(From left to right) Tatyana, Kanaym and Katya, 11-year-olds from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Academy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, perform English songs for Airmen at the Transit Center at Manas March 13, 2012. The 376th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron invited students and instructors from the OSCE Academy to the Transit Center to give them a better understanding of the mission here. It was also an opportunity for the students to practice their English skills with some of the EOSS personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols)
Students from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Academy English class board a C-17 Globemaster III at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, March 13, 2012. Students and educators from the OSCE Academy in Bishkek were invited to the Transit Center for a tour and to practice their English with American personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols)
Bekmurat (L) and Danil, 12-year-olds from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Academy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, simulate flying a C-17 Globemaster III at the Transit Center at Manas March 13, 2012. The students were invited to the Transit Center by the 376th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols)
by Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
3/15/2012 - TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- Eighteen students and educators from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Academy, or OSCE, in Bishkek visited the Transit Center at Manas March 13.
The tour, organized by Airmen from the 376th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, provided students a better understanding of the partnership between the Kyrgyz Republic and United States.
"I had a really fun time," said Tatyana, an OSCE student. "I was happy that I got to sing English songs with my friends for everyone."
During the visit the group received a wing mission brief, windshield tour of the installation and an opportunity to explore a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.
"The whole tour was very memorable for me, especially watching the kids enjoy themselves during the C-17 tour," said 2nd Lt. Richelle Greer, 376th EOSS weather flight commander who is deployed here from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.
The students also enjoyed the opportunity to practice their English with some of the 376th EOSS personnel.
"We use Oxford Programmer to teach English," said Gulsara Kudashevna Razzokova, OSCE Academy English teacher. "Our program is designed to develop reading, listening and speaking skills for the students."
The English class is comprised of 35 to 40 students of varying ages and from multiple schools.
Razzakova worked as an interpreter at the Transit Center from 2003 to 2006.
"When I worked here I knew a lot of Americans who wished to learn Russian or Kyrgyz," she said. "Having the opportunity to help them learn gave me an idea to teach English at the school."
"I learned that kids are kids, regardless of where they are from," Greer said. "They like singing, seeing new places and experiencing new things. They are full of energy and remind me of kids in America."
