From Curiosity to Calling: My Years at the International University of Central Asia  By Eldos Amantur  

There is a particular kind of courage in choosing a path that few people around you  fully understand. When I first mentioned the International University of Central Asia  to others, the reaction was often uncertain. Many people focused on one simple fact:  the university was in Tokmok. For some, that alone seemed like a reason to question  the decision.  

But curiosity can be stronger than hesitation.  

The first time I visited Tokmok was for the university itself. I had never been there  before and had no real expectations. When I stepped onto the IUCA campus, I felt  something that is difficult to explain but easy to remember. There was an atmosphere  of openness and possibility. The conversations I had with professors and staff felt  genuine and thoughtful. They answered questions with honesty and interest rather  than formality. When I left that visit, I carried with me a quiet certainty that this  place could shape an important part of my future.  

Over time I came to understand that choosing a university is rarely just about  location. In the years that followed I visited many countries and saw institutions in  different parts of the world. What became clear to me is that places are not defined  by geography alone. They are defined by people. The people who challenge your  thinking, encourage your ambitions, and share your journey often matter far more  than where the campus is located.  

IUCA became that kind of environment for me 

Academically, the experience was not about memorizing answers. It was about  learning how to think. In the International Relations program we were encouraged to  examine complex questions from different perspectives. Rather than simplifying the  world, our studies often revealed how interconnected and complicated it truly is.  That process was sometimes challenging, but it helped develop the habit of analyzing  ideas carefully and approaching problems with curiosity rather than certainty.  

Beyond the classroom, student life created another kind of education. Living in the  dormitory brought a sense of community that shaped my daily experience. Late night  conversations, shared meals, and spontaneous discussions about everything from  global politics to personal ambitions slowly built friendships and perspectives that  remain meaningful today. Many of the people I met during those years became close  friends whose presence continues long after graduation. 

During my time at IUCA I also became involved in student leadership. I served in the  Student Senate for three years, first as Vice President and later as President. Those  experiences were important not simply because of the positions themselves, but  because they showed me how collaboration and responsibility work in practice. They  taught me that building something meaningful with others requires patience,  communication, and a willingness to learn through trial and error.  

When I look back now, what stands out most is not a single achievement or moment  but the gradual process of growth. University life is rarely a straight line. There are  moments of uncertainty, moments of discovery, and many small experiences that  slowly shape who you become.  

By the time I graduated, I had the honor of being named Valedictorian, graduating  Summa Cum Laude. I am proud of those distinctions, but the deeper value of those  years lies beyond academic recognition. What I gained most were the habits of  thinking, the friendships, and the confidence to pursue meaningful work.  

Today I serve as the CEO of Growthhungry, an IT company and learning community  that focuses on developing world class engineers in Central Asia. I also serve as a  member of the Board of Trustees of ProKG, one of Kyrgyzstan’s leading public  education associations. None of these paths were perfectly planned, yet many of the  ways I approach leadership, collaboration, and decision making trace back to lessons  that began during my years at IUCA.  

Looking back, IUCA gave me more than an education. It provided a space where  curiosity slowly developed into direction. It was a place where ideas were debated,  friendships were formed, and a sense of purpose began to take shape.  

For anyone currently deciding where to study, uncertainty is a natural part of the  process. Advice from others can help, but it cannot replace your own sense of  exploration. Sometimes the most important decisions begin simply with curiosity and  the willingness to discover a place for yourself.  

That is how my journey with IUCA began, and in many ways it continues to shape the  path ahead.  

Special Thanks  

I am deeply grateful to every professor, staff member, and classmate who made  those years meaningful. I am thankful for the friendships that began in classrooms,  dormitory halls, and late night conversations and have continued far beyond  graduation.  

I am also sincerely grateful to the sponsors who made my education possible. Their  support was not only an investment in my studies but in everything that followed. In  recognition of that generosity, I have begun giving back by supporting the education  of other students who, like me, only need someone to believe in their potential  before they can fully believe in it themselves.

I came to Kyrgyzstan from Uzbekistan not just to study, but to grow and shape myself. IUCA became a space for my personal and professional development.

During my studies in the «IR» (International Relations) program, I gained not only knowledge in the field of international relations. I learned Russian and Kyrgyz, developed critical thinking skills, learned to ask questions, analyze processes, participate in debates, and form my own position. It was at IUCA that I developed a sense of identity, inner strength, and a deeper understanding of myself.

After graduating from IUCA, I enrolled in a Master’s program in «Regional Development» at the University of Padua in Italy. The foundation in critical thinking, independence, and analytical skills that I built in Kyrgyzstan became the cornerstone of my further academic journey.

IUCA gave me the most important thing — the ability to think, to question, to stay curious, and not to be afraid of searching for my own answers.

My name is Malika, and I graduated from the «International Relations» program at «IUCA» in 2018. My studies laid a strong foundation for both my professional and academic path. The program helped me develop analytical thinking, research skills, and a keen interest in issues of identity, peacebuilding, and regional dynamics in Central Asia.

I am currently completing my master’s degree at the American University of Central Asia in the «Central Asian Studies» program. My research focuses on civic identity and interethnic relations in the region. I have participated in academic conferences in Kyrgyzstan, as well as regional and international events, including presenting my research in Washington, D.C.

Alongside my studies, I work in the field of dialogue and external relations, organizing meetings and fostering cooperation between government institutions and civil society on topics such as interfaith dialogue, and the role of women and youth in social transformation.

The »International Relations» program at IUCA gave me a solid theoretical foundation, confidence in public speaking, and a deep understanding of the regional context — skills I apply daily in my professional work.

To prospective students, I would advise being active, participating in conferences, developing language skills, and using the university as a platform for growth. International Relations is not just about theory; it is also about taking responsibility and contributing to the development of society.