Osh, Kyrgyzstan: New Job

After three weeks of unemployment as a Peace Corps Volunteer (boy, I never thought I’d say that), I found an exciting new job that will allow me to remain in Osh. The job is with Osh State University’s fledgling American Center. Opened in December of 2004, The American Center was set-up to function as a stepping stone towards creating an American Studies Department.

I will assist with project design, implementation and resource procurement. Additionally, I will teach a course/debate club on American Culture. I look forward to working with university students in this capacity and I believe that many of the skills I gained while working at the Human Rights & Democracy Center will transfer to this new position.

I already sense that I will be kept busy at my new job. On Friday, June 24th, I will facilitate a culture club on foreign policy. This week's topic of "foreign policy" was selected by the students and the culture club will be a weekly event. In addition to facilitating the culture club, I have been asked to assist with a two day seminar on grant writing (the first week of July) and a three day seminar on “Academic Writing” (the second week of July)...I am beginning to realize that talking and teaching about these activities is very different than engaging in them...I look forward to the new challenge...Wish me luck.

Larry Tweed