Washington, D.C. (June 1, 2023) – 44 participants gathered for the two-day orientation event of the Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program held in Washington, D.C. on May 18-19.
Participants representing all 12 (Muskie) program countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus took part in a program catered towards their professional development. The sessions included talks from Cultural Vistas staff and program alumni, as well as volunteer experts focusing on U.S. work culture, community service, and ICDE&I. The event focused on ways to strengthen the fellows’ hard and soft skills before they embarked on their 3-month internship experiences. The fellows were also able to learn more about how they can give back to the community, improve their professional online self-branding, take time to reflect on their professional and intercultural goals, and learn more about the opportunities the Muskie Program will provide throughout the summer.
The Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program, which has been funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Cultural Vistas since 2015, gives emerging Fulbright Program leaders from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia the opportunity to gain real-world experience that complements and enriches their graduate studies in the U.S. The Muskie Program’s community represents 12 countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
The Muskie Fellowship Program collaborates with a wide variety of host organizations that reflect the ideals and interests of its fellows. The program exposes innovative young professionals to the U.S. workplace who then bring their knowledge back to their communities. The organizations hosting this summer’s fellows cover a wide variety of fields and span across the United States. They include the United Nations, the World Bank, Human Rights Watch, Boeing, Atlantic Council, the Wilderness Society, the Northwest Center, and Adrenaline Films.
The 48 Muskie fellows of the ninth year of the program will be sent to various U.S. states to complete their fellowship programming. Washington D.C., New York City, California, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Colorado, Minnesota, and Ohio are a few of the places that Muskie Fellows will move to grow professionally.
The program started with a welcome and introduction to the facilitators of “Art as Therapy” – a space that participants were encouraged to make use of if they needed a mental break or a creative venue for expressing their emotions. Licensed trauma-informed Art Therapists Alyssa Goggan and Adrienne Iannazzo brought activities ranging from watercolor painting to creating own stress balls for participants to engage with, as well as a “Thought Box” where participants could write their thoughts and feelings anonymously.
The fellows also embarked on the program’s cultural activity, which consisted of multiple groups going to the Library of Congress, while another went on a tour of the Capitol. Participants were able to learn the history of the United States through cultural exploration of some of the nation’s most historic landmarks, while being guided through spaces by experts.
Additionally, Muskie participants learned about the many volunteer opportunities they could engage in during the summer. Ruth M. Mwanza and Rose Oast (The Salvation Army) enlightened participants about the significance of their red kettle bells and how they can help in programs that happen year long, and Emily Lauer-Bader (Capital Area Food Bank) explained how helping and donating to local food banks can make a difference in all communities.
The program event culminated in an evening reception filled with conversations between fellows, Cultural Vistas staff, and representatives from the U.S. Department of State. Dan Ewert, Senior Vice President of Program Research, Partnerships and Innovation at Cultural Vistas, gave a speech about the program’s namesake, Edmund S. Muskie, detailing why his 25-year legacy in public service is important to remember, stating: “Muskie saw change needed to be made, but he recognized he couldn’t do it alone… be bold and passionate about your cause. The skills you enhance, the connections you build in the U.S. during your fellowships, and the connections with the Muskie network will all be important for driving positive change in the future.”
Meet the Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program Class of 2023
Elmira Abasova, Ukraine
Field of Study: Music Therapy
University: Arizona State University
Host Organization: Roman Music Therapy Services, LLC
Vafa Alakbarova, Azerbaijan
Field of Study: Education
University: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Host Organization: Center for Educational Assessment, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Elana Alizade, Azerbaijan
Field of Study: Environmental Science
University: University of South Florida
Host Organization: Yara North America, Inc.
Sopiko Arjevanidze, Georgia
Field of Study: Public Policy
University: Northeastern University
Host Organization: Boston Metropolitan Area Planning Council
Oleksandra Astasheva, Ukraine
Field of Study: Law
University: University of Cincinnati
Host Organization: Human Rights Watch
Durnabat Atagarryyeva, Turkmenistan
Field of Study: Film/Cinema Studies
University: Savannah College of Art & Design
Host Organization: Savannah College of Art & Design
Tatiana Babara, Moldova
Field of Study: Communications
University: Montclair State University
Host Organization: Thatcher+Co.
Salome Bakhsoliani, Georgia
Field of Study: Law
University: Loyola University New Orleans
Host Organization: EPIC
Olena Bidovanets, Ukraine
Field of Study: Public Health
University: University of Washington
Host Organization: Boulder Crest Institute
Maria Chikhareva, Russia
Field of Study: Materials Science
University: University of Central Florida
Host Organization: Boeing
Irina Golovitskaya, Russia
Field of Study: Anthropology
University: University of Kentucky
Host Organization: Northwest Side Housing Center
Kirill Gorlov, Russia
Field of Study: Law
University: University of Connecticut
Host Organization: International Service for Human Rights
Anara Ibrayeva, Kazakhstan
Field of Study: Business
University: Indiana University, Bloomington
Host Organization: Bank of America
Diyorbek Islambekov, Uzbekistan
Field of Study: Law
University: University of Cincinnati
Host Organization: Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP
Veronika Ivanova, Russia
Field of Study: Psychology
University: Claremont Graduate University
Host Organization: Empower Success Corps
Natia Javakhishvili, Georgia
Field of Study: Biology
University: SUNY
Host Organization: Hawk Mountain Observatory
Goga Katalandze, Georgia
Field of Study: Political Science
University: North Carolina State University
Host Organization: Atlantic Council
Yelyzaveta Korneichuk, Ukraine
Field of Study: Art History
University: School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Host Organization: Hyperallergic
Mariam Latsabidze, Georgia
Field of Study: Public Policy
University: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Host Organization: East-West Management Institute
Artem Makhmutov, Russia
Field of Study: Architecture
University: University of Oklahoma
Host Organization: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates PC
Shaghek Manjikian, Armenia
Field of Study: Law
University: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Host Organization: The Advocates for Human Rights
Astghik Markosyan, Armenia
Field of Study: Biology
University: Colorado State University
Host Organization: The Wilderness Society
Syuzanna Martirosyan, Armenia
Field of Study: Development Studies
University: Indiana University, Bloomington
Host Organization: United Nations Women
Ana Mikadze, Georgia
Field of Study: Public Policy
University: Syracuse University
Host Organization: Center for Environmental Policy and Administration – Maxwell School, Syracuse University
Mehrojiddin Muhiddinov, Tajikistan
Field of Study: Public Health
University: University of Washington
Host Organization: International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH)
Nara Narimanova, Ukraine
Field of Study: Public Policy
University: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Host Organization: Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative
Daria Nikolaeva, Russia
Field of Study: Communications
University: Florida International University
Host Organization: AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc
Oleh Petrus, Ukraine
Field of Study: Gender Studies
University: Loyola University Chicago
Host Organization: Heartland Human Care Services
Kristina Ponomareva, Russia
Field of Study: Language
University: Middlebury Institute at Monterey
Host Organization: Robert H. Jackson Center
Elena Popic, Moldova
Field of Study: Public Policy
University: University of Washington
Host Organization: World Bank
Alena Portnova, Russia
Field of Study: Communications
University: Utah States University
Host Organization: University of Texas at Austin
Maksim Prikazchikov, Russia
Field of Study: Language Teaching
University: Iowa State University of Science and Technology
Host Organization: University of Oregon
Daria Pugacheva, Russia
Field of Study: Urban Studies
University: University of Southern California
Host Organization: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
Shokhrukh Sadiev, Uzbekistan
Field of Study: Public Administration
University: University of Rochester
Host Organization: Datatruck, Inc.
Kirill Samaray, Kazakhstan
Field of Study: Business
University: University of Akron
Host Organization: United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services
Furough Shakarmamadova, Tajikistan
Field of Study: Environmental Sciences
University: University of South Florida
Host Organization: Keep Pasco Beautiful
Zlata Shchekoldina, Russia
Field of Study: International Relations
University: Brandeis University
Host Organization: Novo Distribution, LLC
Dmytro Shynkaruk, Ukraine
Field of Study: Public Administration
University: Michigan State University
Host Organization: Michigan State University Advancement
Evgenii Sidorov, Russia
Field of Study: Computer Science
University: Michigan Technological University
Host Organization: Michigan Technological University
Olga Sosnina, Russia
Field of Study: Anthropology
University: SUNY, Binghamton
Host Organization: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Aisha Sultanbekova, Kyrgyzstan
Field of Study: Film/Cinema Studies
University: University of Texas at Austin
Host Organization: Adrenaline Films
Vazgen Tadevosyan, Armenia
Field of Study: Computer Science
University: Rochester Institute of Technology
Host Organization: Plat, LLC
Roman Tyshchenko, Ukraine
Field of Study: Development Studies
University: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Host Organization: Mercy Corps
Rustem Valiakhmetov, Kazakhstan
Field of Study: Energy
University: Stony Brook University
Host Organization: bp America Inc.
Yuliya Yafimenka, Belarus
Field of Study: Economics
University: University of Michigan
Host Organization: CARE
Liudmyla Yutskevych, Ukraine
Field of Study: Engineering
University: Michigan Technological University
Host Organization: North Carolina State University