Arwin Rahi, Fulbright Scholar, Came to Study at the Bush School of Government and Public Service in the Fall

2013 Dec 18

Arwin Rahi of Kabul came to study as a Fulbright Scholar at the Bush School this fall. Fur new Fulbright Scholars have begun in the master's programs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Two additional students are continuing their studies they began as Fulbright scholars last year. And, a Muskie Graduate Fellow, Revaz Bakhtadze, is also completing his master's studies this year.

Currently, there are 51 Fulbrighters at Texas A&M, with a total of 13 new students coming to the University for the 2013-2014 academic year. Of these 13, four have come to the Bush School this fall.

There are a total of six Fulbrighters currently enrolled at the Bush School. These include: Karolina Lopacka, from Poland, who came to the Bush School in the fall of 2012; Muhammad Shoaib Zafar, from Pakistan, who came to the Bush School in the spring of 2013; Axel Herilala Fanomezantsoa, from Madagascar; Alexey Illin, from Russia; Hkawn Hto, from Myanmar; and Arwin Rahi, from Afghanistan - all who joined the Bush School in the fall of 2013.

The Bush School has had Fulbrighters attend in previous years, including Ambassador Nasir Ahmad Andisha, ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the Republic of Fiji. Andisha attended the Bush School as a Fulbright Scholar and graduated from the Master's Program in International Affairs in 2009.

To date, over 400 Fulbrighters have attended Texas A&M. Fulbrighters at the Bush School have had a variety of experiences transitioning to life in Aggieland and the School's academic rigor. But all of them wanted to be part of the Fulbright community.

"I wanted to be a part of the community of Fulbrighters. In my country, they are very inspiring and respected," Axel Herilala Fanomezantsoa from Madagascar said. "American leadership is a good model to use [in Madagascar]."

Fanomezantso is in the master of public service and administration program. He said that in Madagascar, he learned with the French style and models, but now he is excited to learn the American and compare the two models.

"There are many valuable experiences to be had here, both practically and professionally," Fanomezantso said. "I would encourage others from my country to apply [to be a Fulbright] because it is a great experience.

In terms of coming to the Bush School, Fanomezantso said he has his own experiences that he can share with other students.

"I was highly advised by my local adviser to pick the Bush School. It is highly respected in my organization and country," he said. "Being here is a really exciting experience. I am quite ambitious and it fits my ambition. The Bush School has its' own ambition to be well-known in the country."

In terms of challenges Fulbrighters face, Karolina Lopacka said she views the biggest challenge of being a Fulbright at the Bush School to be the utilization of such a different education system. It's not easier or harder, just different, she said.

Additionally, Lopacka notes that in a town in Europe, it is easy to get everywhere without a car, but here, it is difficult.

In terms of positives, Lopacka said that meeting all of the people and learning the culture is the best part.

"Everyone was much nicer than in Europe or Poland. People say 'hi' on the streets," she said.

For those who want to do a Fulbright, Lopacka said they should not be afraid to apply. It is worth trying it is a good opportunity to study, not just an experience.

Upon graduation in May, Lopacka hopes to find a job in the EU - or go back to consulting. But she notes that she came here to get out of consulting.

One of the Fulbrighters to come to the Bush School this fall from Russia, Alexey Illin, said he likes being at the Bush School very much. And ironically, in August of 2012, he attended a nuclear nonproliferation summer school in his region, Siberia, and he met six students form Texas A&M there.

At the Bush School, Illin's concentrations include Europe and Foreign Policy and NATO Affairs.

"In general, I wanted to expand my frontiers in education. I knew it was not a good idea to stay in my home institution with lower educational quality and fewer job opportunities," Illin said. "The Fulbright program offered the best opportunities for general funding, scholarship, and intercultural communication. It is highly competitive in Russia. I was lucky and received the scholarship the first time I applied."

Arwin Rahi, said he had an interest in higher studies in the US, and also in the Fulbright Scholarship since it is officially sponsored by the US Government, with the aim to improve mutual understanding with Americans.

Rahi believes this degree will help him a lot. With such a degree I can get good positions in the Afghan government she said.

"I would definitely encourage others to apply for the program. In short, it is a life changing experience, Rahi said.

As for what he hopes to share with other Bush School students while here, Rahi wants to share his country with them.

"I wish they know the real face of my country, which has nothing to do with violence and terrorism," Rahi said.

Revaz Bakhtadze, Muskie Graduate Fellow from the Republic of Georgia, has had similar experiences of sharing and learning while at the Bush School. Bakhtadze is studying public service and administration with concentrations in security policy and management.

On the program, Bakhtadze said he won the Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship sponsored by the US Department of State since 1992. After the dissolution of Soviet Union, the program was established by Congress to bring emerging leaders from Eurasia to the US and give them opportunity to study at the best universities in the country and foster relationships between America and newly independent countries.

"The Muskie program has proved very successful, especially in Georgia where the current president, many high officials, business, and nonprofit leaders are alumni," Bakhtadze said.

He said he has always wanted to study in the United States because it has the best universities in the world. In addition, I am a fan of American culture, he said.

"I was born in the 1980s when the Soviet Union was crumbling and for many America was almost a mythological country that promised freedom and all good things in life. That image has had a strong influence on me," Bakhtadze said.

As for the Bush School, Bakhtadze said he thinks he was lucky to get here. A nonprofit organization that administers the Muskie fellowship on behalf of the Department of State sends the applications of finalists to US universities based on candidates' academic and professional interests.

"The Bush School selected me and I am most grateful for that," Bakhtadze said.

Apart from top academic quality, the Bush School is distinguished by its friendly community, Bakhtadze said. He added that professors and students have always been very helpful and supportive.

As for challenges, Bakhtadze said that generally, his biggest challenge has been the public transportation in College Station. But, the second challenge was studying in English, of course.

"It's one thing to read books and newspapers for leisure in a foreign language and another one to write and speak professionally," he said. "I needed to learn thinking and dreaming in English. I think I have overcome this challenge."

After graduating, Bakhtadze said he intends to find a job in either consultancy or an international organization focused on governance.

He believes his Bush School degree will help him accomplish this because the MPSA curriculum offers a good mix of skills and policy classes that has given him self-confidence to apply to the most challenging jobs worldwide and not be afraid of failure.

"I must note the special emphasis the School makes on developing leadership and communication skills in almost every course students take. This kind of training has empowered me," Bakhtadze said.

To encourage other international students, Bakhtadze said he would tell them to never give up when they have four or five assignments due during one week and life seems impossible.

"After you go through it, you will have that gratifying feeling of 'I made it!' 'I am stronger now!'" Bakhtadze said. "This is worth of every night you spend sleepless during your studies."

Founded in 1997, the Bush School of Government and Public Service has become one of the leading public and international affairs graduate schools in the nation. The School is now ranked in the top 12 percent of the 266 graduate public affairs schools in the nation, according to rankings published in U.S. News & World Report magazine. The School now ranks thirty-third among both public and private public affairs graduate programs and twenty-first among public universities.

The School's philosophy is based on the belief of its founder, George H.W. Bush, that public service is a noble calling--a belief that continues to shape all aspects of the curriculum, research, and student experience. In addition to the Master of Public Service and Administration and the Master's Program in International Affairs, the School has an expanding online and extended education program that includes Certificates in Advanced International Affairs, Homeland Security, and Nonprofit Management.

More information about the Bush School can be found at http://bush.tamu.edu/.