Impacts
UNITED was designed to provide an innovative short-term in-person youth-focused exchange program to improve mutual understanding and people-to-people ties between the United States and Uzbekistan. UNITED included several important goals for the exchange to be considered a success:
- Empower emerging young leaders in Uzbekistan with the knowledge and skills to participate in a global economy.
- Promote civic engagement among Uzbekistani youth through programming aimed at increasing their understanding of community service, global citizenship, and other youth capacity development activities
Project Outcomes
Organizers feel positive about the program outcomes. Data from the program showed very strong confidence and knowledge of careers in leadership, which rose from 14% to 41%. The project saw an increase in virtually all areas related to global citizenship.
In relation to the statement “a democratic form of government is critical to individual and collective flourishing,” organizers saw an increase from 50.00% to 68.18%.
Participant Reaction
Education is powerful tool that every human can have and it can not be robbed or lost. By participation in the UNITED Project, I made sure of it.
Muyassar Abdumannabova
Thanks to the UNITED project, I have rediscovered American culture, history, and how generations of Americans strived for the prosperity of their nation; I have made friends with wonderful people and learned much from them! I attended the lectures and workshops of Ball State professors and coaches, which I loved! I visited the gorgeous sights of Indiana and had the chance to explore the City of Seven Hills – Cincinnati, and Paris of Prairie with its amazing architectural style – Chicago. The UNITED project will always have a special place in my heart!
Ramis Karimov
I think it was a great opportunity to learn from professors’ experience and exchange my opinions with them in order to make my community better. I was excited that my ideas were challenged, allowing me to refine them and ensure a higher probability of success after graduating from university. I believe that this program will be a milestone for my personal career and making my dreams happen.
Ulugbek Abdullaev
Participating in the UNITED Program has been a life-changing experience that has provided me with a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into civics, government, career development, and leadership. The range of activities, from visiting historic sites to interactive activities that fostered leadership and teamwork skills, has taught me invaluable lessons. I gained insights into the workings of government at different levels and learned about the importance of civic engagement and career development. These experiences have equipped me with the skills and knowledge to make a difference in my community and beyond!!
Asrorbek Parpiev
UNITED provided an enriching platform for international exchange, allowing me to bridge cultures and build lasting connections with peers from the United States and Uzbekistan. Through the interactive seminars, I gained a deeper understanding of global civics and government structures, empowering me to be a more informed global citizen. I’ve learned the true strength of unity and collaboration. The program instilled in me a deep appreciation for inclusivity and empathy, shaping my perspective on leadership and community engagement.
Dilmurod Rakhmatov
UNITED provided an enriching platform for international exchange, allowing me to bridge cultures and build lasting connections with peers from the United States and Uzbekistan. Through the interactive seminars, I gained a deeper understanding of global civics and government structures, empowering me to be a more informed global citizen. I’ve learned the true strength of unity and collaboration. The program instilled in me a deep appreciation for inclusivity and empathy, shaping my perspective on leadership and community engagement.
Dilmurod Rakhmatov
Field trips, conversations with entrepreneurs and social activists, and just enjoying the moment have far exceeded my expectations of this program. I am thrilled to have this unforgettable experience full of memories built together with the UNITED group. “Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened!“
Munira Zakirova
Participant Projects
The project team was pleased by the UNITED participants final projects. The presentations have been collected here:
In addition to the presentations, the Uzbek participants created websites about their perspectives of the UNITED project, listed below:
- Ulugbek Abdullaev
- Noriyeva Dilbar
- Ozoda Jaloldinova
- Ramis Karimov
- Javokhir Makhkamov
- Asrorbek Parpiev
- Khamidullaeva Rakhbarkhon
- Dilmurod Rakhmatov
- Albina Xoliyeva
- Munira Zakirova
Media Coverage
Recent links for news related to the UNITED Program:
Plus, check out BSU-UNITED on social media for the latest:
See the BSU-UNITED story…
About
The UNITED project is a program that develops young leaders in both Uzbekistan and the United States through an in-person exchange between the two countries, facilitated by the faculty of Ball State University and funded by the U.S. Department of State.
united
During a 21 day stay in Muncie, 15 Uzbek students learned and worked alongside Ball State students, forming interdisciplinary and cross-cultural teams to explore careers in government, education, community organizing and development, and socially responsible business while being immersed in U.S. culture. Students then applied classroom knowledge to develop and execute collaborative projects that maximize community impact.