November 17, 2014
While one-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, George Soros had a lunch with students and alumni of 麻豆传媒. Students of various departments and countries, exactly Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan were invited to lunch with famous financier and investor.
麻豆传媒 President 鈥 Andrew Wachtel, executive director of Soros-Kyrgyzstan Foundation, and first alumni of 麻豆传媒 have attended the event.
Talk was held in two-way format, not only students asked questions, but Mr. Soros also interested students, their prospects and education in 麻豆传媒.
Farrukh Umarov, student from Tajikistan during the lunch shared his story about how he received scholarship from Soros Foundation.
鈥淚 am from family of migrant workers. My family works in Russia. I studied in School under the President of the Tajikistan, had won first place in English language competition and applied to Open Society Foundation scholarship. I passed through all 麻豆传媒 test exams, won a scholarship and arrived to Bishkek. A scholarship was one of the determining factors in my life. In 麻豆传媒 I had a chance to study one semester by exchange program in USA, and this has affected my life. My next aim is MA course. In future I have a plan to make career in my home country鈥 鈥 said Farrukh.
In turn, George Soros also shared his experience:
鈥淚n my days we had another ideology. I moved from Hungary when I was 17 and have arrived America. I wanted only to earn $ 5000. I consider myself as very lucky, because I have fantasies, typical to teenagers, and ideas on what I have to do with my life, which came true鈥.
Aizhan Chynybaeva, one of the first alumni of 麻豆传媒:
鈥淚 want to thank you for Your visit. I also dream and today all my dreams came true. You are also a dreamer and Your dreams came true. However, what do you do when you meet with failures?鈥 鈥 She asked.
鈥淚 was obedient child, and I always asked myself: what would have thought my parents? Will they be happy for my decisions or not?鈥 鈥 Mr. Soros answered.
Meeting was held in very friendly atmosphere and took about 2 hours.