Diana

SUSI 2019

Dianama's classroom

Diana (left), conducting a "Get Access" training with high school students

As a student from a rural village who was accepted to the American University of Central Asia, Diana recognized the need for post-secondary guidance support for high school students in rural areas. So she recruited three volunteers from her university to help plan and deliver “Get Access” trainings to high school students living in three different villages in the Alai region of Kyrgyzstan. During their trainings, they shared educational opportunities with 42 students ages 15-18 years old, and taught them how to set realistic and achievable goals in order to research and apply for universities.

Diana views these trainings as “phase 1” of her project, and she plans to stay in touch with the students as they near high school graduation. She writes, “Thanks to the knowledge gained in SUSI, I was able to start my project. I believe this is only the beginning.”

Diana's School Group

High school students holding materials Diana provided on post-secondary opportunities. Diana is pictured third from left in the front row.

Mission

The Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) on Women's Leadership is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). ECA’s mission is "to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to promote friendly and peaceful relations.