Cultural Vistas Launches First Year of Edmund S. Muskie Internship Program
Follow updates in real time at #MuskieIntern

WASHINGTON – Cultural Vistas is pleased to announce the inaugural class of theEdmund S. Muskie Internship Program.

The Edmund S. Muskie Internship Program is a summer internship program funded by the U.S. Department of State that provides emerging leaders from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia with the opportunity to gain real-world experience complementing and enriching their graduate studies in the United States.

Participating host organizations are not only at the forefront of bringing innovative talent to the American workplace, but also play a critical role in fostering mutual understanding. The organizations hosting interns span a variety of fields and industries and include the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sony Pictures, Sister Cities International, the United Nations, Newsweek, and the World Bank, among others.

“The Edmund S. Muskie Internship Program is more than just an opportunity to gain practical experience – it is a chance to expand one’s professional network and strengthen regional ties,” says Yelena Khotsevitch, Assistant Program Officer at Cultural Vistas. “These are bright, motivated individuals who are prepared to engage in challenging projects and make a relevant contribution to the global workforce.”

The class of 2015 consists of 40 young leaders, currently in the United States as Foreign Fulbright Graduate Scholars. The program began with an orientation in Washington, D.C. on May 15, 2015. Other components include virtual learning activities, a three-month internship, and a closing seminar in August to allow participants to reconnect.

The closing seminar and other post-program activities provide participants with opportunities to share their work and to continue building their careers. As Andrii Svietlov, International Economics and Finance student at Brandeis University, said, “I hope that from my professional work I will be able to help Ukraine attract more financial resources to help create jobs, better opportunities for people, and also promote prosperity.”

Learn more about the Edmund S. Muskie Internship Program atculturalvistas.org/muskie.

About the Muskie Program
While 2015 marks the first year featuring its new format and scope, the Muskie Program has established meaningful connections between Americans and nearly 5,000 emerging Eurasian leaders over the last two-plus decades. Named after the late Senator from Maine and preeminent U.S. environmental leader, the original academic program was established by Congress in 1992 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union to help ensure that countries in the region continued healthy economic and democratic growth.

About Cultural Vistas

A nonprofit organization, Cultural Vistas annually serves more than 5,000 students, professionals, and emerging leaders through career-focused international internships, educational study tours, language immersion, and cultural exchange programs in the United States and around the world.

Follow @CulturalVistas and #MuskieIntern on Twitter.
Meet the Edmund S. Muskie Internship Program Class of 2015:

Sharaf Asgarova
Field of Study: Energy and Environmental Law
University: Tulane University
Host Organization: Alliance for Affordable Energy

Maia Bashirova
Field of Study: International Economics and Finance
University: Brandeis University
Host Organization: State Street Global Advisors

Ingkarim Beg Ali
Field of Study: International Comparative Education
University: Florida State University
Host Organization: Education Development Center

Aynur Charkasova
Field of Study: Education, Workforce Development
University: Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Host Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Jeren Charyyeva
Field of Study: Energy Management
University: New York Institute of Technology
Host Organization: 8minutenergy Renewables

Kanan Gasimov
Field of Study: Political Science
University: Western Michigan University
Host Organization: The United Nations

Maia Gelashvili
Field of Study: Higher and Postsecondary Education
University: Columbia University
Host Organization: Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium

Nizoramo Haitova
Field of Study: Educational Leadership
University: Western Michigan University
Host Organization: The Evaluation Center-Western Michigan University

Zarina Ismailova
Field of Study: Operations Management
University: South Dakota State University
Host Organization: International Union for Conservation of Nature

Aigerim Khafizova
Field of Study: Educational Administration and Policy Studies
University: State University of New York – Albany
Host Organization: Pathbrite and Udemy

Galyna Korniyenko
Field of Study: Urban Development and Planning
University: University of Kansas
Host Organization: Ohio State University

Zafar Kurbanov
Field of Study: Natural Resource Economics
University: University of Rhode Island
Host Organization: International Food Policy Research Institute

Anna Lysiuk
Field of Study: Arts Administration
University: Indiana University, Bloomington
Host Organization: Museum of Modern Art

Firdavs Navruzov
Field of Study: Education – TESOL
University: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Host Organization: Dept. of Education, Office of English Language Acquisitions

Aidar Oruzbaev
Field of Study: International Law, Commercial & Investment Arbitration
University: University of Miami
Host Organization: Norton Rose Fulbright U.S. LLP

Igor Pak
Field of Study: Energy and Environmental Law
University: Tulane University
Host Organization: The World Bank

Vira Pravosud
Field of Study: Public Health, Epidemiology
University: University of Kentucky
Host Organization: Kentucky Department for Public Health

Takminakhon Rakhmatova
Field of Study: Applied Economics
University: Western Michigan University
Host Organization: DevTech Systems

Tsimafei Savitski
Field of Study: Information Technology & Privacy Law
University: John Marshall Law School
Host Organization: FINCA International

Ielyzaveta Shchepetylnykova
Field of Study: International Education
University: George Washington University
Host Organization: The Association of Public & Land-grant Universities

Andrii Svietlov
Field of Study: International Economics and Finance
University: Brandeis University
Host Organization: State Street Global Advisors

Muazzam Toshmatova
Field of Study: Economic Development
University: Texas A&M University – College Station
Host Organization: DevTech Systems

Valeriya Vasilenko
Field of Study: Business Administration, Strategic Marketing
University: University of Akron
Host Organization: Reduction Engineering

Ulyana Zavadskaya
Field of Study: Marketing Research
University: University of Texas at Arlington
Host Organization: Walmart