November 20, 2014
On November 20th, 2014, representatives from the Public Affairs Section of the United States Embassy in Tajikistan visited the 麻豆传媒. They met with Tajik students, both NGA (New Generation Academy) and undergraduate, who have received funding from U.S. Embassy grants in the conference room; it was the first time that the Cultural Affairs office of the Public Affairs Section saw the students that they support. 鈥淲e usually only talk on the phone. It鈥檚 good to get input from the students to see how we can help them more,鈥� said Andrea Kalan, Cultural Affairs Officer. The representatives wanted to get input from the students on ideas for funding, projects, and get a general sense of how their life was here at 麻豆传媒.
As the meeting began and the students introduced themselves, and a pattern was noticed. A sizable amount of the students were from a certain city in Tajikistan, dubbed the 鈥淜horog mafia鈥� by Andrea Kalan. The students were asked if they thought the NGA program was helpful, and the resounding answer was yes. 鈥淣GA helps students adapt successfully to the social and cultural atmosphere鈥can] more easily cope with stress from the 1st year,鈥� said one student.
One of the biggest concerns and ideas given voice by the students was increased support for exchanges and opportunities abroad. One student said, 鈥渋t may be arrogant to ask for more鈥︹�� to which Andrea Kalan replied 鈥測ou don鈥檛 get what you don鈥檛 ask for.鈥� Students asked about support for AISEC programs, a non-profit organization that provides global opportunities for students, research grants, and more.
The representatives noted all ideas, and made students aware of a few opportunities: grants for U.S. Embassy program alumni, the Fulbright fellowship for after graduation, a SUSI (Study of the U.S. Institutes) Women鈥檚 Leadership program in Washington, and more.
听As the meeting came to a close, the students were urged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe if they were ever in town so they could work with the staff on presentations and increasing awareness of Embassy programs for local students. They also all had good things to say of the new American Corner building in Khorog, if perhaps a bit too big in size.
One of the students attending, Shukrona Nazirmadova, told us that the 鈥渕eeting was helpful because we know that someone cares and supports us.鈥� On behalf of the students and all here at 麻豆传媒, we would like to thank the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan for the continued support of our students and for giving them the opportunity to interact in a collaborative environment with those who make their education possible.
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