but that is also a good thing. It means that we have plenty of choices. We can use them and accomplish a lot.                                                                

Honestly, I am not the kind of person, who misses the places that they have left, or the times that have already passed. The thing AUCA gave me were people. I would miss AUCA if I lost connection with people from there. But I did not. I am still in touch with so many people, who I met at AUCA, even though now we are spread all over the world. Of course, I would like to go back to my university when I get a chance. I want to re-meet all my professors and see how much AUCA has changed in a good way. The one thing I miss for sure is the samsy from the Kitchenette! :)

Finally, I am grateful to everyone I met over my studies at AUCA, since everyone has influenced me in some way or another. In particular, I am so grateful to the professors in the Anthropology Department for everything they have done for us and still are doing for their students. I want to conclude with one of my favorite quotes from the movie The Pursuit of Happiness.

Do not ever let somebody tell you, that you cannot do something. You have a dream. You have to protect it. People cannot do something themselves, they want to tell you, that you cannot do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.

I think it is worth it taking risks in life, because we never know what is going to happen in a few days, I would encourage everyone to set your goals as high as you want and try to prove it to yourself that nothing is impossible!"

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