Cultural Ambassador Winners Announced for Global UGRAD

IREX is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011-2012 Cultural Passport to America Competition for the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central Asia (Global UGRAD). Throughout the year, the Global UGRAD Fellows collected stamps for their cultural passport and blogged about their experiences. Anzor (Kazakhstan; Graceland University), Khayyomjon (Tajikistan; Southeast Community College), and Yuliya (Ukraine; SUNY Plattsburgh) were recognized as exemplary cultural ambassadors. They participated in a wide range of cultural events and blogged regularly about their experiences, sharing them with a broader audience. They discuss the Cultural Passport below:

What was the most memorable/surprising cultural experience you had?

Yuliya: The most memorable cultural experience I had was surfing in Orange County. Surfing in So Cal was an item on my bucket list, so I was more than excited when I finally stood on the board and was able to stay there till I reached the shore.

Khayyomjon: One of the most surprising cultural experiences I had was when I attended an American wedding. It was totally different compared to our weddings. I was totally shocked at bride’s dance.

What was your favorite cultural experience?

Anzor: My favorite cultural experience was the Lamoni Civil War Day. It was an incredible event and cultural experience for me because many people who participated in it dressed like people during the Civil War. There were two camps: the Union’s and Confederate’s, and soldiers fought with each other like it was real. Generally speaking, this event gave me a feeling of what those days were like.

Yuliya: It was amazing to be in the U.S. and spend my favorite holiday with people who became my second family. Decorating the Christmas tree, sitting by the fireplace and drinking eggnog, watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Elf,” Christmas caroling, getting my first Christmas PJs and unwrapping presents in the morning – it was exactly how I imagined it and I am forever grateful to the family who adopted me for Columbus Day, Christmas, and Easter.

What did you learn about the U.S. through these experiences?

Anzor: Through all my experience in the U.S. I learnt a lot about various aspects of American life such as campus life in US universities, life of the small town and community, religious life in the U.S. and what part it takes place in people’s life. After this American experience I did understand how it’s significant if you want to learn more about other country to go and live there for a while because it gives a lot better understanding of that country. I think if I read or watched about USA in Kazakhstan I never got such understanding of American life as I did during the UGRAD program.

Khayyomjon: My experience in the U.S. taught me to be open to new opportunities and to communicate with people from different cultures. I learned how to become part of a community, how to integrate into a multicultural society, and to experience the new. Coming to the U.S., I now understand how people can achieve so much just by volunteering.

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central Asia is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and is implemented by IREX.