News>Kyrgyz, American women discuss career, life goals during cultural exchange
Photos
More than 30 Kyrgyz Republic female university students and faculty attend Women's Club at the American Corner in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Feb. 17, 2012. Female Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas travel to the Bayalinov Children's Library every other week to speak with Kyrgyz women. Sometimes there is a set topic to be discussed but often the women discuss whatever is on their minds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Tracy L. DeMarco)
Staff Sgt. Nichole Link, a personnel support for contingency operations team member stationed at the Transit Center at Manas, describes her job to more than 30 Kyrgyz Republic female university students and faculty members during the bi-weekly Women's Club held at the Bayalinov Children's Library in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Feb. 17, 2012. Link is deployed to the TCM from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and her hometown is Ackley, Iowa. American Corner is a U.S. Embassy program that is supported by the TCM as they provide American guests to speak with the students about planned and unplanned topics. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Tracy L. DeMarco)
During the Women’s Club, a part of the U.S. Embassy-sponsored American Corner program held at the Bayalinov Children's Library, Capt. Kay Stern engages in conversation with more than 30 Kyrgyz Republic female university students and faculty, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Feb. 17, 2012. “It’s my favorite hour of the week,” Stern said. She is the social cultural section chief, Theater Security Cooperation division at the Transit Center at Manas. Stern is deployed to the Transit Center from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Tracy L. DeMarco)
Venera Myrzabaeva, a 22-year-old Kyrgyz Republic university student, explains the cultural pressure on Kyrgyz women to marry by the age of 25 to female Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas during the Women’s Club discussion at the American Corner in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Feb. 17, 2012. More than 30 female students and faculty members attended this week’s cultural exchange. Topics discussed included marriage, children, career goals and life regrets. Venera is studying linguistics at the International University of Kyrgyzstan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Tracy L. DeMarco)
by Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
2/20/2012 - BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) -- Kyrgyz and American citizens gathered for a Women's Club meeting Feb. 17, at Bayalinov Children's Library in Bishkek.
The Women's Club is part of the U.S. Embassy-sponsored American Corner program. Every week, the group meets to discuss various topics including marriage, children, career goals and life decisions.
Aigul Ryskalora, a student and part-time teacher at the English Academy in Bishkek, was inspired by the meeting.
"I was impressed with the ladies because they answered all our questions and interacted so well with us," she said. "I think they are super-human because they pursue work and motherhood."
Although this was not her first visit to the Women's Club, Ryskalora said this visit was the most interesting so far.
"Today's visit was different than the rest, it was very vivid," she said. "I will do my best to get here on time and attend this club more often."
During the discussion, Venera Myrzabaeva, a 22-year-old International University of Kyrgyzstan student explained the cultural pressures on Kyrgyz women to marry by the age of 25.
Capt. Kay Stern, Theater Security Cooperation social cultural section chief, said the Women's Club is her favorite hour of the week.
"The club is my absolute favorite thing to do. Even though we live halfway around the world from one another, we have more similarities than differences," she said. "These women are young and driven. They are so young, yet they already know what they want and have a plan to affect change in their families, communities and their country."
Stern is deployed to the Transit Center from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
Participating in the Women's Club provides many opportunities for Kyrgyz and American women to learn about each other's cultures.
"This is not a one-way experience. It's just as rewarding to see the zeal on the faces of the Transit Center personnel when they participate," Stern said. "It gives an opportunity for our Airmen to see new sights and experience the beauty of another country and culture for themselves."
