Anthropology Department Week: Meet Diana Takutdinova, Anth Alumna '12

February 19, 2013

"My name is Diana. I am from Kyrgyzstan. In 2012 I became an Alumni of Anthropology department, and really proud of this. I accepted all awards, frustrations, victories and defeats as a challenge that my university put me through. I went through difficulties and reached not the last but the goal. It is honor to me to be an Alumni of American University of Central Asia. AUCA gave me a lot: friends, knowledge, sense of freedom and belief that everything has value and future.
As I said I have bachelor in Anthropology. During four wonderful years studying Anthropology I had a great experience in different practices. After my freshman year I had an Archaeological excavation of Paleolithic site in Kochkor valley, Naryn, Kyrgyzstan. In my junior year I had an Anthropological research in Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek that was concerned child beggars in Bishkek. For preparing my Senior Thesis I conducted my research in Tatarstan, Kazan. All practices and filed work researches gave a great experience not only in academic field but it helped to understand life itself and deeply understand people’s existence. In 2011 I received Mary Schweitzer Scholarship for Excellence in Anthropology. That award gave me a force to seek further and do not to stop. Thanks to our great professors, Anthropology department became more popular among those who want to become a student of AUCA. Moreover our department restored Anthropology Club that in my opinion is very useful for students and professors and it helps to develop and promulgate anthropology in Kyrgyzstan.

AUCA is my second home for 4 years. Even though I already graduated, I can’t skip any event that Student Affair Office organizes. Annually I participate and help in directing dances in Initiation show, Diversity week and other events. During my academic years I was awarded with Dean’s list in recognition of outstanding extracurricular activities, Dean’s list in recognition of outstanding academic achievements and Student Senate Spring Scholarship 2009 Best Activist. Each award gives something special for developing yourself and you can see what you got and for what you still need to do.
Beside of graduating from AUCA I study at Kyrgyz State Institute of Art and Culture and partially work in choreography sphere. I do not try to plan the future, the way I deserve the same it will be."

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