Initiation 2012: Interviews

November 15, 2012

 

Andrew Wachtel

AUCA President

 

- Every year Nikolay Shulgin puts on one of the best shows in the country, and every year the show becomes stronger.  These students work from the beginning of the year, and what they accomplish by this time really encompasses the spirit of AUCA students. 

 

This year the theme was the Apocolypse, related to the pop culture prophecy of the Mayan calendar.  When the actors started counting down to the end of the world during the finale I thought to myself, this wouldn't be such a terrible way to go out.

 

Fortunately everyone survived, and the students once again provided a unique experience for all of us.  Initiation is a tradition that is important to AUCA, and part of what makes AUCA students different.  From the formal ceremonies where we recognize a transfer of power to a new student senate and administer the freshman oath to the stage show, we show our new students that being at AUCA is not only about studying, but also about being part of a community. 

 

Considering that we do not have professional programs in theater or dance, what our students do on stage is spectacular.  At AUCA we look for students who can think, but not necessarily dance.  But as Hawk Harrelson says, success breeds success, and our AUCA students prove every year that they are smart, creative, and inspiring young people. 

 

Many people see this event and lament that these talented kids are inevitablly going to leave the country and go on to better things.  I don't think that's true at all.  Certainly there are great opportunities around the world, and we encourage our students to chase after those experiences, but the ultimate goal is for them to return and share that experience here in Kyrgzystan.  I think many of our alumni are doing that now, and it grows more evident every year.   I think the youth of this country are the only hope for the future, and when they work together, as Initiation shows, the results can be breathtaking.

  

 

Jenishbek Arzymatov

Senior Program Officer, USAID Kyrgyzstan Parliamentary Strengthening Program

Mr. Arzymatov has worked to build and strengthen the rule of law in Kyrgyzstan. He has worked at top international organizations (USAID, OSCE/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, American Lawyers Association etc). He has a master’s degree in democratic governance and Rule of Law from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law, USA. He is also a trainer in electoral law, legal ethics and on fair trial standards.

 

The concert was alive and interesting, and a credit to the diversity of the students.  I felt the spirit of AUCA in there.  I think it is the result of freedom of thought, which is not common among Kyrgyz youth.  AUCA seems to be a small island of this kind of thinking, and I want to encourage the new freshmen to take advantage of this opportunity and to reach for new heights.  

 

Stanislav Karpovich

Mr. Karpovich is an AUCA Board member, and one of the first alumni of AUCA, graduating in 1997.

 

- Nikolay Shulgin was in full force here, but I still give full marks to the students.  They were real professionals tonight.  All the dancers and singers gave off a real positive energy.  It just goes to show that AUCA students are different.  I'm a little biased because I went to AUCA, but I think it's true that our students think differently, expect success, take on responsibility, and enjoy being decision makers.  I know that many are in a hurry to graduate and make their way, and I'm sure they will, but it is important to soak up moments like these.  The success will come, but the road to success, and the way you walk it, are equally important.   

 

Kregg Halstead

Chief of Party, USAID Kyrgyzstan Parliamentary Strengthening Program

Mr. Halsted has over 15 years of experience in post-soviet countries. He has been working in Kyrgyzstan for more than a year now.

 

- It's great to see the self-confidence of the young people.  Their performance was very professional, and during the show I was thinking to myself that in ten years, when these students start coming into public service resolute, dynamic, and positive, that should be a pretty good show as well.  I wish all the students the persistence to make it through the challenges they will face in the future, and have every confidence that AUCA will help guide them on their way.  

 

Nazgul NASIEVA

Producer, journalist

 

-  I was so impressed because they were not just ordinary students up there.  They were professionals.  I am really impressed with the production of the show as well, and with the creativity of Nikolay Shulgin.  If the students keep this up, I'm sure they will become successful in whatever they set out to do. 

 

Azamat Arykov

Film director

 

- I am used to going to pretty boring concerts with trite speeches and overscripted, tight performaces.  This show bewitched me, and everything from the dancing to the singing to the production was really impressive.  It was awesome, and I'm glad I saw it. 

 

Ali Toktakunov

Journalist, “Azattyk” TV program presenter

 

-  Great!  I really admire the students.  It is really tough to get into AUCA, and I'm impressed that they can study and perform at the same time.  I'm going to carry this feeling with me for the next week.

<< go to news list