It's been a while since I posted here. Happily, it’s because I was absorbed this past winter and spring as a Fulbright Scholar in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I posted regularly on Instagram and FB, but neglected this blog. Now I’m back in NY and catching up.
In Bishkek, I was teaching at two universities: Ala-Too International University (AIU) and the American University of Central Asia (AUCA). At AIU, I used theatre and creative writing techniques to teach English (mostly to future English teachers) and I also taught Creative Journalism. At AUCA, I taught Creative Storymaking for aspiring actors, directors and writers in the Department of Film, TV & Media Arts. I also lectured and/or gave workshops at Osh State University, the Beshenalieva Academy, the Central Asia Media Foundation and at an international conference on Law, Media & Society sponsored by several universities in Almaty, Kazakhstan. I was also fortunate enough to do some other traveling in the region.
All in all, it was an amazing time. The Kyrgyz people are warm and appreciative. I found their culture and history fascinating and the landscape there is incredibly beautiful. I had terrific experiences with my students and colleagues and thankfully I’ve been invited back to both universities. I would love to find a way.
And so now as I re-adjust to freelance life in America, I'm still gratefully absorbing the past half year in Central Asia.
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