"Reflecting on my nine months at Illinois, I can confidently say that the Bolashak Visiting Scholar Program didn't just enhance my skills—it supercharged them," — Nurken Aubakir, current Bolashak Visiting Scholar and Dean of the School of Transformative Humanities at Almaty Management University (AlmaU) in Kazakhstan."
Editor's Note: Nurken Aubakir is a 2023-2024 Visiting Scholar at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Illinois) in the framework of the national “500 scholars” scientific internship program by the Center for International Programs Bolashak (The Bolashak Program).
He is the Dean of the School of Transformative Humanities at Almaty Management University (AlmaU), which is among the top universities in KZ/Central Asia per the QS World University Rankings.
The following is a first-hand account written by Aubakir about his experience in the program, which is organized by Global Education and Training. The Bolashak Visiting Scholar Program is an initiative sponsored by the Kazakhstani government to facilitate academic, scientific, and cultural exchange.
Illinois first became a host institution in 2021 when GET welcomed two scholars from AlmaU in Kazakhstan. Since then, Illinois has served as a host institution for three consecutive years. Aubakir said the collaboration between Bolashak and Illinois aims to enhance pedagogical skills, foster international cooperation, develop research capabilities, and promote cross-cultural understanding. This academic year, GET welcomed 15 scholars, including Aubakir.
This is his story.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Bolashak program, over the years, has proven to be a transformative and enriching experience for scholars and in the 2023-2024 academic year 15 scholars came to advance knowledge and foster global academic synergy including myself.
The 9-month program was designed, developed, and managed by Global Education and Training (GET) in Illinois International. The primary objectives of the program included enhancing academic and research skills, facilitating collaborative research projects, promoting cultural exchange, and most importantly strengthening the pedagogical skills of the scholars.
Right after we arrived at the Illinois campus, the first activities included attending Teaching Workshops.
The Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning organized these workshops led by the Senior Specialist in Education Cheelan Bo-Lin.
This was a highlight of my academic year, enriching my pedagogical approach with innovative teaching techniques that I plan to integrate into classrooms in Kazakhstan.
These workshops provided insights into syllabus transformation, student-centered teaching methods, effective feedback mechanisms, and the integration of technology in education—essential tools for any educator aiming to foster a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
As part of a Capstone project, we developed websites to showcase our achievements with Cheelan, making “academic web stars” out of us all.
Taking Academic English Courses
As part of the program, we could enhance our English proficiency through courses offered by the Intensive English Institute (IEI). I chose to enroll in the Academic Reading and Writing course (ARW 600), which is tailored specifically for advanced students who aim to refine their academic English.
This course focuses on developing sophisticated reading strategies, enhancing the ability to critically analyze texts, and improving writing skills through a variety of complex assignments.
We learned that Advanced English is not about using 'whom' in every sentence but about articulating complex ideas with clarity. Thanks to our instructor, Norbert Huether, I can now read scholarly articles without needing a nap afterwards.
Writing Workshops
Another opportunity was to participate in a specialized writing workshop led by Lisa Chason, which utilized Wendy Belcher’s well-regarded book, “Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks.”
This course is designed to guide participants through the process of producing a publishable academic article over 12 weeks. The structured approach helps demystify the writing process for scholars at various stages of their careers, focusing on elements such as crafting compelling arguments, managing citations, and effectively responding to feedback.
These sessions turned the mystic art of academic writing into a clear set of actionable steps, proving that "publish or perish" doesn’t have to be as dramatic as it sounds. This experience was pivotal in developing my academic writing and publishing skills, contributing also to my final research poster presentation.
Mentorship and Professional Development
During my time at Illinois, I delved into many research ideas including specialized fields that aligned with my academic and career objectives.
Under the guidance of esteemed faculty like Patricia Phillips-Batoma, I explored the intricacies of translation studies and expanded my knowledge in the field.
One of my research focuses was on the development of translation process modeling and corpus building, benefiting immensely from Illinois' rich resources and collaborative environment.
The mentorship provided was instrumental in refining my research questions and methodologies, which is a future comprehensive paper that I plan to finish and present back home.
This research not only contributed to my personal academic growth but also aimed to fill a gap in translation studies within the context of Kazakhstani academia. The other topic of interest for me was comparing and contrasting the GenEd curriculum and particularly the syllabi of Illinois and AlmaU.
My mentor’s input into this is immeasurable. She introduced me to professors of GenEd courses, who gave me access not only to their syllabi and learning materials but opened their doors for me to observe their classes. I am grateful to all the Illinois professors who helped me gather data for this project.
I am forever in debt to my mentor with whom we explored everything from corpus building to syllabi comparison—because what’s more thrilling than matching syllabi from different continents.
Volunteering and Sports Management
Living in Urbana-Champaign allowed me to engage with a diverse community and participate in cultural exchanges that enriched my understanding of global perspectives.
My commitment to community service and personal development extends well beyond the academic realm and while in the USA, I continued to actively participate in volunteer activities, notably within the GoGREEN project at Illinois. This initiative supports UN goals by promoting environmental sustainability and responsible citizenship through active participation in community-focused environmental projects.
Beyond the confines of academia, my dedication to community engagement and self-improvement remained a cornerstone of my experience in the United States.
I had the privilege of engaging with the vibrant academic community by volunteering at the Undergraduate Students’ Week. In this role, I served both as a judge and as a chair for various sessions, where I evaluated presentations and led discussions that highlighted the innovative research and scholarly efforts of the students.
This opportunity allowed me to contribute to the academic development of the undergraduates, providing them with constructive feedback and encouragement. My involvement in this event was not only a chance to support the students' academic journeys but also a platform for me to apply and enhance my leadership and analytical skills.
Another enriching aspect of my volunteer activities in the USA was my involvement with the Urbana Christie Clinic Marathon. Participating in this event allowed me to contribute to a significant community gathering that emphasizes health, perseverance, and community spirit.
My role involved supporting both the organizers and participants, ensuring a smooth execution of the event and providing encouragement and logistical support to runners. I learned that the only thing more exhausting than running it is organizing it—kudos to everyone who keeps their sneakers and sanity intact.
My dedication to health and fitness is demonstrated by my small accomplishments in athletics, having completed a 10K run at the Urbana Christie Clinic marathon myself and winning Gold at a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament in Missouri. I want this all to serve as a powerful example of the balance between mental and physical discipline for my students and colleagues.
Sharing Kazakh Culture
One of the standout experiences during my time in Urbana-Champaign was organizing and participating in the Kazakh Culture Day. This event was pivotal not only in showcasing the rich traditions and vibrant heritage of Kazakhstan but also in fostering intercultural dialogue and understanding within the university community.
Kazakh Culture Day served as a dynamic platform where attendees could immerse themselves in the nuances of Kazakh music, dance, art, and culinary delights, all of which play an integral role in the cultural identity of Kazakhstan.
Organizing Kazakh Culture Day was like throwing a party where everyone was invited to wear a Kazakh robe and dance awkwardly. This event not only showcased Kazakhstan’s rich cultural tapestry but proved that music and dance can do what diplomatic meetings sometimes cannot—bring people together in joyous harmony.
This celebration highlighted the importance of cultural exchange in creating an inclusive academic environment where cultural heritage is respected and valued. The success of the event underscored the power of cultural events in bridging gaps between different communities, fostering a sense of unity and mutual respect among participants
Going Beyond the University
I actively seek to broaden my academic horizons and foster educational synergies globally. I was lucky to have engaged in a series of educational exchanges with prominent institutions such as Arizona State University, the University of Southern California, the University of Minnesota, the University of Illinois in Springfield and in Chicago, and the University of Indiana.
These conference and workshop visits allowed me to absorb and integrate diverse pedagogical and research strategies and innovations from around the US, greatly enriching my educational philosophy and research approach.
A pinnacle of my international engagement was my role as a speaker at a Cintana Alliance Education Summit at Arizona State University. This summit, with participation from educators and thought leaders from 15 different countries, provided me with a platform to share my insights and learnings. Speaking at the this event was like auditioning for the intellectual X-Factor, and thankfully, the feedback was all cheers.
My contributions were not only well-received but also marked by their emphasis oninnovative educational practices and strategies for integrating global issues into local curricula. My journey reflects a tireless quest for educational excellence and a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education.
Exploring educational synergies across various U.S. universities, I realized that academic exploration is less about the "where" and more about the "who you meet along the way."
Looking Back
Reflecting on my nine months at Illinois, I can confidently say that the Bolashak Visiting Scholar Program didn't just enhance my skills—it supercharged them.
As I prepare to return to Kazakhstan, I’m not just carrying back a suitcase of clothes but a treasure chest of knowledge and experiences. Special thanks to the Illinois weather, which taught me that layering is indeed not just a Photoshop skill but an essential survival tactic.
Nurken Aubakir is a 2023-2024 Bolashak Visiting Scholar and can be reached at nurkenaubakir@gmail.com.