“My life has turned 360 degrees”: Aigerim Khafizova about the training program and a trip to the USA
Program: Fulbright Foreign Student Program (2015, New York, USA), Edmund S. Muskie Internship Program (2015, San Francisco, USA)
“The Fulbright program was my dream”
– The Fulbright program was my dream. I have deliberately applied for a master’s degree in education. By that time, I had already been working in the field of education for two years. I am very interested in this topic, namely, in the connection between the field of education and new technologies. I understood that I lack some fundamental knowledge. The program became a kind of starting point for my journey in entrepreneurship and online education. And already in 2015, Fulbright fellows were able to undergo internships in US companies as part of the Muskie Program. I also took advantage of this opportunity and became an intern in Silicon Valley.
After studying in the USA on the program, my life has turned 360 degrees. In America, I understood the following: there is always a creative way to change something, you can always do the way you want and realize your plan. This awareness occurred there. I never thought that I would be an entrepreneur, could create and change the industry. And now I do it through my company Edgravity. We are already going beyond Kazakhstan.
“The program became a kind of starting point for my journey in entrepreneurship and technology in education”
In the USA, I was surprised that there a person can combine and synthesize different areas. You can write music and use technology, or became an artist and get inspired by science. It surprised me. And the fact that you can always implement your plans. There are no restrictions.
During my two years in the United States, I studied a lot. I intuitively understood that you can get to know America through language and culture. In the summer, instead of going home on vacation, I decided to volunteer in Peru, where I worked for the educational NGO Ruwasunchis. Then I applied this knowledge in my studies. Besides, I studied art, theaters and met people of art. I understood that I needed it. I learned to look at the world differently. It was just “wow” for me.
“Being a Fulbright alumna is a key to many opportunities in the U.S.”
I recommend future program participants not be afraid to contact top companies, not be afraid to write to those who inspire you. I believe that interesting things are born at the intersection of directions. Therefore, it is important to be inquisitive, travel, study trends, monitor health, and play sports. When in America you say: “I am Fulbright,” doors open for you everywhere, and no one will refuse.
*This content is made possible by the support of the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan. The content does not promote a personal business and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Mission or the U.S. Government.