The years spent at a university like AUCA are a great time to develop as people, learn about leadership, engage with the community, study abroad, or explore interests like activism, music, or dance.

September 27, 2017

Emma Svoboda is new member of New Generation Academy faculty, a fellow in the Princeton in Asia program. She is originally from Boston but graduated from Northwestern University, in Chicago, in June 2016. Since graduation she has been teaching English--in 2016-2017 she was in French Guiana through the Assistantes des Langues Vivants à L'étranger (ALVE) program teaching English at the primary level in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, a small river town. “When I am not studying or in the classroom I enjoy reading, hiking, kayaking, traveling, and doing crossword puzzles. I play the piano and cello and have always loved studying and listening to classical music” – told us Emma.

• Is it your first time in Kyrgyzstan? Do you like Bishkek?

This is my first time in Kyrgyzstan! It has been great so far. Bishkek feels like a big city compared to the town I was living in last year in French Guiana and I’m really enjoying it. I have gotten to explore Kyrgyzstan a little so far during my weekends and I hope to continue to see as much as possible of this beautiful country throughout the year.

• What are your impressions (opinion) about AUCA?

AUCA to me feels very familiar--it reminds me of my university back in the States! The campus is very accessible to students and fosters great interactions among students and between students and faculty outside of class time. You can feel the energy of the University just walking around campus. It is clear that AUCA is a student-centered institution that is focused on developing students as complete individuals, with emphasis on extracurricular activity, community engagement, and social events.

• What is teaching for you?

Teaching is me sharing my knowledge with students--presenting things in such a way that they can easily understand, engage with the material, and then improve themselves with my help. Through my Academic English classes, I give students the tools of English interpretation and presentation that will help them succeed in a university and in their careers! Building a trusted and responsible presence in the classroom is very important to me, I want my students to understand that I am there to help them succeed, but that without their own effort nothing is possible!

• Emma, you’ve been in France for a long time, since you were studying there. So, how would you describe your first experience living in different city, country?

When I first moved abroad to study in France during my university, I had some troubles adjusting to a new culture with a language barrier and a new school system. Since then, however, I have lived in many new cities in the US, South America, Europe, and now Asia! The transition to living in Kyrgyzstan has been very easy.

• How did you decide to move in Kyrgyzstan and start teaching in here?

The great thing about the Princeton in Asia fellowship is the amount of guidance I got from their executive team. I applied for the fellowship--which sends recent graduates of US universities to job posts in countries all over Asia--with no preference for which of their teaching posts I would choose. While talking to the PiA program directors and reading the information they had about all of their 100+ postings, I decided that this job at AUCA in Bishkek presented a great opportunity for me and was one where I could really have a fulfilling year.

• What are your plans for teaching in AUCA?

I hope that I can make a positive contribution to each and every one of my student’s educations. Many of my classes tough on things I feel very strongly about; like my Listening and Speaking classes where I teach public speaking skills and strategies to NGA students--I did competitive public speaking competitions all four years when I was studying at Northwestern. I want to inspire my students to work hard in their studies and hopefully impart knowledge and skills to them that can help them throughout their academic and professional careers.

• Since you have bachelor degree in History, would you like to conduct any projects related to your major in here?

I would love to take this opportunity to learn more about Kyrgyz and Central Asian history. My love for history extends outside the classroom--historical books are always my favorite things to read and I always go to museums and try and learn as much as possible about the history of a country I am traveling to. Though I do not intend to go on and get my Master’s or Doctorate in history, I would be interested in opportunities to take part in a team of researchers.

• What countries you would like to visit in future? Why?

While I am living in Kyrgyzstan I would like to see as much of Central Asia as possible. It is a region that not many people in the US have a chance to visit in their lives, and one that has a very rich and unique culture. I would also like to travel through Russia and Southeast Asia. A huge dream of mine is to spend a long vacation hiking in New Zealand.

• According to personal experience, what would you suggest to NGA and AUCA students?

I would advise students to study something they find interesting, but not forget that University is a great chance to grow themselves as whole people, not just as students! At a school like AUCA students are surrounded with the biggest, greatest, and smartest group of peers they likely will ever have in their lives, not to mention the faculty and staff. The years spent at a university like AUCA are a great time to develop as people, learn about leadership, engage with the community, study abroad, or explore interests like activism, music, or dance.

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