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

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

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

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

Oleh Petrus, Ukraine

Field of Study: Gender Studies

University: Loyola University Chicago

Host Organization: Heartland Human Care Services

Elena Popic, Moldova

Field of Study: Public Policy

University: University of Washington

Host Organization: World Bank

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

Dmytro Shynkaruk, Ukraine

Field of Study: Public Administration

University: Michigan State University

Host Organization: Michigan State University Advancement

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