Vanessa Graf: "AUCA is welcoming to foreign students"

March 23, 2016

Vanessa Graf, originally from Austria, is an exchange student from Sciences Po University, at the Dijon campus in France. Currently Vanessa is studying International and Comparative Politics at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA). Vanessa shared her thoughts about life and studies in Kyrgyzstan.

Why did you decide to study at AUCA?

I found out about AUCA from my home university. For us, it is obligatory to go abroad for one entire year. As my studies focus heavily on Eastern and Central Europe, we are usually expected to go there for our year abroad – but Kyrgyzstan, having been part of the Soviet Union, qualifies as well. I am at AUCA for the entire 2015-2016 academic year. 

 

Was it difficult to apply to AUCA?

I did not have to apply directly to AUCA to come study here. For our year abroad, we have to list six choices of universities/countries, in order of preference, and then present arguments for why and how we chose those countries. This letter is then looked at by those in charge in France. In conjunction with the partner university chosen, the students are then sent to the different countries in the world. There is a fixed number of places at each partner university. Some places are very competitive, especially in the U.S., and especially so for Ivy League universities. There was very little demand and no competition for AUCA, so it was easy.

 

What do you think about education at AUCA?

AUCA makes admirable efforts to provide Central Asian students with an international education and support them in their academic and professional careers. There is an impressive support system for students, and there are lots of opportunities, interesting guest lectures, possibilities for internships, etc. AUCA also tries to create a university spirit, and students of this university often feel a strong bond to their alma mater. AUCA sometimes seems like a bubble, disconnected from the rest of the country, with its own tight-knit community, its own structures, and its own reality. The students are proud to be a part of this, and it seems like the university is proud that the students feel this way. Overall, there is a very positive atmosphere—a lot of enthusiasm and motivation.  

That being said, the fact that English is generally the lingua franca here proves difficult in many situations, especially for lower classmen – there is a big gap between the level of English between Seniors, and Freshmen. It takes some time for Freshmen to adjust to the new English-language environment and for everybody to comfortably express themselves. Even many teachers, whose native language is not English, often struggle with this problem. The working structure here is very loose, deadlines are often being extended, the work is often unstructured. This is understandable since the students at AUCA come from many different places and many different educational backgrounds. Bringing everyone up to the same level is difficult, I imagine. Unfortunately, this also means some concessions in the quality of the education offered. Classes can often seem overly easy, too relaxed, low difficulty, and not intellectually challenging. This hugely depends on the teacher, of course, and on the people in the class, but it is nevertheless a trend I have seen.

 

Why would you recommend studying at AUCA?

Coming to AUCA is a good opportunity to get to know the post-Soviet space better, to understand the relationships between the ex-Soviet Republics and Russia, and to experience a Russian-speaking world outside of Russia. Another big incentive is, of course, the beautiful countryside here and the amazing mountains. AUCA is welcoming to foreign students and the fact that most classes here are in English helps; it means you can study in a language you understand and still learn another one, like Russian or Kyrgyz, day-to-day.

Be prepared for your workload to be much smaller than what you are used to, so find other things to do. For example, I interned for different organizations throughout the year.

 

Tell us about your first day in Kyrgyzstan.

On my first day, me and my jetlag spent the entire day in bed, then stayed up all night to gaze at the stars. It really was as romantic as it sounds.

Once I got over the time difference, I immediately took to the mountains. Ever since, this has been what I have liked most about Kyrgyzstan: the nature. There are amazing treks to be done, beautiful places to be discovered, and there is ample opportunity for hiking—even close to the city. Concerning the university, I like the new building. It’s very modern, very beautiful, and full of good places to get coffee.

 

What are your plans after AUCA?

I have a big trip planned for the summer holidays, followed by an internship. Then, a Master’s degree is waiting.

 

Anything you’d like to add?

I definitely would like to say thank you to the International’s Office at AUCA. Zukhra Iakupbaeva and Iliyas Mamadiyarov are always reachable, on all the channels possible, always helpful, always there for you when you need them. Thank you, guys!

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