Question: "Recently, Ms. Karen Hughes, Undersecretary For Public Diplomacy for the US Department of State said that the job of Public Diplomacy is about building long-term, people to people relationship and that the work of public diplomacy, the work of reaching across the world . . .is generation.  It seems apparent that the Ambassador's Scholars Fund is a positive step forward in the realm of public diplomacy.  Wouldn't it be more effective to bring these young scholars to study in the United States.  In light of Section 214b of the Immigration Act, should a US education for underprivileged Kyrgyz children be considered unrealistic.  If not, how can private individuals help in sponsoring potential students whose native families live at or near the poverty level.

Thank you in advance for your response.

Sincerely,

P. Joseph Sandoval

 

 

Dear Mr. Sandoval:

Thank you very much for your question regarding the Ambassador's Scholars Fund. 

Providing educational opportunities in the United States is a key component of our public diplomacy initiatives, and the State Department funds several programs for Kyrgyz students.  Each year, approximately 60 Kyrgyz high school students spend a year in the United States under the FLEX program.  More than 10 university students spend a year on American college campuses under the UGRAD program.  The Edmund S. Muskie Fellowship Program provides approximately 10 graduate study positions in the United States, and the Hubert Humprheys Fellowship enables Kyrgyz professionals to spend a year at an American university.  In addition, the Fulbright program sends several reserchers and lecturers to the United States.  There are also several other privately-funded academic exchange programs, such as the Soros Foundation's, which also sends several dozen high school students to the United States. 

Such programs are indeed important, but resources are limited.  By assisting financially-disadvantaged students to complete their education at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) here in Bishkek, which is modeled after an American liberal arts college, we hope to increase the number of students who are exposed to American values through education.  Students who attend AUCA, one of the best universities in Kyrgyzstan, will become competitive for study opportunities in the United States, and thus, greater employment opportunities following graduation.  Not only can they then contribute to the development of Kyrgyzstan, but also better overcome the burden of immigration intent, established by the INA's Section 214(b) you referred to in your inquiry.

I suggest you contact some of our local implementing partners to inquire about hosting some Kyrgyz students in the United States.  Host families play an enormously important role in providing the students exposure to American life and often have the greatest impact on them. 

Here are some useful contacts:

Everett Peachy - ACCELS
peachey@accels.elcat.kg

Chinara Omurkulova - IREX
office@irex.kg

Anara Jamasheva -  Bishkek Resource Center ajamasheva@soros.kg ajamasheva@soros.kg

Thank you for your interest!