Scho The JournaloftheOpenSocietyInstitute’s NetworkScholarship Programs The InternetandOpenSociety Essays and creativeworks byNSP granteesand alumni lar Regional Focus:RUSSIA Forum Personal accountsofstudyingabroad NSP alumni—where are theynow? Number 8 . Fall 2003
Novosibirsk Bridge, Russia photo: Eugenia JEITZ ScholarForum The Journal of the Contents Open Society Institute’s Network Scholarship Programs 13 The Internet and Open Society 10 Regional Focus: RUSSIA Winter 2004 . Number 8 16 Personal Accounts of Studying Abroad Editorial Committee: 22 NSP Alumni: Where are they Now? Martha LOERKE, Alex IRWIN, Anne CAMPBELL, Lesha GREEN, Céline KESHISHIAN, Adam MEAGHER, Ingrida PLATAIS, Elsa RANSOM, Open Society and the Internet Phillip WATKINS According to Global Reach (http://www.glreach.com/globstats/), approximately 937 Co-editors: Céline KESHISHIAN, million people will be connected to the Internet in 2004. With its amazing popularity, the Anne CAMPBELL Internet has brought about significant change in the way we communicate, share informa- Designer: Samuel BUGGELN tion, and understand the world. It has also had a tremendous impact on the spread of ideas Scholar Forum is published twice a year and the building of open societies. by the Open Society Institute’s Network This is why we chose to focus on the Internet and Open Society for the eighth issue of Scholarship Programs. Scholar Forum is the Network Scholarship Program’s Scholar Forum. From the large number of (electronic) distributed to current and former schol- submissions for this topic, it is clear that the Internet has a great impact on how we share arship recipients, host institutions, and information and communicate in our current reality. To emphasize this point, we have list- educational professionals. ed as many email addresses and Internet sites as possible throughout the publication. Please feel free to visit these websites and send a message to the authors, who have agreed to share OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE their addresses. As the World Wide Web is becoming a greater center for information exchange, OSI NEW YORK is actively participating by using the Internet as a center for information sharing and dis- Chairman: George SOROS cussion. In November 2003, OSI launched its new website at www.soros.org. This and pre- vious issues of Scholar Forum can be found on this site. President: Aryeh NEIER The regional focus for this issue is Russia. Composed of almost 17,000,000 square kilo- 400 West 59th Street meters (slightly more than 1.8 times the size of the United States), Russia is an expanse of New York, NY 10019 USA many different regions, cultures, and perspectives. The submissions from NSP fellows from Tel: 212-548-0600 Russia give you a brief overview of the great variance in this large country. Fax: 212-548-4679 www.soros.org As with every issue, the personal accounts section is a place for fellows to share their experiences while living and traveling abroad and to describe their daily activities. Following this section, you will find a section listing NSP alumni updates. We have includ- NETWORK SCHOLARSHIP ed information about alumni reunions and alumni groups. Peruse these listings from your PROGRAMS former colleagues, and feel welcome to write these people if you would like to learn more Director: Martha LOERKE about what they’re doing. On the back inside cover you will find information about our topic for the next NSP NEW YORK Scholar Forum, The Struggle for Democracy: Activism and Leadership in Network Deputy Director: Alex IRWIN Scholarship Program Countries. We welcome submissions by our readers, and hope that you will be encouraged to share information about related current events in your countries. 400 West 59th Street New York, NY 10019 Please send your articles or comments to [email protected]. Tel: 212-548-0175 Fax: 212-548-4652 email: [email protected] The Open Society Institute’s institutions in the countries served; tions and organizations active in more Network Scholarship Programs fund and to assist outstanding students than 50 countries worldwide that BUDAPEST the participation of students, scholars, from a range of backgrounds to pur- supports a range of programs. and professionals from Eastern and sue their studies in alternative acade- Established in 1993 by investor and Deputy Director: Audrone UZIELIENE Central Europe, the former Soviet mic and cultural environments. philanthropist George Soros, OSI is Oktober 6, ut. 12 Union, Mongolia, and Burma in rigor- The Open Society Institute (OSI) is based in New York City and operates ous, competitive academic programs a private operating and grantmaking network-wide programs, grantmak- H-1010 Budapest outside of their home countries. The foundation that develops and imple- ing activities in the United States, and Hungary goals of these programs are: to revi- ments a range of programs in civil other international initiatives. OSI Tel: (361) 327-3100 talize and reform the teaching of the society, education, media, public provides support and assistance to social sciences and humanities at health and human and women’s Soros foundations in Central and Fax: (361) 327-3120 higher education institutions; to pro- rights, as well as social, legal, and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet email: [email protected] vide professional training in fields economic reform. OSI is at the center Union, Guatemala, Haiti, Mongolia, unavailable or underrepresented at of an informal network of founda- South, Southern and West Africa. www.soros.org/initiatives/scholarship The Internet and Open Society The role of the Internet in an open society has been an evolving dialogue over the past decade. Electronic mail has been in existence for over fifty years, and its impact on democracies is still unclear to most. Will communication via the World Wide Web make the world smaller and bring people together? What is the effect of connecting a student from a village in China to a teacher in London? Will gov- ernments feel threatened by the freedoms within reach of their people via thick cables, thereby creating laws prohibiting the dissemination of information? Is the Net providing people of all ages and ethnicities an opportuni- ty to develop intellectually so that they may compete in the global arena, or is it creating a high speed disparity called the “digital divide”? (Even the editors of this jour- nal have struggled with the idea of publishing an online journal to be viewed by readers. However, issues of access to all regions of the world would limit the scope of our audience.) The following authors express some of these concerns as they investigate the benefits and shortcomings of the Digital Age. They view the Internet as a tool for open societies, with trepidation for its potential harm. The dia- logue about the benefits of the Internet verses equality may continue for another 50 years or so before its total impact on democratic nations is clear. In the meantime, the hope is that leaders and citizens will act responsibly by utilizing the Internet as a means to improve civil societies. The World Wide Web and Elections: A Cure and a Poison? Of particular interest is the Internet’s date, or will do the opposite. potential in election campaigns and its The latter alternative should not Alexey TIKHOMIROV, Russia advantages and disadvantages with respect necessarily concern a candidate. Even Edmund S. Muskie/FREEDOM to a candidate’s re-election or first time run. negative public feedback regarding polit- Support Act Fellowship Program, 2002 A website, as a part of an election ical doctrine featured on a candidate’s State University of New York, campaign, is effective when a candidate website can be beneficial for the candi- Binghamton already has an established political capi- date. Why? First, if the website is func- [email protected] tal, part of which is the public’s aware- tioning properly and is easy to navigate, The hyper-dynamic development of ness of a candidate’s political values and the resources allocated to the web project telecommunications in the last two the public’s attitudes toward the politi- will have been invested effectively. decades has raised many issues regarding cian. These perceptions are based on the Second, a candidate who has stimulated what socio-cultural changes the world is public’s negative/positive awareness of voters to visit his website indicates that facing after being exposed to one of the these values. The existence of a con- he is popular enough to make a con- greatest inventions since the wheel: the stituent’s positive or negative impressions stituent interested in learning more Internet. Although final justification of the about the politician may itself be enough about him. Third, constituents are com- Internet’s impacts on societal processes are to provoke an intention of accessing the municating—they are in the “open” posi- a matter of future studies, some of the very candidate’s website. Thus, a constituent tion with a candidate, indicating that general tendencies can be considered now. will either support and vote for his candi- although they may not share the opin-
ScholarForum 3 ions and beliefs of the voting preferences are not only an ultimate result of what a candi- candidate, they are still date verbalizes, but also how. dialoguing about their Consequently, one of the reasons for a constituent’s contra disagreements. The latter voting decision may be a result of an unsatisfied need in a nonver- is definitely more con- bal context of a website’s verbal information. It may seem a para- structive than maintain- dox, but the voting decision is based not just on what a constituent ing silent disagreement. knows about the candidate from his or her website, but predomi- Because of their commu- nantly on non-verbal information, which physically cannot be pro- nicative openness, out- vided by the website. Sharing the same political values has noth- spoken critics have a ing to do with trusting a candidate personally. A constituent has no potential for their views feelings of personal connection before downloading and studying a to be changed when candidate, nor does he after. What may be good for re-election involved in an interac- campaigns in terms of effectiveness of election websites may bring tive dialogue with a can- no positive results for the first time candidates who prioritize virtu- didate. al communication as a voter confidence-building strategy. Yet, a website will be of most interest to a con- Examples of re-election websites: stituent, when he or she U.S. President George W. Bush: has mature knowledge http://www.georgewbush.com/ about a candidate and his U.S. Senator Hillary R. Clinton (New York - D): political doctrine. In http://www.friendsofhillary.com most cases these kinds of Reference: candidates are politicians Putnam, Robert. 2000. Bowling Alone. New York: Simon & who run for re-election. Shuster, Inc. In the U.S., an elec- tion campaign is a costly event. Senator Hillary Clinton’s 2000 campaign spending was nearly $29 million, and Digital Divide: her opponent, Republican Rick Lazio, spent $39.6 million. In The Question of Access many cases first-time candidates cannot afford to campaign wide- ly on television and make a decision to prioritize a “virtual com- George TUDORIE , Romania munication” with the constituents investing a significant amount Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2001 of their funds in the website. What are their chances to succeed? New York University Although pointing out that “the high speed, low cost, and [email protected] broad scope of mobilization that is possible on the Internet can be The involuntary exclusion from the Internet is called the digital divide. an advantage for political organizers, by reducing transaction —Rafael Capurro costs,” Robert Putnam raises a valuable argument that the men- We have entered this century surrounded by endless debates about how the Internet explosion will change our lives. The tone of these discussions ranged—still does—from the apocalyp- “Virtual communication tic matrix-type scenario to the perfect world prophecy. Nothing new up to this point, every important change brings about its “can hardly substitute own waves of utopia and dystopia, hope and fear. Radio and TV caused hope and anxiety in their time. Rationally, one should be “face-to-face interaction.” more open to positions that have informative rather than evalu- ative content. Globally speaking, the Internet became a major phenome- tioned advantages of the Internet have significant non-material non in the mid-nineties; its rapid development being sometimes costs that potentially may cause a decline of a political career of a correlated with the remaking of the geopolitical map at the “freshman” candidate (Putnam 2000, p. 173). beginning of the decade. Both phenomena, it was argued, were Virtual communication can hardly substitute face-to-face among the signs of a coming quasi-hegelian “end of history”, a interaction. A constituent needs information to form voting prefer- new world order based on the fundamental principles of liberty ences. To satisfy this need, a constituent requires something more and democracy. than verbal communication can suggest. Virtual communication The Internet grew to the present point where it may be minimizes a nonverbal communication layer, disputing a fact that thought of as a parallel global social structure. It is not the only global social structure, but it is the most We were born in mass-media soci- tain some degree of access. In political important in the sense that it is the most eties, that is, in top-down pyramidal terms, they do not have a vote. inclusive. The fact is Internet has information structures dominated by Even the marketing slogans of the become not only a parallel social struc- what Flusser called “discursive media”. Internet companies promote the dialogi- ture, with its own virtual communities, (Information) markets were, consequent- cal identity of the Internet. Ethically, this email services or e-museums, but also, ly, “discursive” markets. Few had the is what we should try to preserve. In other and this should be more often empha- (legitimate, trust-worthy) resources, and words, we should try to promote fair and sized, a parallel market. they set Why is this important? One simple the way to put it is that the relation between price, Internet society and Internet market is ergo the “To have access is not only to” not at all similar to the classical relation access. between local, regional, national, conti- Markets be able to receive information,” nental, and supranational communities were— and their corresponding markets. To be hopeful- but also to be represented” sure, there is a fair amount of other ly—reg- points that could be made trying to relate ulated to leave some space for minor free Internet access within the framework the Internet and society. Nonetheless, players, outsiders, and consumers. Things of the harm and “minmax” principles: this one seems to be, in my view, the have changed. Even if the Internet minimize harm, maximize freedom. most important. What kind of market begins to have some pyramidal compo- Freedom of access is the Internet equiva- the Internet will become is a question nents (remember the AOL–Time Warner lent of freedom of speech and press, but that could tell us something about the merger), it is essentially a “dialogical” also of antimonopoly laws. kind of society the Internet will promote (Flusser) bottom-up network. Discursive world-wide. structures control and distribute (sell) Traditional media, such as TV, are information; dialogical structures create, powerful marketing tools and even if the exchange, and share information. Internet is already used as such a tool, I said access is systemic rather than Information Society in this trend is not (yet) fundamental. The individual. To have a computer and a Post-communist global network does not come attached modem is not enough. We also need to an existing market, rather it intersects measures that will promote linguistic, Countries? and sometimes overlaps with (segments cultural, national, and religious equity. An Economic Approach of) existing markets. Despite this over- To have access is not only to be able to lap, the Internet remains different. receive information, but also to be repre- Marcin PIATKOWSKI, Poland Traditional markets, even when they sented, to have the possibility of becom- Undergraduate Exchange Program, 1997 have virtual components, are concerned ing a source, an active producer rather Roosevelt University [email protected] www.tiger.edu.pl “Freedom of access is the Internet The information technology (IT) revolution, which spurred the develop- “equivalent of freedom of speech.” ment of an information society is poised like all previous industrial revolutions, to change the way of doing business on a with setting prices. The Internet is less than a passive distributor or consumer. global scale and thus contribute to faster about prices and more about access, We are very far from this goal, even if the productivity and economic growth. because Internet access is not, as one Internet is still, due more to its structural The IT revolution, embodied in would think, directly and simply con- features and less to our wisdom, democra- information and communication tech- nected with cost. tic. We are very far not only, for example, nologies (ICT), made a substantial Access is commonly understood in because those that cannot read, write, or impact on the standard of living in a terms of an agent’s capacity to use specif- speak English have minimum access to number of countries in the 1990s, partic- ic resources, in other words affordability Internet resources, but also because—and ularly the U.S.and in the EU. This led to and availability would be the key features this is as sad as it is not surprising—most the emergence of the notion of a “new of access. It would be a mistake, however, people in the world do not have access to economy,” which projected extraordinary to simplify things this way and to miss the a computer. They do not even have a rates of growth in human wealth in the fact that access is a systemic dimension. compensatory “black market” to main- foreseeable future. The stock market
ScholarForum 5 crash and collapse of the dotcom bubble, however, dashed all of communist economies. Internet and telecommunication tech- these illusions. Nonetheless, despite the current slowdown cou- nologies nevertheless represent a significant potential for transi- pled with some pessimism, the IT revolution is still active. More tion countries to attain long-term, sustained, and fast socio-eco- nomic development and ultimate- ly to catch up with developed “A sufficient institutional and economic countries. However, benefiting from this potential is not automat- “infrastructure must exist before post- ic: a sufficient institutional and economic infrastructure must exist “communist countries can tap into the before post-communist countries can tap into the benefits of the “benefits of the information society.” information society. An information society and a knowledge-based economy will time is needed for the benefits of ICT to fully feed through to the not develop without high quality regulations and contract global economy. enforcement, good infrastructure, open borders to trade, devel- Unfortunately, the IT revolution has not yet had a major oped financial markets, high quality of human capital and infor- economic impact on less developed countries, including post- mation society skills, flexible labor markets, suitable conditions for entrepreneurship, macroeconomic stability, and—last but not least—a growing command of the English language. Democracy, freedom of opinion, and strong civic involvement [email protected] are also indispensable ingredients of development in the modern Anna WITESKA, Poland world. Appropriate policies thus need to be espoused in order to Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2000 build institutions and enact rules that will spur the development Roosevelt University of the information society. It will not happen on its own! [email protected] After almost fourteen years of transformation, post-commu- the net that connects millions. the net that has nist countries are quite distinct in their development paths. The brought to life a different kind of reality. a different speeds of adoption of the IT revolution, resulting from social space driven by audio-visual culture. an the different quality of policies and institutions of the various asylum. a momentary illusion that we are not liv- countries, are likely to contribute to diverging rates of economic ing through our first and last world. that reali- growth and thus add to the growing income polarization among ties are multiple and can be created. to escape from mortality into inter into net into matrix post-communist economies. The most advanced countries (front-
How to “Meet” a Guy Online site. He told me he couldn't walk after he with stories about himself and his acci- was hit by a bus when riding his bicycle, dent and a big photo gallery. Vlady told Vera PETKANTCHIN, Bulgaria and now he was in a wheelchair. He me that he had to find a proper occupa- Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2003 asked if I still wanted to play with him. It tion through which he could make his University of Vermont was a little bit like a cold shower in the living because he didn’t wish to burden The Internet connected us and oth- first moment, but then I thought it would his family. He chose to stud Computer erwise we would have never known each be interesting. After all, maybe not too Technologies at the Technical University other. To me the fact that the Web is many people wanted to do this, so if I of Sofia and his web-site—an interesting already capable of changing the course of could be of little help to somebody, that place to visit at www.vladi-g.bulhosting.com— people's personal lives makes it an astonishing technical revo- lution. Its positive impact is yet “The fact that the Web is already” to be revealed to us. O.K., the name of the boy is Vlady. I didn't meet him in capable of changing the course of lives” one of the countless date-match sites. I was reviewing the new makes it an astonishing revolution.” topics in the tennis forum that I visit regularly and there was an advertise- would make me happy. ment by a guy who wanted to find a part- Some months passed before we could ner for playing tennis. He had given his meet in person and play tennis, but dur- ICQ number and the address of his per- ing that time I got to know him through sonal web page. I left a message on his the Internet and a few telephone conver- ICQ that I would be glad to play with sations. I thoroughly reviewed his web- him. After a few days we caught each site—it is a well-crafted page containing other online and he said: “Are you still both a Bulgarian and English section— sure you want to play with me?” I answered: “Of course, why not.” He UEP Alumni online at wrote that probably I hadn't visited his Alumni conference (see p. 22)
ScholarForum 7 is a part of his efforts to thrive despite his inevitably flew off to the dark side of the disability. moon. The cinema we had visited is the Vlady never displayed any self-pity only one in Sofia designed so that for what had happened to him, never wheelchair-bound people can come and blamed anybody (God, or fate, or what- see movies like every other person does. ever). He was always in good humor and If Vlady didn’t have a car, there was no teeming with positive attitude towards way he could reach this cinema on his everything. One day we went to play. I own because of the total lack of care for saw an excitement in him that you rarely disabled people in the system of public see in professional players in perfect transport. Practically no buses, no public physical condition. It was as if he had toilets, no lowered sidewalks—access is learned to value the things that others denied to them everywhere. take for granted because they weren’t I searched for, but didn't find, in robbed by bad luck. There was no desper- Vlady a stubborn refusal to accept this ation, but a strong will and ambition. reality. There was no revolt, just a pur- Vlady’s website “It was as if he had learned to value “what others take for granted.” Vlady is now training every day Maybe it was the spirit of the sportsman suit to find a way to fit into things as they with a professional coach and next week in him, I don't know. I was happy. are now. He is trying to build a bridge and is going to a tournament in Romania, That same day he invited me to go is hoping that the people on the other and then to one in Austria. Even if he to the cinema in the evening. We had a side of the barrier are ready to stretch doesn't win all his matches, he has wonderful time, but as he was driving me their hands through the hole he has already won important points in his per- back home, my thoughts finally and cracked in the wall. sonal battle.
Dependency on the Internet email. However, if I am not to search for all kinds of explana- Alexandru BALAS, Romania tions and accept the truth, I have to admit that for the last 3-4 Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2002 years since I started to use the Internet, I have become more and University of Vermont more dependent on it. While I could not access my email I traveled this past week to Poland for a seminar. It was a dif- account, I started wondering what would happen if this would ficult trip, 40 hours by train, but not because of the length of my last forever. What if I lost my access to all the information that stay in an uncomfortable position in the train, or the fact that I had to change 3 trains to get from Bucharest to Sopot. The main reason was that for all this period, I “What if I lost my access to all the” was not able to check my email and read the news online. The first thing that I did after information that I use every day?” my arrival in Sopot, the place of this event, a nice summer resort at the Baltic Sea, was to look for an Internet I use everyday, the emails of many of my friends, and access to Café to check my email. Unfortunately, for 2 days I was unable to other vital information that I keep online? Now imagine if, from open my Yahoo account for some reason. I felt lost. No email tomorrow, we could not use the Internet anymore. It would dis- access for 4 days is more, much more, than I can take. appear; it would not work anymore forever... I find this scenario Maybe I was so frustrated because I was expecting some to be a very, very scary one. Electronic Identity Agne JANKAUSKAITE, Lithuania “My address is neither Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2000 Westminster College “Lithuania nor Europe, my When I think of the Internet, the first thing that comes to my mind is email.“address is yahoo dot com.” Electronic mail is probably the most wide- ly used resource on the Internet. Who wouldn’t like to have an address forever? Not long ago the Soviet people used to sing “my address is neither a house nor a Includes articles, publications, and links to street, my address is the Soviet Union.” I worldwide in non-governmental bodies would paraphrase these words “my address topics related to technology and access, literacy, economics, peace, and the UN. that are setting Internet policy and to is neither Lithuania nor Europe, my advocate that these bodies adhere to prin- address is yahoo dot com.” Gen Tech ciples of open participation, public http://www.shecan.com/ accountability and human rights. Gender equity and the internet. Includes Internet Society links to publications and other sites. http://www.isoc.org Global Internet Policy Initiative The Internet Society (ISOC) is a profes- http://www.internetpolicy.net/ sional membership society with more than The Global Internet Policy Initiative sup- 150 organization and 16,000 individual Internet and ports adoption in developing countries of members in over 180 countries. It pro- the legal and policy framework for an open vides leadership in addressing issues that Open Society and democratic Internet. The project works confront the future of the Internet, and is with local stakeholders in consultative, the organization home for the groups coalition-based efforts to promote the prin- responsible for Internet infrastructure Related Websites ciples of a decentralized, accessible, user- standards, including the Internet controlled, and market-driven Internet. Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the The Berkman Center Internet Architecture Board (IAB). http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/home/mission IDEA Focuses on issues concerning the Internet http://www.idea.int/index.htm The Open Society Institute and the law. IDEA, an intergovernmental organization http://www.soros.org/internet/ with member states across all continents, Articles focusing on the digital age and its Center for Democracy and Technology seeks to support sustainable democracy in impact in various regions in the world. http://www.cdt.org/international/ both new and long-established democra- Public Broadcasting System The International Issues section hosts a cies. IDEA draws on comparative experi- http://www.pbs.org/digitaldivide/ range links to current international policies ence, analyses democracy trends and themes.html related to topics, such as freedom of assistance, and develops policy options, expression, cybercrime, adoption of laws, tools and guidelines. An American perspective on the digital and access to all. Also includes facts and divide between citizens and the work- figures per country. Includes the follow- Institute for Politics Democracy and the place, schools, gender, and race. ing publication on-line: Bridging the Internet Techknowlogia Digital Divide: Internet Access in Central http://democracyonline.org/ The International Journal of Technologies and Eastern Europe Publishes on-line works about politics, for the Advancement of Knowledge and http://www.cdt.org/international/ elections, and journalism and the internet, Learning ceeaccess/index.shtml . with mostly an American perspective. http://www.techknowlogia.org/ Derechos Human Rights International Education and Resource Includes peer reviewed articles relating to http://www.derechos.org/ Network education, distance learning, and access, Derechos Human Rights (noted as being http://www.iearn.org/ among other topics. the first internet based Human Rights An on-line resource for teachers and stu- World Movement for Democracy Organization) is international organization dents which links classrooms and provides http://www.wmd.org working for the respect and promotion of curriculum. The World Movement for Democracy is a human rights all over the world. Internet Democracy Project global network of democrats, including The Digital Divide Network http://www.internetdemocracyproject.org activists, practitioners, academics, policy mak- http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/ The Internet Democracy Project seeks to ers, and funders, who have come together to content/sections/index.cfm enhance the participation of Internet users cooperate in the promotion of democracy.
ScholarForum 9 Regional Focus: RUSSIA Stretching across two continents and eleven time zones, the Russian Federation covers more land area than any other nation on Earth—an area larger than the United States and all of Europe combined. From Kaliningrad in the west to Vladivostok in the east, it shares land borders with 14 other countries and encompasses an array of climate zones almost as wide as the planet itself—from frozen arctic tundra, to sunny steppe, to dense mountain forests. Russia’s history as a state is just as vast, stretching back over a millennium and including periods of imperial expan- sion, foreign invasion, artistic ferment, and social upheaval. Its celebrated artistic lineage has given the world such legendary names as Chekhov and Dostoevsky, Akhmatova and Tchaikovsky, but Russia has also kept some treasures—its folk tales, bard singers, and a richly ironic brand of humor—mostly for itself. In this section, a pair of authors— one native, one foreign—share fond memories of ordinary moments in this extraordinary country, while others describe Russia’s immense human and nat- ural resources that have yet to be fully utilized. These accounts all pay tribute to a land—enormous in size, character, and potential—that remains something of a mystery even as it dazzles.
Buying Bread for Babushka they soon got over that. And so it was that twice a week I would Adam MEAGHER don a suit, take a bus deep into the heart of the Eleventh Program Coordinator Microregion, and attempt to teach a bunch of restless 13 year- Network Scholarship Programs olds (and, in truth, Marina) the difference between the present Open Society Institute-New York perfect and past simple verb tenses. [email protected] One day, during a break between lessons, I decided to ven- As part of my Peace Corps training, I was a student-teacher ture out to the local produkti to buy cookies and such for tea in an ordinary shkola in Zelenograd, a satellite town near with the school’s foreign language teachers. Finding it closed for Moscow where all the new volunteers were studying Russian, remont (Russian words were already seeping into my regular living with local families, and learning to cope with life in the English vocabulary, à la A Clockwork Orange), I went looking land of Pushkin, Lenin, and Alla Pugachova. The English for another shop. I followed a muddy path through the woods to teacher who had invited me into her classroom, Marina, con- the shop, which sat on a patch of cracked asphalt surrounded by ducted her lessons in short skirts and knee-high leather boots birch and pine. An old woman in a woolly sweater, stooped with lethal heels, and this startled me. But she was extremely with age and wearing several interwoven head scarves, was welcoming and patient with me, her mostly-clueless charge, and standing by the steps leading up to the entrance. As I hurried her students were excited to have a real, live American as their past, she shouted, “Molodoi chelevyek! Idti syuda pozhalusta!” I teacher—though like middle school students the world over, turned around; she beckoned me back down the stairs and start- babushka didn’t really seem upset. “No khorosho, vsyo!” she said briskly and tottered off, leaving me standing there. It started to drizzle. It was then that I realized that I’d forgotten to buy the things I’d come for. That afternoon, as I climbed onto the bus with dozens of laughing schoolchild- ren, I ran into Artyom, a boy from one of Marina’s class- es. He was a good kid, and we’d chatted about soccer after I told him I liked his Adam MEAGHER with students in Volgograd Bayern Munich pen- cil case. I was extra nervous about my Russian around kids, ed talking. My Russian was pretty infan- wasn’t even sure if she realized that I and since school was out, I couldn’t tile at that point, especially under pres- wasn’t Russian! Dazed by this last very well expect him to speak sure, but I quickly got the drift: She was thought, I ordered her food from the English—a stretch for him even in giving me her shopping list. In retro- bored dyevushka behind the counter and class, under Marina’s demanding eye. spect, I assume that she was having trou- prepared to face my taskmaster. So I stood there feeling awkward in ble getting up the steps, but I don’t think “What took you so long?” she asked my silence as the crush of people she actually told me so; the closest I got as I emerged from the shop. “I think this around us grew to impossible densi- to an explanation was something about is everything,” I mumbled, handing her ties. Soon Artyom and I were shoved how the overcast weather was making the bags. She examined the goods, and up against each other as the last pas- her legs hurt. “I’ll wait here,” she upon seeing the bread—in an attempt to senger pushed her way in and the bus announced, handing me a plastic bag with “Scotch Whiskey” “This woman survived the Great Patriotic” emblazoned on both sides over tartan. “Go on, now. It’s cold out War and lives on fifty dollars a month, and” here.” I played along I just got her the wrong kind of bread.” like a good citizen, but when I got inside the shop I froze in cover all my bases, I’d chosen a regular lurched forward. Grinning, Artyom panic. I knew for sure that she wanted loaf of black bread as well as a French- twisted around to catch my eye. milk, half a kilo of potatoes, sour cream, style baton—she burst into thick, speedy When he had it, he declared in a and bread. Naturally, bread. But what Russian that I couldn’t follow. I’d obvi- slow singsong, “Eta Rossiya.” We kind? This seemed really important, ously screwed up, and I felt terrible. This laughed and laughed. His voice was since she had gone into great detail woman survived the Great Patriotic War warm and disarming, and hearing it, describing the bread, and most of this and lives on fifty dollars a month, I I understood. It was the first time had gone right over my head. I consid- thought, and I just got her the wrong that I grasped the meaning of ered going outside to ask her, but kind of bread. (Several days later, in Russian speech and heard its intrin- thought the better of it—I didn’t want to Russian class, I learned that krugliy sic music at the same time, as one let her know that I hadn’t understood. I means “round.”) I tried to apologize, but beautiful thing.
ScholarForum 11 Russia in International to suggest the contribution by Education Markets Muskie/FSA alumni to this community. To gather further thoughts on this sub- Ildus NURGALIEV, Ph.D., Russia ject, I am initiating a forum on my site Edmund S. Muskie/FREEDOM www.nurgaliev.com: “What can American Support Act Fellowship Program, 1995 university alumni recommend to Russia Boston University regarding education reform and study [email protected] abroad programs?” www.harmony-group.org As far as priorities in Russian gov- Russian international education pol- ernmental international education poli- icy has contrasted with the prominent cy, I would recommend that Russia: international education agendas of the • Expand traditional markets in Africa, American, British, Canadian and Asia and Latin America on market Australian governments in the last based principles, offering high quali- decades. Russia is lagging in the interna- ty/price ratio education; tional education competition, and it can- • Build new brands of study abroad and not blame such things as Russian eco- academic exchange programs in nomic reforms. Russia should identify the Russia, especially in the fields in which education sector as a competitive asset Russian schools have traditionally and advantage, in the form of a well- been strong; established education system with its • Establish a public board of experts— own traditions. including the graduates of foreign uni- The U.S. could be, potentially, versities—to analyze modern tenden- Russia’s best partner. Yet the United cies in the education system and to States’ new visa polices are a real bottle- work out independent recommenda- neck for traveling students, which has tions for the Ministry of Education and been highly commented on in Russian The Motherland (Rodina) statue, center- the government; media. (While I am composing these piece of the Battle of Stalingrad memorial •Offer a tax cut for Russian funds invest- lines, the TV is again reporting the complex at Mamaev Kurgan in Volgograd ing in international education; and photo: Adam MEAGHER tightening of U.S. visa regulations in • Use public funds, philanthropic contradiction to the recently signed and resources, and private funds to sponsor cheerfully declared agreement between field, natural sciences, could be a strong international education. Bush and Putin on easing visa regula- area for Russia in the international edu- At a time like this—when my televi- tions.) Though U.S. campuses still cation market. American schools could sion just reported that the Bush adminis- attract international undergraduate and be enriched by incorporating Russian tration approved a $30 million payment graduate students, the competition in methods of teaching subjects such as to the informant who led to Saddam the international education market- physics and mathematics. Likewise, Hussein's two sons—a fragment from place is growing and the trend is not in Russians would benefit through educa- Senator J. William Fulbright is more than favor of America. Ultimately, with frus- tional exchanges with other countries relevant. “Educational exchange can turn nations into peo- ple, contributing as no “Russia should identify the education sector other form of commu- nication can to the “as a competitive asset and advantage.” humanizing of interna- tional relations. Man's capacity for decent trating visa refusals, most commercial learning from them market economy and behavior seems to vary directly with his sectors of education—the one combin- principles of western democracy. perception of others as individual ing leisure and sightseeing such as ESL In order to strengthen Russian pro- humans with human motives and feel- programs—may exclude America from grams, graduates of U.S. Government- ings, whereas his capacity for barbarism their portfolio entirely. sponsored programs—like myself—are an seems related to his perception of an With this trend in international underestimated asset for governmental adversary in abstract terms, as the education, Russia may have an opportu- consulting and for promoting study embodiment, that is, of some evil design nity to strengthen its programs. One abroad programs in schools. I would like or ideology.” The Russian in the regions is not surprising. These special treatments, looking at the same numbers prove that in other regions, time for new oil-fields and coal-fields.” “Province”: Siberia including Siberia, financing is insuffi- Siberia will be much better off if it Today cient. In addition to potential, which implements new scientific technologies Siberia has, development demands a and can thus offer the international oil Eugenia JEITZ, Russia good material base to engage this poten- market better quality (and higher- Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2000 tial and make it work. priced) natural products. Siberia also Slippery Rock University Even with the low level of financ- needs to concentrate on selling its nat- [email protected] ing outside of Moscow, Siberian indus- ural resources domestically. By securing I was born and live in Siberia—in trial production is 10-11% of industrial the domestic oil market, the producers the city of Novosibirsk, known for its production in the whole of Russia, and of oil and gas will not be forced to heavy frosts and temperatures that it is constantly growing (between 10 - depend on the constraints of the inter- sometimes get to negative 40-50 °C in 11% per year). The economic growth of national market. winter. Siberia has always been and will Siberia is better than the average In spite of poor financing and a lack be my home no matter where I live and growth in Russia (106.3% in Russia as a of economic independence, Siberia is whole and 108.4 % in developing. Living in Novosibirsk, the Siberia). [Sources: Ministry major city of western Siberia, I notice “Siberia has always been of Economic Development these changes constantly. After being and Trade in the Russian away for a year in 2000-2001, I didn’t rec- “and will be my home.” Federation, Novosibirsk ognize my city, as so many changes had Regional Committee of occurred. The middle class is growing, State Statistics] The the restaurant and construction indus- work, and its problems, those of the goal that Russia has now—to double tries are developing, we have interna- largest region in Russia, are really GDP in the next year—can become a tional art festivals, and Siberian compa- important to me. reality if Siberia becomes economically nies are making more international con- When you come to Moscow and independent and takes on a leadership nections. mention that you are originally from role in state-wide development. I am only hoping that these Siberia, you confront the mentality of Economic independence will help changes will continue and expand, and the Russian capital inhabitant: “Well, Siberia implement the findings of that the relationships Siberian compa- Siberia, it’s wild, it’s dirty, it’s poor, it’s Siberian scientists in Russian (and nies have developed with their interna- far away, I don’t even know where it is.” specifically Siberian) industry. tional counterparts will be mutually To be frank—it is quite far away, a Currently Siberian institutes are forced beneficial in both the short- and long- four-hour flight from Moscow to to sell new technologies to Japan, term. I conclude with the saying of Novosibirsk, it’s not that financially sta- China, Germany, and USA in order to world-renowned scientist Mikhail ble, and we have bad roads and low incomes. However, we also have great scientific potential and an immense amount of natural resources: oil, gas, “Why is it that this region, which” large areas of forests. Many economic analysts are convinced that Siberia has could lead Russian development,“ more potential than the European part of Russia to be the leading region to has financial problems and cannot” help the country develop. So why is it that this region, which could lead manage to help the country?” Russian development, has financial problems and cannot manage to help the country? Let me mention just two exist. It is not efficient to develop only Lomonosov: “Russian might will important points. the natural resources sector, or to sell increase by Siberia.” We all know and Redistribution of financing: Each these natural resources in their raw hope that Siberia will not be ignored, region has its own budget, defined by the form, as Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the for- but given what it takes to make positive federal government. Since the majority mer chair of the energy company Yukos, changes—not only for European Russia, of capital is located in the Moscow supports: “We will sell what we have but also for the provinces that feed the region (different sources note between now, technology develops fast and in 10 Russian economy and don’t get enough 80-95%), the low level of development years we’ll be able to sell the rest with of the credit for their work.
ScholarForum 13 Easter in Russia a covey of silent, fussy shadows glued to it—it’s Easter. A stream flows in and out of the church, all whispers and shuffling of boots Lidia LOUKINYKH, Russia and coats. Feeble candle lights dance in circles around the Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2001 porch. Mine is dancing too, in the wind, in my hand, in my eyes. University of Montana Ten more minutes, and bells will ring and the religious proces- [email protected] sion will start. Just ten minutes to stand there close to people Feeling in the dark for the key on the shelf and quietly slip- with lit-up eyes, feeling the warmth of their breath, hardly cop- ping out the door. It’s almost midnight. Click-click of the front ing with the rush of thoughts through my head. All my nears and dears, the ones I pray for, even the dreams “Crowds and crowds of people are blowing that excite my mind and soul -everything is “out candles, drinking in the streets, there right now, in that small, bright, pointed “jumping into their cars and driving off.“ flame, so scalding and so fragile. Ding-dong, start the bells. Ding- gate, and the huge apartment block is behind me. The piercing dong, in the air, in the eyes, in my heart, in the whole world for wind thrills me. The city is chilly inside and out: it’s minus 4 °C me and for these people. We let the clergy pass and follow them on April 26. Turn the corner, and there’s the old church. It has around the church, stumbling in the dark, but quiet and desper- survived all the changes and transitions and now solemnly ately trying to protect the candle flames. Ding-dong, and a stands out among the herd of modern buildings. Tonight there’s shoulder touches mine. Ding-dong, it’s been a long history of marching in order, in the dark, next to strangers with lit-up faces and clenched lips. We are back in front of the porch. Happy Easter, seven times! Happy Easter, a hundred times, before shad- ows start walking out—out of the church gate and into the supermarket. Crowds and crowds of people are blowing out can- dles, drinking in the streets, jumping into their cars and driving off to a party, shopping, or eating next to the church porch. I walk back home. I’m relieved and weary, smiling and bitter; still, I love this country.
A View from the Other Side Inna SEVASTIANOVA, Russia Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2000 Bard College The most common image of Russia is based on traits of its European territory and on its ever-strengthening ties with Europe and America. Russia’s borders, however, stretch eastward to a place that once actually considered building a bridge to Japan. Our Russian Far East, although a part of Russia, is east even of Siberia. Due to our location in the Asia-Pacific region, we have a very different world view. Our region is home to two- thirds of the world’s population and two out of three main glob- al power centers (North America and Eastern Asia). These two factors make cooperation inevitable between the Russian Far East and Northeast Asia, since such coopera- tion is key for our eventual inclusion in the world political
The Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow photo: Adam MEAGHER Rollins College and their professor, Dr. and analysis about contemporary Russia Russia Related Alexander Boguslawski. from a wide range of sources, as well as a host of useful links. Russian State Library Websites www.rsl.ru/eng/defengl.asp Moscow-Helsinki Group American Chamber of Commerce www.mhg.ru English version of the official site of the former Lenin Library in Moscow. in Russia Official site of the groundbreaking human www.amcham.ru rights group. Russian Foods.com Offers up-to-date news on the business www.russianfoods.com The Moscow Times and investment climate in Russia from an www.moscowtimes.ru Mmmmm… American perspective. The premier English-language newspaper The St. Petersburg Times Carnegie Moscow Center in Russia, with a focus on Russian politics, www.sptimesrussia.com www.carnegie.ru trade, and foreign affairs. Sister publication of the Moscow Times. Home page for the policy research group rbcmp3.com The State Hermitage Museum addressing Russia and the former Soviet www.rbcmp3.com/store/dept.asp?dept% http://www.hermitagemuseum.org republics. Part of the Carnegie 5Fid=4000 Endowment for International Peace. Official site (spruced up by IBM) of the State “Russian Rock” section of an online music Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace in Friends & Partners store. Features a wide array of both classic St. Petersburg. Includes a searchable digital www.friends-partners.org bands and groups relatively new to the library of the museum’s collections. A pleasant site with a personable feel, scene. You can listen to songs in MP3 for- Vladivostok News started by two information scientists (one mat, free of charge. vn.vladnews.ru American and one Russian) and dedicated Russian Painting to promoting Russian-American cultural, Online edition of the Russian Far East’s www.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian/ educational, and business contacts. only English-language newspaper. ruspaint.html Johnson’s List An online history of Russian visual art, WWW.RU www.cdi.org/russia/johnson created by students enrolled in the www.ru/eng A daily email newsletter with information “History of Russian Painting” course at English language version of the popular Russian website directory.
and economic “web”. However, significant political, econom- Russian-Chinese relations, although Chinese and Japanese ic and cultural differences, as well as the geographical interests also center on natural resources, namely oil and gas. remoteness of the countries, hinder integration into interna- Relations between the Russian Far East and the Koreas are a spe- tional organizations that usually lead the way to global inclu- cial case as well. Plans are underway to build a railway through sion. As paradoxical as it might seem, a practical plan for both Koreas that is to be connected with the Trans-Siberian rail- Eastern Asia integration resulted from the Asian financial road and will (if everything is settled with North Korea in the crisis of 1997-98. That experience demonstrated the effec- near future) provide a much faster and cheaper means of trans- tiveness of countries uniting to combat the crisis. However, porting goods to Europe. this same event also showed the strong rivalry for leadership This proposed railroad clearly suggests what we are, between Japan and China. which is a part of Russia situated in Asia; really, Russia’s Such rival- ries often surface in Northeast “This proposed railroad clearly suggests what” Asia, since the interests of four very influential we are: a part of Russia situated in Asia.” countries (the USA, Russia, China, and Japan) converge here. Russia’s Far East other side. It could symbolize the path to good relations has a unique relationship with each of these countries. Relations among the countries of the area, and somewhere here—spir- with the U.S. are dominated by security concerns, not by the itually in people’s minds, and materially in trains—Asia and more typical economic ones. Politics is also the main aspect of Europe do become closer.
ScholarForum 15 Personal Accounts Grantees’ stories of living and studying abroad
Participants in the Network Scholarship Programs come from an enormous diversity of countries and cultures, but they all share the experience of living and studying in a foreign culture. The submissions in this section express the often pro- found nature of opening oneself to another culture and the effect this can have on one’s sense of self.
Above: Muskie/FSA and UEP Fellows meet with George Soros in Dushanbe, Tajikistan Photo: Nigora SAFAROVA
Left: Muskie/FSA Pre-departure orientation in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Sweat Lodge Ceremony
Igor LESKO, Slovakia been so freaking cold. I had felt very anx- “Sorry Igor, you know that time Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2001 ious throughout the whole day in the doesn’t mean the same to me as it does Bard College light of the evening event. for you, and the rest of your society.” [email protected] There she was. A small blue “It is fine, Gayle,” I mumbled while I I was sitting on the pavement of a Chevrolet truck appeared at the entrance was getting into the car. “I got used to the big college parking lot, waiting impa- to the lot. It was an ‘88 model, still in false justifications of your actions. I won- tiently for the arrival of my Native very good shape. She got it almost for der if you use your culture like that all the American friend. She was supposed to nothing from her hippie brother who time, or if it is only with me.” Gayle burst come pick me up at five o’clock, but she lived in Woodstock. out laughing. She liked to tease me a lot, was late again. It wouldn’t really have She stopped right next to me. I gave but I wasn’t an innocent angel either. mattered to me to wait longer if it hadn’t her a big smile. “So are you ready to sweat and suffer?” “Well, Gayle, as long you are going to suffer with me, it will Igor LESKO, UEP 2001, be a pleasure.” with Bishop Desmond Tutu and two lecturers in We took off from the parking lot immediately, heading South Africa towards the town of Woodstock. After a quick stop at Gayle’s brother’s house, we took off to the actual place of the ceremony. As we approached the to catch the stream of house on the top of the hill I could already see the flames of the fresh air that started burning to flow into the lodge. fire. “Don’t worry “So are you ready to “Hi Gayle, brother”, Russell nice to see started to speak. “If “sweat and suffer?” you again,” you have problems somebody breathing, shout to shouted. open the door. “Hi Russell. This is my friend Igor that I was telling you Remember that we about. He is going to join us tonight.” support each other. “Hello Igor, it is nice having you here.” Russell said. “Get We formed an ready everybody. The ceremony starts in five minutes.” alliance with the My teeth were shaking, as I was taking off my clothes and my whole earth. Sing bare feet touched the ground covered with a soft snow. Getting with us. Doesn’t mat- inside the lodge wasn’t easy at all. I had to stoop to my knees. My ter that you don’t know the words. Sing with your heart.” head was almost touching the ground, but I finally made my way The ceremony went on again. The door was closed. This inside. Russell the leader of the ceremony signaled to the guy out- time, I was singing with them, and when I couldn’t breathe I side to bring the heated stones from the fire into the lodge. sang even louder. I thought that I was the loudest person in the “Mitakuye Oyasin.” Russell suddenly broke the silence. lodge. Then the pipe was lit. “Mitakuye Oyasin.” Replied the rest. Russell explained to me that the tobacco represents the I didn’t know what these words meant. prayers that we have done in the lodge. The smoke from the “Igor!” Russell started to speak. “Mitakuye Oyasin is a burning tobacco brings our prayers to the Great Spirit. We Lakota phrase. It means—we are all connected. With this smoked the pipe, sang and then Russell said a few words of phrase, we connect with all the living beings on earth, and we appreciation at the end. form a powerful alliance. The ceremony has four parts. We sing We slowly got out of the lodge, and emerged beneath a sky and pray and towards the end we smoke a pipe. We express our filled with stars, with the reassuring presence of the moon as well. joy of being reborn again.” “So.” Gayle asked me. “Did you like the ceremony?” Once the stones were inside, Russell indicated to close the “Yes, even though it was difficult.” door to the lodge. There was complete darkness. I started to move “Would you like to go again?” around my seat. My imagination was my biggest enemy at that “Definitely. But this time, I would like to bring a friend of time. The singing began. My mind was just about to explode. mine as well.” Every attempt to take a deep breath was awarded with a bigger “Do you want your friend to undergo a journey of spiritual portion of the hot steam that I had to swallow. I wanted to get out purification?” “Let me out,” I screamed. “I can’t breathe.” “Not at all, Gayle. I want him to suffer as much as I did The door was opened, and the singing stopped. I was trying tonight.”
Journey across the USA the desert torched by the sun, and, of the abundant rains of an August monsoon course, cacti. Mysterious names of Native season! Or, turn the kaleidoscope and look Antonia SULKHOVA, Russia American tribes: Anasazi, Sinaqua, at California, for example, where I am Edmund S. Muskie/FREEDOM Navajo and Havasupai stirred my imagina- doing my practical training now—the Support Act Fellowship Program, 2001 tion. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at oceanic views with palm trees blend with Northern Arizona University my final destination of Northern Arizona mountains, grassy meadows of Yosemite The U.S. resembles a bright mosaic of University, Flagstaff, and I stumbled on National Park, and vineyards of Napa a kaleidoscope. Before I came to the Grand pine trees instead of cacti; volcanoes Valley. In expanding, hard-working LA Canyon State, I expected to see red rocks, instead of flat deserts and was showered by where even Starbucks has a drive-through,
ScholarForum 17 you can hardly see any pedestrians; where- types of democracy; and the challenges of as, walkers bustle in hippyish San Russia's economic development. Who Francisco and sun-tanned Santa Barbara. knows, one day my new interests might My travels across the States (I've help me switch my career from working been lucky to visit New York, Boston, for big corporations to doing environ- Washington DC, Chicago, Miami, Dallas mental projects with the UN or another and Houston, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San international organization. Francisco, Indianapolis, Columbus, and My studies in the U.S. have definite- Las Vegas) allow me to experience the ly changed me. I've become more inde- changing landscapes, and also appreciate pendent and analytical. Professors in the a variety of unique opinions. My school, a U.S. do not run after students, cursing, melting pot of students from all over the reminding, or begging them to complete world, taught me tolerance of different a project. I knew that it was solely my views. I still experience this wonderful responsibility to finish all assignments on feeling of enjoying real academia, when time. In other spheres, I surprised myself fresh minds are boiling with ideas and we very soon with how easily I learned to can talk all night long about so many manage my finances, do electronic bank- Antonia SULKHOVA things in the world: the Kyoto protocol ing, and even drive (welcome to LA, you at graduation
I had to achieve “I still experience this wonderful feeling of good results on my project. I had to challenge myself “real academia, when fresh minds are boiling with multitasking. I clenched my “with ideas and we can talk all night long.” teeth and went ahead. I learnt that and LA photochemical smog; sustainable barely survive without driving here). you must be strong, independent, and development; oil prices and oil wars; During my practical training with British inquisitive, and that if you want some- women in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Petroleum, I was surrounded by so many thing really badly and try hard enough, Russia; religions and fundamentalism; goal-oriented coworkers that I knew that you will be able to achieve it.
A Different Taste of familiar with what many immigrants America face once they come to the US. I met and hung out with people from all over Alexander GOLUB, Kazakhstan the former Soviet Union, each with Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2002 their own history of emigrating and Bard College different views of their American real- [email protected] ities. I met a lot of former artists, engi- This past year made a powerful neers, a musician, and a businessman, impression on me. The program was not many of whom now had to work either only a great opportunity to study, but it in construction or as waiters at restau- also allowed me to have a lot of non-aca- rants and cafes. It was a sad picture— demic experiences that I would not have seeing how these people’s abilities and had elsewhere. Apart from my wonderful intelligence were being wasted. In any life at Bard College, friends, and travel- case, that was the price they paid for ing, I consider my winter vacation to be the freedom the U.S. provided them. I the greatest experience I had while in the appreciated this experience because I US. I stayed in a Russian hostel on saw it with my own eyes and in a small Brighton Beach, in New York City’s way felt a part of the historic process of Russian immigrant area, and became immigration. Soon Everything Changed Liena LINSKAYA, Russia Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2002 University of Georgia Oektekann@yandex.ru Upon returning from the U.S., I experienced severe reverse culture shock. On my second day home, I went to my university to find out what I should do there. I walked into the building where my department is located, where I used to go almost every day of my student life. Now, with two weeks left before finals week, I felt like a stranger. The university lived its own life as usual for that part of the semester, but I was apart from it. I met students from my group and found out that they had changed—they were all different now, and they said that I was different, too. I noticed that they had become more serious, more concerned Liena Linskaya with Japanese exchange students with their studies and their futures. Most of them were really engrossed in finding an internship, which is manda- tory at our university for all students. This was all completely natural, but ble. I felt like I would never become a part of this life again. I still felt like these weren’t the same people I’d studied with before. Soon everything changed. One day I got a call from the head There had also been staff changes in our department. There of my department, asking me to participate in the International were a few new professors whom I didn’t know, plus the head of Student Conference being held by my university. The conference the department was off doing research, and another professor had was the first step in a program of cooperation between my uni- taken her place in the meantime. I think it’s meaningless to write versity and Tokai University in Japan. During these days, I felt about all the small changes that occurred while I was in America, enthusiastic for the first time since I’d returned. There was a lot but altogether it left me with the strong impression that this to do to prepare for the conference. Together with a group of stu- wasn’t the place I had left a year before. I suddenly realized that dents, I had to make a schedule for the conference and think life here had not stopped when I left for the U.S. Many things about how to occupy the participants’ free time, where the best were going on, many things were changing all the time. Life was places to take our guests would be, etc. In this situation, my expe- not the same anymore. I wanted to go back, but it was impossi- rience of being an international student turned out to be very useful. Once the preparation for the conference started, my feel- ing of being “out of the life-stream” started gradually disappear- ing, though it took almost a month for me to feel at home again. This experience helped me to discover “My fellow students” something new about said I had changed.” myself. I kept thinking about how my fellow students had said that I had changed. I thought about how I would have handled all of this a year ago, and I realized that it was true—I had changed. I had become more open, and I had learned to accept other people's per- spectives, to look at the situation from other people's points of view. The conference lasted for only a week, but we all became good friends, we learned a lot about each other’s cultures, and we became interested in cooperation between our universities. I realize now that the experience I had in the U.S. is not over—it has become a part of me, and from now on it will influence everything I do.
Sharifa DJURABAEVA, Muskie/FSA 2002 fellow, with Diana PARKS and Kim LEBLANCK in Lassen Park, California. Sharifa did her internship with the TEA Program at American Councils for International Education.
ScholarForum 19 Finding Their Own Way the younger generation had no problem disagreeing with the poli- cies of the United States. An anti-American feeling was present Jan VANCO, Slovakia in our society even before Bush and his agenda, before Clinton; it Undergraduate Exchange Program, 1997 had never faded out. The servants of the former communist Roosevelt University regime have kept it alive since the Cold War, and unfortunately, [email protected] it has been planted in the minds of the present generation. After my stay in the USA, I finished my degree at my home There is a tendency by the young to over generalize without university in 2000 and became a teacher of English and German getting the information from both sides. It is comfortable. It is language. My U.S. experience helped me during my American easier to state “I do not like America because it is present every- Studies seminars where we discussed American society and the where.” They would use for example the presence of Marlboro daily lives of Americans. cigarettes; but what should also be said is “we want to smoke Marlboro; we want to watch American movies because now “It is easy to state ‘I do not like America we have the choice between them, French, Czech, and “because it is present everywhere.’” even Slovak films.” I know it is all also part of the overall anti- American mood in the world, In these seminars, the students and I talked about various top- taking into account Iraq or Afghanistan. Nevertheless, a univer- ics such as minorities, social structures, religion, environment, sity student must listen to and analyze more sources before form- political life, and anti-Americanism. Over the course of several ing his/her opinion. That is why it is important to read books weeks it was interesting to discuss and see the reactions of students about these issues written from various perspectives. I like that and young people, some of whom had been to the U.S. and the they want to and are visiting America and other foreign coun- West many times. We were too young to experience all the injus- tries. They will see for themselves. I do not want to persuade. tices of living under the communist regime, which is why many of They have to find their own way to discover America.
A Day at the Playground“After only five hours of volunteering,” Madalina IACOB , Romania I believe that we made a difference!” Undergraduate Exchange program, 2003 Rutgers University Her sleeves rolled up, hands wrapped in gloves, Polya Lesova, a 20-year-old Bulgarian student, scraped a bench from a playground in Budapest. Her team has already repainted four other benches and is heading towards the fences. Polya was just one of forty students from Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Mongolia who participated at OSI’s Undergraduate Exchange Program com- munity service day. The UEP Fellows repainted a playground in Kispest, one of Budapest’s districts, helping the commu- nity to save almost $2000 USD. “I loved the community service day. I can’t wait to arrive in the USA and sign up for an activity. It was the first time I volun- teered and I felt really satisfied,” said Corina Ardelean, a 20-year-old Romanian student. “The UEP fellows repainted a playground, helping” the community to save almost $2000 USD.”
teenager, while repainting the fences. “Community service is a common thing in the USA but not in my country. After we finished I was very satisfied to see some of the residents stopping near the fences and congratulating us for our work. After only five hours of volunteer- ing, I believe that we made a difference!” said Ion Miscin, a Moldovan student. The community service day, co- organized by OSI and DIA—the Foundation for Democratic Youth, a Hungarian non-profit organization, is part of the OSI Undergraduate Exchange Program. This year the UEP will incor- porate community service work and pro- gramming as part of the overall program. Croatian, Macedonian, Slovak, mobilized several Hungarian teenagers to More information about the community Bulgarian, Mongolian, Romanian, and volunteer, too. “I never thought that by service project can be found on the NSP Moldovan students worked side-by-side volunteering we could change that much website: www.soros.org/initiatives/scholarship/ for five hours and not only changed the the look of the playground and have so or on the DIA website: appearance of the playground but also much fun!” said Istvan, 17, a Hungarian www.i-dia.org/en_default.htm.
Friends Away From Home share with you. When I found out that one of Olya CHINENKOVA, Ukraine my friends died (in Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2001 Ukraine), I felt really University of Montana bad. I told Megan about [email protected] it; I saw tears coming When I came to Montana, I had to choose a roommate. I from her eyes. The next could live with an international student, or, someone who speaks day when I entered our my native language. To me, there was only one option. I’m room, I saw that there strongly convinced that to be in the USA and not live with an was a candle on the American is a mistake. One will never really know the culture of windowsill; it was lit in any country if one does not have everyday-life communication honor of my friend. Olya CHINENKOVA, UEP 2001, with local people. I made friends with many international stu- Once, I had to return left, with roommate Megan dents (Andrei from Romania, Lidia from Russia). I’m happy I met from NYC at about midnight, but our flight was delayed and I was 2 hours late. I was so surprised to see that Megan was “To be in the USA and not live not sleeping; she was sitting on the floor with the alarm clock in her hands. She showed it to me, smiled, and said “You’re late!” When you live far “with an American is a mistake.” away from your family and friends, it is very impor- tant to know that somebody is waiting and worried them, but I’m sure my year in Missoula would not have been full about you. Even though we have thousands of miles between us if I had not met Megan, my roommate. There are so many now, we still are close friends. We are happy with each other’s moments connected with this wonderful person that I could successes and we suffer each other’s failures.
ScholarForum 21 NSP Alumni: Where are they Now? This section is devoted to sharing the news and activities of Network Scholarship Programs’ alumni. In addition to individual postings, we have included information about alumni groups and reunions. If you or your organization would like to be includ- ed in the next alumni list, please email us at [email protected] with your name, gender, scholarship program and year you began the program, host institution, and what you’ve been up to since you finished your program. Please put “alumni” in the subject line of your message.
Far left and above: UEP, VU, and PIE alumni gather at the Alumni Conference. Left: George Soros addresses the conference. The Undergraduate Exchange Program Alumni Conference Nadezhda STOYANOVA, Bulgaria Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2001 International Education (PIE) Program year, and alumni who studied in the same University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire met in Budapest for an Alumni university through the exchange pro- [email protected] Conference. It provided a great opportu- gram. The 140 participants were and nity for the participants in these two pro- involved in a series of workshops, activi- Anne CAMPBELL grams to meet and communicate about a ties, and speakers. George Soros, Program Manager, variety of issues—including international Chairman of the Open Society Institute, Network Scholarship Programs education, human rights, and profession- and Leon Botstein, President of Bard Open Society Institute—New York al networking. Former fellows came from College, addressed the gathering. [email protected] 23 different countries, spanning years The workshop also gave the students For three days in June 2003, alumni from 1993 to 2002. an opportunity to reflect on their of the Undergraduate Exchange Program The conference allowed alumni to exchange fellowship and on their activi- (UEP), the Virtual University Program mix with others from their countries and ties since their time in the U.S. Students (VU), and the Bard College Program in regions, students from their fellowship discussed their hopes for their home countries and their plans to work towards the Environmental Organization for Kazakhstan (EKO) in Edmund S. Muskie/ Almaty, which is located at the Almaty Ecology a more open society. Consulting Service Center (www.ecocentre.kz). Zhanna is Nadezhda Stoyanova, a UEP fellow FREEDOM Support currently the president of EKO, an organization which pro- motes a safe and clean environment for the people of in 2001-2002 from Bulgaria, said, “[The Kazakhstan. She also works part-time at CaspiEcology, Alumni Conference] could be the ground Act Graduate LLC as an Environmental Specialist. for a future alumni network. Regardless of Fellowship Program Lilia TURCAN (Moldova, George Washington University, the short time to spend with the peers, Public Health, [email protected]) Lilia is a project officer 1995 with the UN Children’s Fund (www.unicef.org). She is the Alumni Conference was an incredibly working on their National Immunization and Nutrition positive effort to boost some optimism Ildus Saetgalievich NURGALIEV (Russia, Boston Program, coordinating a nation-wide immunization cam- University, Education Administration, [email protected], paign. Also, Lilia contributes to the development of a and courage among the students with www.nurgaliev.com) Ildus has been teaching at the Public Health Curriculum through the Public Health Club OSI…background. My experience from Timoryazevskaya Academy, a major agrarian university, of Moldova. and had founded a department of Advanced Research. He this conference along with the participa- is also consulting on modern education trends. Askar YEDILBAYEV (Kazakhstan, Boston University, Public Health, [email protected]) Askar is currently working tion at the International Folk Fair at the Alexei SIDOROV (Russia, Northwestern University, Law, for a humanitarian organization Partners in Health/HMS University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire led to [email protected]) Alexei has as a Program Coordinator in Tomsk, Russia (www.pih.org). started his own law firm, Sidorov Khokhlov Uskov the idea of organizing an International He is responsible for some clinical activities and training of (www.SidorovKhokhlovUskov.com). medical personnel in urban and rural areas, operational Students Festival at my University of research, and other public health work regarding the treat- National and World Economy-Sofia.” 1998 ment of Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis. In addition, One of the most rewarding elements Yelena Yevgenyevna KHROMOVA (Belarus, Emory Askar is consulting on a Tuberculosis project in Almaty, University, Public Health) Since July 2002 Yelena has Kazakhstan. of the conference was to see old friends been working for the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the reunite and new friendships form. Interest U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the office in Atlanta, Yelena works on cases of West Nile Virus in forming UEP alumni networks was and Monkeypox, and has researched the U.S.Vaccine Faculty Development expressed and several groups were formed Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). as a result of this conference. Several Ivan SALEYEU (Belarus, The John Marshall Law School, Program Law, [email protected]) Currently Ivan is working as an groups founded online groups to keep in Associate Protection Officer with the UN High 1998 touch and make connections. If you are Commissioner for Refugees in Minsk. Yuriy BILENKO (Ukraine, Yale University, International interested in coordinating an alumni Economics, [email protected]) In December 2002 Yuriy and his colleagues organized a new Department of group or have one in existence, please 2000 International Economic Analysis at Ivan Franko National contact Anne Campbell, UEP Program Zhanna BEISEMBAEVA (Kazakhstan, Yale University, University in Lviv. Yuriy is head of this department and Environmental Management and Policy, zhanna.beisem- continues his research in international micro- and macro- Manager, at [email protected]. [email protected]) Zhanna has founded an NGO called economics, foreign investment, transition economy, and economic growth. Alexei LALO (Belarus, New York University and Columbia University, Philosophy and Culture Studies, [email protected]) In the next academic year, Alexei will teach courses in ethnic and religious relations in Belarus at the The Kellner Scholars’ Belarusian State University and in cultural studies at the European Humanities University. He has recently pub- Society civil society, and engaging in public lished a monograph, two book-length translations, a col- dialogue about professional and cultural lection of essays, and a number of essays in scholarly peri- odicals in Belarus and the US. Gyorgy “George” TOTH issues in the framework of regular President, Kellner Scholars’ Society events and publications. The Kellner [email protected] Society has also organized and partici- Mongolian The network of NSP Alumni con- pated in events with the students of tinues to grow and develop, finding other Bard College's study abroad program Professional program alumni and building partner- with the Central European University. Fellowship Program ships. The Kellner Scholars’ Society, an In addition, the Society has formed a alumni group of Kellner Scholars in sports chapter which entered in the 1999 Budapest, has been a good friend to the KAISER PLUS Marathon Relay on Bolorchimeg BOR (Mongolia, Columbia University, Education Administration, [email protected]) alumni of the Undergraduate Exchange September 28, 2003. President Gyorgy After completing her Master’s degree, Bolorchimeg took a Program, hosting a sight-seeing boat trip touts, “I am proud to say that the position at the Mongolian Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (MOECS). Since July 2001 she has been for 70 participants at the UEP/VU/PIE Kellner Scholars' Society is well on its working as an officer in charge of international coopera- Alumni Conference this summer. way to becoming a full-fledged cultural tion, policy development, and coordination of education. According to Gyorgy “George” Most recently Bolorchimeg has been working on a Second and professional organization.” For Education Development Project, implemented by MOECS Toth, the Kellner Scholars’ Society more information about the Kellner (www.esdp.mn). President, the Society is firmly commit- Scholars’ Society or forming an alumni Tsolmon TSATSRALT (Mongolia, Columbia University, ted to fostering strong Hungarian- group, please contact Gyorgy at School of International and Public Affairs) Tsolmon is cur- rently working at the UN Development Program-Mongolia American relations, building a robust [email protected].
ScholarForum 23 as an economist in areas of private sector development, [email protected]) Currently Diaga is in Latvia Administrator for the Higher Education Support Program economic growth, and poverty alleviation (www.un-mon- working on a research project called “Work-life Quality in funded 2003 Social Work Summer School Project, held in golia.mn/~undp/). Latvia in the Context of EU Accession Countries.” Ulaanbaatar. Ichinnorov MANJAA (Mongolia, American University, Daniel PREMERL (Croatia, Art History, University of Natela PHARTSKHALADZE (Georgia, Washington Washington College of Law, [email protected]) Oxford, [email protected]) Daniel is studying 17th University in St. Louis, [email protected]) Natela is the Currently serving as the Director, Ichinnorov heads the Century wooden altarpieces in Dalmatia at the Institute of Director of the Nursing Learning Resource Center, which Center for Legal Reform (www.owc.org.mn/lcslr) in Art History, Zagreb, Croatia (www.hart.hr). He is enrolled partners with the American International Health Alliance Mongolia. She has founded the community newspaper in a MA course in Art History at the Faculty of Philosophy, (AIHA), World Bank, Washington University School of Legal Reform, has organized the First National Human University of Zagreb. Social Work, Emory University, and several Hospitals in Rights Forum in Mongolia, and is a National Human Tbilisi. The Center conducts trainings for nurses and social Alexander SHARF (Belarus, University of Sussex, Rights Commission of Mongolia board member. workers. [email protected]) Alexander, also a 1999 UEP Alumni, has recently completed his Masters Degree in European Ia SHEKRILADZE (Georgia, Columbia University, Studies. His website (http://sharf.iatp.by) provides infor- [email protected]) Ia is a Civic Education mation about upcoming scholarships, conferences, and Project Fellow with the Faculty of Psychology at Tbilisi OSI/Chevening programs. State University (TSU), where she teaches. She is also a Project Coordinator for the University Partnership Project Radoslav YORDANOV (Bulgaria, MA in International at TSU, which is aimed at establishing social work educa- Scholarships Program Politics: Political Development, University of Manchester, tion, and works as a Technical Assistant at EveryChild, [email protected]) Studying the process of political where she conducts trainings for social workers. 2000 development and democratization, Radoslav is focusing on Anna TRIMAYLOVA (Uzbekistan, International the Middle East and Sub Saharan Africa for his disserta- Human Rights Law, University of Essex, tion. His dissertation from Sofia University, Bulgaria 2001 [email protected]) Since February 2002 Anna explored the mediating role of the USA in the Israeli- Gulnar AKMAGAMBETOVA (Kazakhstan Columbia has been working in the Legal Department of the Regional Palestinian peace dialogue from Oslo to Camp David II University, [email protected]) Gulnar is a National Delegation of the International Committee of the Red (1993-2000). Adviser with SOS Children’s Villages Kazakhstan. Cross for Central Asia (www.icrc.org). Darikhand BAYAR (Mongolia, Washington University in St. Louis, [email protected]) Darikhand is a Program 2001 Officer with the Child Protection Program at UNICEF. Avdullah HOTI (Kosovo, MA in Economics for Business Social Work Her responsibilities include projects on juvenile justice, Analysis, Staffordshire University, [email protected]) street and unsupervised children, domestic violence, and Avdullah is working as a researcher at Riinvest Institute for Fellowship Program child abuse and neglect. Development Research in Prishtina (www.riinvestinsti- tute.org) and is teaching two economics courses at the 2000 Buajar BEKOVA (Kyrgyzstan, Washington University in St. Louis, [email protected]) Bujar is a Technical University of Prishtina (www.uni-pr.edu/fakul- Sofiya AN (Kazakhstan, Columbia University, Trainer Assistant with the Peace Corps—Sustainable tetiekonomik/ index.html). He is also pursuing a PhD at [email protected]) Sofiya is a regional Program Economic and Organizational Development (SEOD). Her Staffordshire University through a part-time distance Coordinator at the Soros Foundation-Kazakhstan for the responsibilities include conducting training on SEOD top- learning course. Drug Demand Reduction Program for Uzbekistan and ics, and working with local NGOs and state officials on Tajikistan (funded by USAID). The program is aimed at Ihor OLEKHOV (Ukraine, Masters of Law, Edinburgh issues related to SEOD. University, [email protected]) Ihor is an the reduction of drug use and drug-related problems in the Associate in the Kyiv Office of Baker & McKenzie, spe- two targeted Central Asian countries. Mehriban MAMMADOVA (Azerbaijan, Washington University in St. Louis, [email protected]) cializing in banking and finance, taxation, and corporate Fariz ISMAILZADE (Azerbaijan, Washington University Mehriban is a Program Officer with the National law matters. in St. Louis, [email protected]) Fariz is a Senior Democratic Institute in Azerbaijan. Political Advisor at the International Republican Institute 2002 in Baku. He is also a lecturer at Western University where he teaches a course on social policy. He has conducted sev- Janka DEBRECENIOVA (Slovakia, Magister Juris in eral research projects, including “Social Needs in European and Comparative Law, University of Oxford, Azerbaijan” for the Open Society Institute-Azerbaijan and Undergraduate [email protected]) Janka is working for an NGO “Conflict Situations in the Caucasus” for the Swedish called Citizen and Democracy which aims to strengthen Government. civil society (www.obcanademokracia.sk). She is also Exchange Program engaged in a program called Street Law which provides Gulnara ISMANKULOVA (Kazakhstan, Washington 1995 communities with legal knowledge University in St. Louis, [email protected]) (www.pravnaklinika.sk). Gulnara works as Liaison Officer at the World Health Nada GROSELJ (Slovenia, Randolph-Macon Woman’s Organization in Kazakhstan. College, [email protected]) In 2000 Nada graduated Aleksandar DRAGANIC (Bosnia and Herzegovina, MA in from the University of Ljubljana with a joint degree in Economics for Business Analysis, Staffordshire University, Leyla ISMAYILOVA (Azerbaijan, Columbia University, English and Latin, winning the national Preseren Prize for [email protected]) Aleksandar has finished his study at [email protected]) Leyla is the founder and Director artistic achievement. She has worked as a researcher at the Staffordshire University and working on his thesis on cor- of the Center for Psychological Counseling in Baku, which University’s English Department and has published several ruption and business development. He is currently working provides counseling services for adults, children, and fami- articles and reviews. Currently Nada is working on her doc- within the Enterprise Development Agency, a NGO in lies. She is also a Civic Education Project Fellow at toral dissertation. Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, consulting on labor Western University, Baku, where she teaches part-time market issues and local economic development. courses in psychology and social work. She works as a con- sultant with the Social Work Education Project at the 1996 Daiga KAMERADE (Latvia, MPhil in Social and BEIC (Baku Education Information Center) in a joint pro- Adam FLESCH (Hungary, Bard College, [email protected]) Developmental Psychology, University of Cambridge, ject with Baku State University (BSU) to develop a social Adam graduated from the Budapest University of work program at BSU. Economics in 2001 with a MSc in Finance. He is current- ly a Senior Financial Analyst at the Risk Management Oyut-Erdene NAMDALDAGYA (Mongolia, Columbia Department of the Hungarian Oil and Gas Co (MOL) and VU 1995 ALUMNI University, [email protected]) Oyut is a lecturer in working on a PhD program in Finance. the Social Work Department at the State Pedagogical An online group has been formed University in Mongolia. She is responsible for the Master’s to keep in touch with alumni of Virtual in Social Work program and faculty development activities 1997 University 1995. If you are a VU 1995 and teaches in the Social Work Department. She is also Jan VANCO (Slovakia, Roosevelt University, the Project Coordinator for the Curriculum Development [email protected]) In 2000 Jan finished his degree and Alumnus and would like to join this Project for Social Work Core Courses along with another became a teacher of English and German. He is also working group, please contact Zdenka IVKOVCIC Social Work Fellowship Program alumni, Erdenechimeg as a full-time regional secretary for Christian Democrats and Tserendorj. Moreover, she served as the Project at [email protected]. has been elected to the City Parliament in Nitra, Slovakia. 2000 Azerbaijan State Economic University with a Diploma Aida AMANOVA (Kazakhstan, of Excellence. She has been admitted for master study in University of Washington, International Economic Relations at the same universi- [email protected]) Aida gradu- ty. She also works as a Procurement Coordinator and ated from Kazakh State Member of the Quality Team at a local University in International procurement/supply company. Exchange and Finance and took a position with the Economic Research Institute. Currently 2001 Aida works for Kazkommertsbank Maija KURTE (Latvia, Duquesne University, (http://en.kkb.kz/) as a manager [email protected]) Maija has graduated from the Political at the Division of Development Science Department at Vidzeme University/College in Institutions. Latvia. She is currently working as a project assistance at Hanna ASIPOVICH (Belarus, the UN Development Program-Latvia on environment- Ithaca College, grazhyna@ related issues (www.videsprojekti.lv). yahoo.com) Hanna has one more George TUDORIE (Romania, New York University, year before graduation. She is [email protected]) George graduated from the working part-time as a translator College of Communication and Public Relations in at a waterpark in Minsk. Bucharest and now is working on their website Vaidas JANAVICIUS. (www.comunicare.ro) and as a teaching assistant. He is currently pursuing a MA in Philosophy at Bucharest UEP Alumni at Alumni conference in Budapest (Lithuania, University of Arkansas, [email protected]) University. Vaidas is working in the Igor LESKO (Slovakia, Bard College, Marcin PIATKOWSKI (Poland, Roosevelt University, Department of International Relations at Vilnius City [email protected]) Igor is currently doing a Masters [email protected]) Marcin has been promoted to the Municipal Government (www.Vilnius.LT). He is currently in Development Studies at the University of Western position of Research Director at TIGER economic think- enrolled in a MA program in French Linguistics at Vilnius Cape in Cape Town, South Africa. He is researching vio- tank based in Warsaw, Poland (www.tiger.edu.pl). He was University (www.vu.lt) and is the chairman of the Team lence in primary schools in township areas and is work- also nominated to be an Advisor to Poland's Deputy Europe Lithuania. Last summer Vaidas served as an intern ing on a project with the Flemish Interuniversity Premier and Minister of Finance and a member of his at the UEP Alumni Conference inBudapest. Council in Belgium. Political Cabinet. In June Marcin left this position for a Elena JANEVSKA (Macedonia, Slippery Rock University) Kadyr TOKTOGULOV (Kyrgyzstan, Ithaca College, short PhD research study at Harvard University. He has In July 2003 Elena started work as a field interpreter for the [email protected]) Kadyr graduated from the American now returned to Poland to finish his PhD in economics. CAFAO, a EU mission for modernization and improve- University-Central Asia with a Bachelor's degree in Burul USMANALIEVA (Kyrgyzstan, Randolph-Macon ment of the Macedonian customs office. Journalism last June. He is now working for the Associated Woman’s College) Burul is a lecturer/teacher of interna- Piotr LABENZ (Poland, Duke University, Press as the Kyrgyzstan correspondent. tional relations and political science at the American www.labenz.prv.pl) In June 2003 Piotr graduated with MA University-Central Asia (AUCA) and before this she in philosophy from Warsaw University. He has recently 2002 taught at Osh Technological University in Kyrgyzstan. She started a MSc program in logic at Amsterdam University. has studied international relations at the graduate level at Milena OGANESYAN (Georgia, University of Georgia, the Central European University and graduated Magna Zuzana MAZANOVA (Slovakia, Kalamazoo College, [email protected]) Milena is working as an interpreter Cum Laude from the AUCA. [email protected]) Zuzana graduated with a MA in with the National Democratic Institute (NDI), while she International Relations and Diplomacy in June. She is continues her studies at the Tbilisi Institute of Asia and working in Slovakia at the Ministry of Transport, Post and Africa. She is also interning at the International Society of 1998 Telecommunication at the Information Society Fair and Free Elections, a local NGO. Vilma GEDGAUDAITE (Lithuania, University of Department. Salome SEPASHVILI (Georgia, Slippery Rock University, Arkansas, [email protected]) Currently working as audit Gunel MIRZAYEVA (Azerbaijan, University of Maine, [email protected]) During the summer of 2003, consultant in Ernst & Young, Vilma graduated with a MA [email protected]) This summer Gunel obtained Salome interned with OSI-Debate (www.idebate.org) in Public Administration in 2002. my Bachelor in International Economic Relations at through the UEP Summer Civil Society Program. Veronika HLADISOVA-CAPSKA (Czech Republic, Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, [email protected]) Veronika got married in October 2002. She is presently enrolled in a Czech-German studies PhD program at Charles University. What’s New with the Network Scholarship Programs 1999 After many years with NSP, the following New program: Bibi BAITLEUOVA (Kazakhstan, University of staff have recently left us. We wish them Palestinian Rule of Law Program Washington, [email protected]) Last year Bibi spent the year working for a large Canadian oil company in the very best in their new endeavors: Kazakhstan. Recently she has accepted a OSI/FCO Program final year: Chevening Scholarship and will be working on her MA in Carol Tegen Mongolian Professional Fellowship Political Philosophy at the University of York. Alicia Erickson Program Ramil MAMMADOV (Azerbaijan, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, [email protected]) Ramil has Sonia Skindrud obtained BA degree from the Department of International Zinta Gulens-Grava Relations and International Law, Baku State University CORRECTION: with a distinguished diploma. Now, he is a second year MA student at the same department and university and works NSP welcomes the following new The poem submitted by Lela as an economist at the International Relations staff members: Samniashvili in the Personal Accounts Department, National Bank of Azerbaijan (www.nba.az). section of Scholar Forum Issue 7 was Rita NADAS (Hungary, Trinity College, ritanadas@hot- Anne Campbell not translated by Harsha Ram. The mail.com) Rita was an intern at the UEP Alumni Adam Meagher Conference in Budapest this summer. She has recently submission was translated by the graduated in American Studies from ELTE University Kristina Savickiene author. (Budapest) and is a senior in psychology. Phillip Watkins
ScholarForum 25 HESP Regional Seminar for Excellence in Teaching
The Higher Education Support Program (HESP) promotes and departments in the region. The projects considered for the advancement of higher education within the humani- funding will target the young faculty currently teaching in ties and social sciences, throughout the region of post- the social sciences and humanities in the institutions of communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the higher education throughout the targeted region. former Soviet Union and Mongolia. The deadline for applications is December 15, 2003. The Regional Seminar for Excellence in Teaching (ReSET), established as a successor to the HESP Summer Schools For more details about the program and eligibility Program, builds on its experience and furthers its effects requirements, and to download applications, please visit to promote and nurture university-level teaching excel- the website at: lence in the social sciences and humanities in the region. http://www.soros.org/initiatives/hesp/focus_areas/ ReSET promotes the concept of continuous development regional_seminar and self-renewal of university academics and empowering the most committed individuals to become catalysts of the or contact: process of critical inquiry into the scholarship and acade- HESP Regional Seminar for Excellence in Teaching mic curricula in their home institutional environments. Open Society Institute HESP invites proposals of multi-year projects from academic Október 6. u. 12., Budapest 1051, Hungary institutions, associations or individuals with demonstrated Tel: (36-1) 235-6152 potential for and commitment to promoting teaching excel- Fax: (36-1) 411-4401 lence and lending on-going support to individual faculty Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Muskie/FSA Alumni Opportunities CIVIC EDUCATION Support for Community Outreach and University Teaching PROJECT Be a part of the reform and (SCOUT) development of higher education The Support for Community Outreach and University Teaching in your country. (SCOUT) program provides follow-on support to alumni of the Edmund S. Muskie/FREEDOM Support Act (FSA) Graduate Fellowship Program in all The Civic Education Project (CEP) fields of study from the Baltic States and the NIS. It is designed to help alum- is a not-for-profit organization promoting ni share the benefits of their graduate study experience in the United States reform of higher education in the coun- with their colleagues, academic and professional institutions, and the commu- tries of Central-Eastern Europe and the nities of their home countries. former Soviet Union. CEP provides sup- port for promising scholars from Eastern Type of Award Application Deadline Europe who have graduate training from Full-time teaching 1 March 2004 (for assignments in 2004-2005) a Western university and who teach or Part-time teaching 1 March 2004 (for assignments in fall 2004) will be teaching in politics, law, econom- 1 November 2004 (for assignments in spring 2005) ics, education, sociology, history, politi- Special Project grants applications are accepted on a rolling basis cal science, international relations, and public administration and policy studies. Detailed information, application forms, and contact information for field offices are available from the Civic Education Project web site Information and applications: (www.cep.org.hu), or by contacting: Civic Education Project Civic Education Project H-1051 Budapest Civic Education Project Nádor u. 9 Nador u. 9. 1140 Chapel Street, St 2A Budapest 1051 Hungary Hungary New Haven, CT 06520-5445, USA Tel: 36-1-327-3219 Fax: (36-1) 327-3221 Tel: 1-203-781-0263 Fax: 36-1-327-3221 email: [email protected] Fax: 1-203-781-0265 [email protected] http://www.cep.org.hu Contribute to the next Scholar Forum! Cover Topic: The Struggle for Democracy Regional Focus: The Caucasus
The next issue of Scholar Forum will ties which are shaping democracy in your sent the area. (Max. 400 words) be published in Spring 2004, and submis- countries. (If requested, submissions can be sions are requested from all OSI NSP schol- published anonymously.) The following are Personal Accounts ars and alumni. Essays, personal accounts, some points to consider: Essays and creative works photographs, poems, stories, cartoons, and • Describe the democratic progression in Please submit short personal accounts drawings are all welcome. your country. of your experiences living and studying in a • How do you define opposition move- different country. Poems, photographs, Cover Topic ments? drawings and cartoons are also welcome. The Struggle for Democracy: Activism • What organizations have made a differ- (Max. 300 words) and Leadership in Network Scholarship ence in your communities? Why? Program Countries • What is the role of youth and student Alumni The Open Society Institute supports the leadership? Send us information about your cur- building of civil societies by supporting var- • What is happening in your local commu- rent activities to be printed in the Alumni ious programs relating to education, art and nity to promote democracy? Section. Also, please send information culture, women’s issues, and harm reduc- • Is what you’re doing considered political- about upcoming alumni reunions or tion, to name a few. Yet, the struggle for ly controversial, even if it is socially con- updates from old gatherings. democracy takes on many other forms. structive? While political opposition parties may (Max. 750 words.) Send submissions by email to scholar- come to mind, community organizing, [email protected]. Include your full name, NGO development, volunteering, and Regional Focus fellowship program and year, university, other activities can all be components to The Caucasus home country, and gender with each sub- building a civil society. Grantees and alumni from the mission. Please refer all questions to schol- Caucasus region, as well as those who are [email protected]. We invite you to submit research papers, familiar with the area, are encouraged to personal accounts, photographs, stories, submit stories, poems, photographs, Submissions are due in New York cartoons, and drawings that address activi- drawings, cartoons, or recipes that repre- by March 15, 2004.
OSI NSP ALUMNI GRANT PROGRAM
The Network Scholarship Programs is of a specific discipline in the region. Detailed information including eligibility pleased to offer the Alumni Grant requirements, deadlines, and application Program. This program offers grants to Types of grants may include organizing forms are available from the OSI Budapest NSP alumni to further expand the knowl- training programs, conferences or semi- website: edge gained during their fellowship and to nars in the applicant’s field, forming an http://www.soros.org/initiatives/scholarship make a positive contribution in their home alumni association, founding a profession- country. All grant proposals must be related al association, creating initiatives that sup- or by sending inquiries to the following: to OSI’s mission of supporting programs in port the NGO and/or non-profit sectors, the areas of educational, social, and legal creating initiatives that further social jus- The Open Society Institute reform, and of encouraging alternative tice causes, support for creating classroom Network Scholarship Programs approaches to complex and often contro- materials, and other projects related to Alumni Grant Program versial issues. Preference will be given to OSI’s mission. H-1397 Budapest collaborative projects between alumni, P.O.Box 519 across countries and with host universities The competition for this grant is offered HUNGARY and projects that promote the development twice a year. Email: [email protected]
ScholarForum 27 Scholarships and Fellowships with NSP United Kingdom. Students are from The Network Scholarship Programs offers the following scholarships and selected countries in Eastern Europe, fellowships. Programs are offered only in certain countries; please visit the NSP the Middle East, the Newly website for details and for application information. Independent States, and South Asia. www.soros.org/initiatives/scholarship Soros Supplementary Grant Program: The program awards partial grants for undergraduate and post-gradu- American University in Bulgaria: degree) programs at selected ate studies at recognized institutes of Each year, NSP funds scholarships for U.S.universities in a variety of fields. higher education outside students' four years of undergraduate liberal home countries or permanent resi- arts study at the American University Faculty Development Program: dence but within East Central Europe and the Newly Independent States. in Bulgaria (AUBG), located in Up to 14 awards for faculty in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. Central Asia and the Caucuses to spend one semester at a U.S.univer- Social Work Fellowship CNOUS-OSI Program: sity and one semester teaching at Program: Up to 10 awards for students in their home universities, each year for This Program is designed to provide Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbek- up to three years. graduate training in social work to istan to pursue advanced study in implement reform, create policy, and certain fields at institutions in France. Global Supplementary Grant foster the development of social Program: work in the Caucuses and Central Asia. DAAD-OSI Program: This program offers supplementary A joint scholarship program in grants to students from selected Germany for Central Asian and countries of Eastern and Central Supplementary Grant Belarusian graduate students and Europe and the former Soviet Union Program—Burma: junior faculty pursuing advanced to pursue Doctoral studies in the Partial scholarships are awarded to study in the social sciences and Humanities and Social Sciences at Burmese students worldwide who humanities. accredited universities in Western are currently unable to pursue their Europe, Asia, Australia, and North studies in Burma. Edmund S. Muskie/ America. FREEDOM Support Act (FSA) Undergraduate Exchange Graduate Fellowship Program: OSI/Chevening Scholarships: Program: Approximately 375 Muskie/FSA fel- UK Scholarship programs include The Undergraduate Exchange is a lowships are awarded annually, with one-year Master’s-level awards, one-year, non-degree program for fellows from the former Soviet Union generally in the social sciences and students enrolled in a university in placed in one to two-year Master’s- humanities, for students and scholars Eastern and Central Europe and level professional degree (and non- to study at various institutions in the Mongolia.
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