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Airmen participate in Kyrgyz military cultural exchange

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Greg Wade
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AB, Kyrgyzstan --  Manas AB Airmen wrapped up the wing's second year of participation in a cultural exchange program with Kyrgyz military officers.

The exchange program, or "conversation group", met weekly in downtown Bishkek and gave Kyrgyz officers a chance to improve their English listening and speaking skills, while offering both the American and Kyrgyz participants a chance to learn more about each other's cultures through the activities and conversations that took place.

Melissa Bergene, an instructor with the Defense Language Institute, English Language Center, has been involved in the program with Manas Airmen both years.

Ms. Bergene planned weekly activities focused on generating guided conversation for the group and said the discussions with the Manas Airmen was far more beneficial to the students than simply listening to laboratory listening skills tapes.

About 20 Kyrgyz officers have participated in the program each year. The conversation group allows them to develop their English skills with English speaking people.

"This is much more challenging," said Ms. Bergene. "They get to use their English in a more active and practical manner by applying their knowledge to real-world situations." 

First Lt. Ian Newcomb, 376th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron, participated in the conversation group and said he too got a lot out of the program.

"We came to find that we are not only colleagues, but friends who have more similarities than differences," he said. "Being a part of a cultural exchange program was one of the most rewarding aspects of my deployment here at Manas AB. Through it, we developed a bond with our host-nation counterparts and had a lot of fun along the way."

Earlier in the year, the group traveled to the base to visit the Airmen participating in the program. It gave them a chance to see the base and get a better understanding of how American service men and women live not only on a military base, but in an expeditionary environment.

Most of the students had never visited Manas AB before, so seeing some of the places where American military personnel live and work was a rare opportunity and gave them a chance to learn a little more about their new friends.

The Kyrgyz students visited several recreational places on base as well as the Learning Resources Center, fitness center and base chapel. Some of the Kyrgyz officers were surprised to hear how many different worship opportunities were available for the Airmen deployed to Manas AB and service members passing through. 

The Kyrgyz students also got a chance to tour the Air Force's premier air refueler, the KC-135R Stratotanker. They ended the tour by enjoying some American cuisine in the dining facility surrounded by Manas Airmen.

"Several of the Kyrgyz officers told me it was a day that they will always remember," said Ms. Bergene.

The final meeting of the year for the conversation group took place in a local restaurant in downtown Bishkek. It offered the Manas AB Airmen an opportunity to enjoy some Kyrgyz food while conversing with their Kyrgyz counterparts a final time.

"I am so happy and honored that I was selected for the class," said one of the Kyrgyz officers who wished to keep his name withheld. "Only about two students per ministry are selected to participate in the group each year and I learned so much participating in the discussions."

Lieutenant Newcomb said he enjoyed the laughter and conversation about each other's way of life and hopes to continue the friendships he developed when he returns to America from his deployment in the Kyrgyz Republic.

"Some of the Kyrgyz officers in the program are coming to San Antonio soon to study English at the DLI. I'm stationed at Randolph Air Force Base there and I hope to meet with them and return some of the hospitality they've shown us over the past few months," he said.

Although pleased with the progress her students made to improve their English speaking and listening skills, Ms. Bergene feels the most important significance of the conversation group is yet to be realized.

"It is quite possible that some of my Kyrgyz students will someday be in a decision-making position where their knowledge of English and the American culture are crucial factors in promoting peace, communication and understanding between the two countries," she said.