Focus: SHSS Magazine Second Issue

Issue #2 march 2014

Welcome New Dean!

focus SHSS Magazine

work ethics is everything

James Nikopoulos

people should dance in public

Karlsson Syndrome or who are you talking to?

Cafe Rafe Coffee & Food

AROUND ASTANA Study Hack

Step by Step

Detailed Dorm Rating

On cover: Alen ASKAR "FOCUS" photographer

from AGS to RIXOS

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Cover by: Aibike ALMAMBETOVA SHSS Magazine

DARYA

Editor-in-Chief

TARISHKINA Dear readers,

We are happy to introduce the Second Issue of FOCUS: SHSS Magazine. The general goal of FOCUS is to talk about things that SHSS students care for. For this reason, in this issue you will find out more about some SHSS professors and be surprised at how awesome they are!

You will also find out how to succeed in their classes. You will read about imaginary friends and real challenges of academic life. You will find out how to make your home environmentally friendly and how to survive in the unfriendly environment of AGS. You will read about real world politics and get familiar with artistic works of some of your peers.

We hope you find it useful and entertaining!

AKZHAN

Chief Designer

RYMZHANOV For all my favourite haters.

And all those who love classic design.

P.S. Raw designers do raw things.

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Gulzhanat Sultangazinova

Yekaterina Baskakova

Saltanat Sultanbayeva

Moldir Akhmetova

Aidana Kassymova

Raushan Abylkassymova

Dilyana Gafarova

FOCUS STAFF Abylay Battakov

Nazerke Sadykova

Regina Kassenova

3 Aikerim Kargazhanova

Valentina Vinokurova

Aizhan Sapar

SHSS Magazine

Adil Nussipov

Laura Sabanbayeva

CONTENTS 6

James Nikopoulos Word for Word

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6

Kazakh Wedding Professors' exprerience

13

Dormitory rating Overview

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Multilingualism Languages in NU

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Kazakh Wedding Traditions

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Karlson Syndrome Who are you talking to?

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SHSS Pride

22

Around Astana Cafe Rafe

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Dormitory Rating: Look from the inside

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Internship Summer in Nur Otan

26

SHSS welcomes New Dean

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New Dean Steven D. Roper

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Green Design Smart decisions for your house

36 22

Your Poetry on pages of FOCUS

Cafe Rafe Experience the Chic

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Welcome New SHSS professors

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Study Hack

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Movie Review

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Music Review

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Creativity Column

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SHSS Student Council

Word for Word

James Nikopoulos PhD. Professor of World Languages and World Literature, SHSS Nazarbayev University, Astana

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‘To be free’ means… to be free of all emotional ties to other people. And it is horrible.

I would say to myself at the age of 12: “Wake up, quit being so shy! Talk to people, talk to girls, don’t be afraid to talk in class, say what you think! Shyness is horrible!”

going to make my morning yoga to feel better but I very rarely do it. So usually I just take a shower or eat a bowl of cereal.

I would love to live... in Italy. But I would hate to work in Italy. There is no perfect place for me. I would like to live by the sea and watch the sunset behind the ocean every day, and make sure it’s a warm sea so that I could swim there.

At the same time I want to live in the city with a lot of culture and people who are intellectual.

But I can’t think of the city by the sea like that. But if it’s a question of weather versus intellectual environment, I think I would much rather choose the latter.

I detest people... who don’t have manners.

I hate when people don’t say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. When you’re getting on/off a bus and people don’t let you get off first drives me absolutely crazy. But most people hate that stuff, though do it anyway.

The first thing I do in the morning…Well, on the workday I look at my alarm clock and get upset because I hate mornings. I tell myself I’m

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SHSS Magazine

When I hear the word ‘intelligence’… I cringe at the simplicity of such a qualification

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It is very important to understand… that there are many-many people you will never understand.

There are several books that everyone should read before they die. Dante’s Inferno, A Portrait of an Artist as the Young Man (J. Joyce), Madame Bovary (G. Flaubert), The Iliad (Homer), Don Quixote (M. Cervantes). And a lot of poetry: as much poetry as possible. Take it as a serious business that is about enjoyment.

The last day before the Apocalypse I would spend with my loved ones. And I want to swim in the sea. And eat well.

I don’t have enough time… for studying Russian Every man should have in his wardrobe… some clean underwear

All my favorite books are sad, so I don’t know if I would pick one to live in. Dante’s Inferno would be great to go through and see all the dead people and hear from them.

My favorite thing in Astana is how people smile at you and say ‘hello’. I love the informal cab system, when you just stick your hand up and people pull over.

When I read the biographies of people whose works I admire the most, they usually come across as jerks, so I don’t necessarily want to meet them. I think Chekhov would be a nice person to meet. But he wouldn’t understand me because I don’t speak Russian well enough. I would probably ask him what it was like between the age of 12 and 25, and why he decided to begin writing, or what authors were the most formative. Hopefully I would have a better question if I were prepared… Of course I would ask him what his favorite food is, and if he likes borsch as much as I do.

Advice to NU students: slow down! Take time to be bored, to have nothing to do, to be alone with no one around and nothing is happening, to just think about things and observe the world. And dance in public. People should dance and not just at home, where no one’s looking.

Don’t get jaded and travel, travel, travel. Travel as much as you can and read as much as you can, but don’t read crap. Travel to a country in which you don’t know anyone for at least a week with only a backpack and a guidebook.

Alone.

Hard work is everything. Nothing good in your life happens unless you work for that. It includes things like love. But at the same, it is not enough to only work hard. Listen to Scrooge McDuck: “Work smarter, not harder!”

Yekaterina BASKAKOVA

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Here comes the Bride!

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Kazakhstan is a country that embraces contemporary visions and traditions from the past. Both interchangeably exist in the lives of Kazakh people. Probably, Kazakh wedding traditions show the most vividly how Soviet legacy and influence of Western beliefs have peacefully been assimilated into old Kazakh customs.

However, there are some traditions that are almost always strictly followed by.

Some of those are “kuda tusu”, “syrga tagu“, “kyz uzatu”, and “betashar”.

“Kuda tusu” (or, “the matchmaking”): Probably, this is the most important of Kazakh wedding traditions. At this very initial stage, relatives from both sides meet each other. Future groom’s closest relatives, with or without his father, go to the future bride’s house to ask for her parents’ permission for marriage.

The feast: to be honest, the feast almost always is made not for the newlyweds’ pleasure, but for the guests. Several times the tables are changed. “Tamada” leads the festivity; he keeps the connection between the guests through games and competitions.

Sometimes, the domestic singers and dancers are invited to entertain people at the wedding.

“Kyz uzatu” (the girl’s seeing-off): Although this is not the required tradition in the wedding process, almost all of the families make “kyz uzatu” for their daughter. It is the feast where the relatives are gathered together to send away their girl.

“Betashar” (if translated directly, “revealing of the face”): The bride walks in held by her arms at both sides by daughters-in-law. The tradition is usually accompanied with the song where the singer, by groups - from the eldest to the youngest, names all of the relatives present on the wedding. On their side, relatives put money on the appropriately prepared little table covered with bright fabric. After all guests are called, the bride’s face is revealed and the just married have a seat, and the festivity begins.

“Syrga tagu” (putting the earrings in): Groom’s female relative put the golden earrings on to the girl which literally means that from now on she is officially engaged.

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SHSS Magazine

Professors of SHSS on Kazakh Wedding Daniel Pugh “The Kazakh wedding is not that different from the weddings in the West.

However, I thought that on the weddings people tried to kill me by feeding me too much. But I definitely felt very welcomed and honored to be invited”

Richard Engstrom “One thing I remember is the cake with the sparkles around it, which is very unusual where I am from. Also, I was not really ready for that amount of food. I wanted to try beshbarmak because I never had it, but when it came I was so full that I couldn’t make myself eat it. But it was a lot of fun to be there and people were very-very nice”

Jenni Lehtinen “On the wedding I attended everyone had to toast - everyone from each table.

That was very unusual. The other thing that really surprised me was the amount of food because you have the first meal, and then you go out and dance and you come back and more food. There was also lot of dancing and singing”

Christina Pugh “A lot more toasting than we are used to and a lot more food and a lot more eating. I enjoyed seeing the pointy hat (“saukele”- ed.) and planned entertainment for guests, which I was not expecting on the wedding. I did really like the naming of each guest on groom’s wedding. I think that’s really neat having the guest go up and greet the bride and give a small gift as money (“betashar”- ed.)”.

Saltanat SULTANBAYEVA

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AGS Location: “Dnishche”(in the middle of nowhere) Ranking:

DISADVANTAGES

ADVANTAGES •

After a long busy day at university it is

nice to change the environment and leave

the

borders of campus.

• 2-3 students per room: the less the better

• The kitchens served not only as places for cooking but also as perfect space for mass gatherings on birthdays and guitar nights • Although the dwellers might have hated the bus trips, it needs to be acknowledged that

Frankly speaking, you could barely

call

the rooms cozy: primitive furniture and

bare walls and windows all in 3x2 meters room created a gloomy impression.

• The dorm lacked social such as atrium and study rooms.

• It was freezingly during wintertime.

spaces

cold in the rooms

Walls were overly thin • Not only was the water closet aesthetically unpleasant but it was also •

bus rides facilitated interaction and unification of students.

• Only AGS residents had the privilege of

prone to ongoing breakages

free laundry •

•

•

Had to wake up at 7

am to catch

the bus even if your class starts at 11 am

Upon your entering you were met by

friendly apaikas (concierges) 13

SHSS Magazine

“Old” dormitory Location: perfect Ranking:

DISADVANTAGES

ADVANTAGES

• 4 people per room: maybe not an issue for guys from KTL, but could be too infrastructure including ”turchanka”, the many for female part shop, drug store, laundry and medical service • The absence of kitchens • Dorm became the venue for various served as a basis for “girls from NU cannot university activities and social events, cook”-type rumours ranging from birthday parties to KVN contests • Upon your entering you are met by • Boys (and some girls) love the •

Notorious for its social

opportunity to watch football

matches overly ambitious security guards who love the process of ID-checking

together with friends • The rooms are better in contrast to AGS. Enough said.

• Comfy sofas became the beloved spot for “love birds” • The very structure of the dorm facilitated constant movement of people

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“New” dormitory Location: so close to and so far from Block 8 Ranking:

• Notorious for its social infrastructure including ”turchanka”, the shop, drug store, laundry and medical service • Dorm became the venue for various university activities and social events, ranging from birthday parties to KVN contests • Boys (and some girls) love the opportunity to watch football matches together with friends • The rooms are better in contrast to AGS. Enough said.

• Comfy sofas became the beloved spot for “love birds” • The very structure of the dorm facilitated constant movement of people

DISADVANTAGES

ADVANTAGES

• The privilege of living in the newly built dorm comes at the cost

2 is the perfect number for distribution of •

bad internet connection and continuing repair works of

students per room •

Rooms resemble small

• Whether it is the overcoziness of rooms or nonfunctioning of elevators, but the

luxury hotel rooms: mellow

beds, paintings, fancy jalousie, and card switch of electricity.

result is reduced

• Full-length mirrors deserve a separate remark. Now there is no excuse for a poorly matched outfit

social

interaction among students • Once you close the door – it is locked! Never forget the

• The future atrium promises to be formidable (sneak peek suggests there is even a beauty salon, tss!)

key even if you went next door.

Moldir AKHMETOVA Gulzhanat SULTANGAZINOVA

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SHSS Magazine

Most students are fluent in at least 3 languages in NU and freely communicate with members of foreign communities. Why bother with learning more? Here is why! #1 Future employment opportunities.

NU students want to work in international organizations. For example, a friend of mine is learning French to work in the French engineering company Total. IR students also are in the field where knowledge of foreign languages is preferable.

#2 Fun! We want to meet new people and communicate with them freely. We want to sing different songs and know the meaning of lyrics. We want to travel the world and understand what is written in menu or tabloids. And we want to read books in the language of origin.

#3 Study abroad.

Since there are many ambitious students who are going to get into graduate school, some of them consider studying in non-English speaking countries.

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Zhanna Tereshenko SHSS student, who opened Mandarin Chinese Language club, speaks fluently in English, Russian and Kazakh. On top of that, she learns French, Chinese and Spanish. Her grandparents lived in China, so she dreamt of learning Chinese. Zhanna was one of the lucky students who spent time in Shanghai language school this summer. Now she is fascinated by the opportunity of being able to work and live in an absolutely foreign community. Zhanna confessed to FOCUS that: “It is much harder to learn Chinese than Spanish or French”.

Dr Luis Villamia, professor of Spanish “It is more effective to learn language in small groups. What is more, don’t explicitly learn grammar, but use communicative method and focus on 4 skills (writing, listening, speaking, reading).”

Dr Olivia Donaldson, professor of French “I am a proponent of learning in small groups.

At least, in the beginner level learn in group, you should communicate with each other.

But in advanced level maybe it is better to work individually with tutor. By learning any languages obviate translations because you might have awkward phrases. Try to think in that particular language. Don’t be afraid of speaking! Practice is the best of all instructors.”

Language is a tool of communication, a key that opens doors of all communities. Take advantage of the opportunities and the fun that awaits you behind every learned language.

Aidana KASSYMOVA

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SHSS Magazine

Who are you talking to?

Experiment can unveil secrets of the most weird and unpredictable things. Raushan and Katya invented an imaginary friend to see the reactions of the community towards such an unusual game of mind.

A diary of Friendship (October 18—October 25) As you could have probably noticed, this is a story about a friendship that for better or for worse, was not meant to last long. Anvar came into my life, and so a friendship was born. We created Anvar to kill him just in one week, but in those 7 days we wanted him to help us with something very interesting. He did his job very well.

The week-end was spent to get acquainted with him, since when you’re planning to introduce someone very close to others, you’d better get close with him in the first place. After endless and rather enjoyable talks, Anvar was ready to meet the outer world.

Monday morning: We went to have some food and coffee in Eclair. As it turned out, the guy was a fan of pancakes, so he asked me to buy some. That was the first time people looked suspiciously at us. The lady serving the coffee was even irritated, which after all, is quite explainable, since me and Anvar were discussing our order for quite a while.

Observations: Anvar was not particularly well-received by people in the coffee house. Disappointed, he went to the dormitory.

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Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday We decided that Anvar should visit some of my classes. Being a rather unathletic person (no wonder—he ate tons of pancakes), Anvar was constantly falling down, so I had to help him walk. People tried to avoid us and walk by as quickly as possible.

Observations: Getting acquainted with other people was a rather embarrassing experience, and not only for Anvar and me. People couldn’t see Anvar, yet some of them were nice enough and tried really hard to find him, sometimes even with success. The ranks of those rare people

included mostly adults, who as Anvar told me later, were probably quite familiar with the potential forces of ‘overcreativity’.

In fact, their conversations with Anvar were themselves a wonderful product of self-imagination as each of the adults had their own projection of my Anvar. For some he was a philosophical friend, for others he was a potential admirer. Yet interestingly enough, for most of them, he was a small kid, which was not true, and in one case led to the unintentional act of molesting the poor guy.

Expert’s opinion: Y. Bask, Ph.D. in AllKindsOfFriendships: Having an imaginary friend or Carlson Syndrome is quiet common among children under the age of 7. As the statistics shows, 87.7% of English-speaking Kazakh children had an imaginary friend at one point of their lives. However, the aftermath of the experiment of having an imaginary friend in adulthood is ambivalent.

On the one hand, we have a complete shock and misunderstanding from the

general Kazakh public of the University in the face of students and administration.

However, on the other hand, many foreigners admitted the existence of Anvar and forgot their Freudian sublimations.

It is an interesting outcome as it shows how the world of imaginary interacts with the real world and how the border between the two blurs. Everyone who wanted to see Anvar saw him, but as the projection of his/her own imagination.

Yekaterina BASKAKOVA Raushan ABYLKASSYMOVA

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SHSS Magazine

Why are you proud to

In our search for an answer to question “Why a across a variety of opinions. Most popular ans beautiful� and Zhandos Dauletbayev highlighte

Because our level of English Subjects such as is higher than in other mathematics, technologies schools. etc. are good, but actually to know politics, ethics Adilya Zhaxybayeva and other SHSS courses is essential, because you are going to apply it, because it is something real that you Madina Kabdualiyeva will face in your future life.

Because our school gives us more opportunities than other schools in social sector, we participate in more activities. And in general, we are more sociable.

Aizhan Sapar

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be an SHSS student?

are you proud to be an SHSS student” we came swer among males was: “Because our girls are ed that “our girls are the most beautiful in NU”.

Because here everyone seems to be happy, and that makes me feel great.

And also because SHSS has a unique system of education compared to other humanities and social sciences universities in Kazakhstan.

Because I want to become Because to be an SHSS an educated seller in KFC! student means to be really good at critical analysis of events; being able to see Dina Shaikhislam logical connections between things and be aware about current events in the world.

Viktoriya Nem

Yernar Birimzhan Dilyana GAFAROVA

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SHSS Magazine

Exploring Astana

Суровый столичный мороз не позволяет подолгу наслаждаться свежим воздухом во время прогулок по аллеям или набережной. Одним из немногих развлечений в такую погоду остается поход в ресторан или кафе. Одним из самых популярных мест в городе является кафе ‘Rafe. Немного предыстории. Изначально, “Rafe”открылся на правом берегу, недалеко от набережной, в 2011 году. Набрав довольно внушительную клиентуру, и обзаведясь постоянными клиентами, ‘Rafe’ открыл филиал на водно-зеленом бульваре. В настоящее время, третье кафе открылось напротив ТРЦ «Керуен».

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Rafé coffee & food

Во-первых, стоит отметить очень удачное расположение кафе. Посетитель может насладиться отменным кофе и фирменными десертами от шеф-повара Антонио Бедини, после чего отправиться на прогулку по набережной, или водно-зеленому бульвару, что , без сомнений, является большим плюсом для заведений подобного рода. Во-вторых, соотношение цена-качество не может не радовать. Не каждый ресторан (!) в нашем городе может похвастать качественными блюдами Европейской кухни. Очевидно, что специализация на итальянской кухне и высококлассный шеф-повар обеспечивают небольшой кофейне статус ресторана.

Отдельно хочется написать об интерьере. Rafe оформлен в элегантных коричнево-кремовых тонах. Книги на полках и подоконниках придают особый уют. Вкупе с немного приглушенным светом, по вечерам, там создается неописуемая атмосфера, более чем комфортная для свиданий или приятного времяпровождения с друзьями.

Абылай БАТТАКОВ

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SHSS Magazine

Diving deep into politics Nazarbayev University offers a variety of internships for undergraduate students. In the summer of 2013 SHSS offered an internship at the political party “Nur Otan”, which was held with the support of Emin Askerov, as the representative of Nazarbayev University, and Asset Abdualiyev, who represented interests of the party. During a month-long internship interns had an opportunity to dive into the atmosphere of real political party. In the very beginning, I want to assure you, my beloved readers, in the faithfulness of what you will read. Please, remember that all the information here is my own thoughts and feelings since I was also one of the interns of Nur Otan.

What do you usually think of when you hear “political party”. Bureaucracy, paperwork and politicians that make false promises come to mind most frequently. At least, this stereotype took its strong position in Kazakhstani society.

Moreover, it is accepted as truth that the party is dominated by ‘old and corrupted men’.

Some might find my words straightforward and rude, but this is the kind of perception that is existent. I must admit that it is a misperception.

‘Old men’ might have dominated the party some time ago, but today things are not as unpleasant as they are considered. Party consists of many young and creative people, who are trained specialists in their spheres.

The internship that we took on in the party also differed from stereotypical Kazakhstani notion, which is limited to making coffee and

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characteristics are. The final report consisted of all these unique pieces of information and it was based on our advice on how to improve party’s work in media. It seemed natural that party members expected us to give recommendations and criticize the internal party processes.

What I have earned from the internship: Professional development: we met many new people, made new connections and tried to show ourselves from good sides only; Critical management: how to communicate with nervous a ‘boss’ and deal with stress; Personal development: full-time working day from 10 am till 19 pm developed timemanagement and patience.

Regina KASSENOVA dealing with copiers. During this internship we were equal members of the party. Students were busy in different areas: some prepared reports on various meetings with political representatives of other countries such as China and South Korea, some compared the objectives and promises of the party with real actions (reforms, changes or policies regarding the issue); some organized different political seminars, conferences and symposiums.

I was an intern at the department of Mass Media, and my task was to make a research on foreign political institutions by examining their web-activity and social network feeds. I had to find out what information they decide to give to the public and what are their unique

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SHSS Magazine

New Dean

Steven D. Roper Is a new ambitious member of NU community with extensive experience in academic admnistration. While dean Roper is getting used to NU environment and climate of Astana everybody else in SHSS expects great changes.

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How did you come up with an idea to work for Nazarbayev University?

I was interested in moving abroad, I wanted to leave the United States for a while, and to have other experiences.

Have you ever traveled outside of US for a job before?

I have been to 50 different countries. And I’ve been to Kazakhstan before, in 2004 in Almaty and Shymkent, for parliamentary elections. I was working for OECE as an election observer. Shymkent was particularly interesting, because it was summer and it looked like Dallas, Texas.

The city was very hot, but very pretty.

What are your expectations at

the new workplace? What are you intending to change?

I came here to build. To build a school. It is building on all the things that are good about SHSS, but I want to start to design graduate programs (we hope to start two graduate programs next fall), to start the process of hiring new faculty, to build out what will be just like a good western university. The new faculty that we interviewed and we made offers to are very good faculty members, very interesting people. I am going to work really hard to get them to work for NU. What about your area of specialization?

Political science. Specifically, comparative politics of

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Southern Europe (Romania and Moldova). Being in a post-Soviet environment is very common for me. I also work with human rights.

What do you like the most about NU? It is very dynamic, every day there are so many things going on. I believe, NU has a faculty that cares a lot about their teaching, they care about the students. I am excited to get to know the students because I have been extensively teaching in this part of the world and, generally speaking, students from this part of the world are better than their American colleagues: they know several languages, they are more aware of the situation in the world, which is good.

SHSS Magazine

What about things that you would like to change in NU?

students will have so many opportunities.

The bureaucracy. It is not anything specific to NU though, but to the country itself.

What about your political beliefs?

What do you think about the fact that humanities are underestimated in NU? This is also true in America, or Europe. Everywhere in the world humanities students and scholars feel underappreciated. I would argue that the issues that this country is going to be facing will require not specifically the humanities, but the type of thinking that we teach here, in SHSS. What do we do with our money, how do we invest our money, how do we do income distribution that is fair, how do we have money coming to our country without losing our cultural identity. Wealth management is very important to escape resource curse, and this is where our specialists will be priceless.

As a professor of political science, I tend to deemphasize the issues of politics in the classroom because I want my students to freely express their opinions. What I have found during my long years is that it is better to take on a very broad ideology. So I am very apolitical, actually.

different countries, and I never anticipated anything this great as a child. In college I studied physiological psychology. A very different field of study, as you can see.

Do you have a favorite book?

I don’t get to read for pleasure anymore, unfortunately. But when I do, I usually read books about biographies of musicians because I like all kinds of music.

What was the most influential piece of writing for you?

Writings by Henry David Thoreau, an American political philosopher, really influenced me. I would also like to mention classical writers, such as Dickens and Dumas, and their view of different life experiences, which had a profound effect on my formation as a personality.

What is your professional ideology?

Many students in SHSS believe that they will have hard times finding employment? Do you agree?

Could you tell me a few things about your personal background?

No. I think that this economy is only going to continue to grow, and they will need people with skills, with an ability to think, to problem-solve, who have languages, have good writing skills. When you first enter the job market it is indeed tough, but eventually these

I’ve lived in 13 different states, so moving for me is a usual thing. I am used to change, and it comes from my upbringing. My father was a university administrator. As a child, I could never dream of a life that I later lived: I was very lucky to work in 30

Everything is about work ethics and working hard.

Most people are about the same level, give or take, intellectually. But what makes one truly successful is work ethics, hard-work and honesty.

Actually tolerating academic dishonesty hurts the student himself, because no lie can go unnoticed. At some point of his career it may seriously hurt him (her).

Darya TARISHKINA

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Green Design Smart solutions for an afordable bio-environment Over the past several decades, the ratio that is occupied by concreted areas and green spaces is rapidly growing in favor of the former. Environmentalists are warning the public, reminding of the disastrous effects on human health that are caused by the lack of clean air and poor vegetation.

Thus, these reminders are not left ignored: architects plant vegetation right on the facades and roofs of buildings and create skyscrapers out of trees, which even became a form of public art.

Aromatic herbs, fruits and flowers are not the only “green apartment pets”. Several concepts have been invented that combine gardening at home and…aquarium. Here you have a full set of home farming in one package: the fish produce nitrates and fertilize the soil of the plants, while the plants clean air and water in response.

Furniture items and interiors are not left on the sidelines of the global green trend.

Lamps

with

flowers

growing right on top of them, chairs that are wrapped in cases made of dry leaves.

One of the most An ornamental interesting items flowerpot with is a lampshade automatic irrigation created by the is a very practical German studio Grassland. Their lamp is innovation which encircled by a lawn, which grows and lives as enables to save time in a natural environment – it dries, changes its and a plant itself if you color and grows back. forget to water it. Water is kept in a special reservoir that release regular doses of water, as it gets drier.

Interior designers and manufacturers are also making their efforts to make it possible for everyone to create a small ornamental flower garden or a corner for plants.

If you dream about more original types of plants, for instance about fresh herbs and citruses at home, then experts recommend minigreenhouses. These gadgets not only take care of the proper amount of moisture in the soil, but Nature has this property of constant change also control and signal the time that now can be present in every house and for fertilization and provide the bring people closer to the nature. appropriate amount of light using Nazerke SADYKOVA LEDs.

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SHSS Magazine

New Professo Steven Roper

Jee-Kwang Park

Matthew Wilhite

Luis Villamia

Iraj Rahmani

Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Assistant Professor of PS and IR

Assistant Professor of Religious Studies

Assistant Professor of Spanish

Assistant Professor of Economics

Field of study: political institutions like presidency, legislature and courts

Field of study: East Asian Religions, especially Buddhism in China

Field of study: Contemporary Spanish novel and Spanish Cultural Politics

Fall 2013: Game Theory and Politics of East Asia

Fall 2013: Critical Issues in the Humanities and Social Sciences and Chinese Religious Traditions

Fall 2013: Beginning Spanish and Critical Issues in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Field of study: statistical modeling and econometrics and their applications in development, health, and labor economics and policy analysis

Field of study: the design and the implementation of transitional justice with a focus on legal mechanisms

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Fall 2013: Econometrics I

ors at SHSS Christopher Whitsel

John Baltes

Zaier Aouani

Babak Mahmoudi

Yoshiharu Kobayashi

Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology

Assistant Professor of PS

Assistant Professor of Economics

Assistant Professor of Economics

Assistant Professor of IR

Field of study: general equilibrium theory, financial economics, decision theory, and mathematical economics

Field of study: the study of the effects of monetary policy on the economy, the bilateral borrowing-lending relationships between economic agents, and the role of frictions in the monetary transmission mechanism

Field of study: effects of postSoviet transition on the society Fall 2013: Quantitative Methods and Social Foundations of Education

Field of study: international relations theory and its conceptualizations of anarchy, political philosophy and history of political thought Fall 2013: Critical Issues in the Humanities and Social Sciences and Ancient Political Theory

Fall 2013: Industrial Organization

Field of study: economic sanctions, foreign aid and international conflict Fall 2013: Quantitative Methods

Fall 2013: Introduction to Microeconomics

Saltanat SULTANBAYEVA

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SHSS Magazine

STUDY HACK As writers, we wanted to shade a light on something important, something that will significantly improve student life and will make the studying process more enjoyable.

It’s all about concentration, time management and study tips, things that would help us to leave plenty of time to have fun!

1st Use some

during exams). We completely agree with the majority.

However, as Oliver Burkeman noted in his article, despite the fact that smartphones and social networks may be And remember, technology eroding our attention spans, is not the enemy! 90% of there is plenty of apps to students from our sample rebuild it, too. For example, agreed with this opinion: Anti-Social (the application "Smartphones and social blocks access to Facebook networks such as Facebook, and Twitter), or Isolator, which Vkontakte and Twitter erode hides everything on your our attention and make us feel desktop except whatever you less concentrated" (especially are working on.

apps!

2nd Try to use “unschedule” And it is all about appropriate schedule again…

100% of students from the conducted survey agreed that it is important to manage our time properly during our studies, especially during exams. And, approximately 35% of them follow some schedule during their studies.

What should a right schedule include? Should it be in the form of “TO DO” list, plan for the whole week or just the list of assignment dates? There

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is a useful tip for this case again. Anti-procrastination coach Neil Fiore suggests making a weekly schedule showing everything except private study: your lectures, meals, sleep, etc. Using some schedule, especially if it is in the form of to do list, is one of the first steps of appropriate time management. Just write 2 or 3 important things for a day. But do not make your schedule too busy, and full of “to do” things. Do not try to manage every minute, because it would make you feel that life is just work, work and work. And do not forget to include some fun things!

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3rd

Take a break!

One of the answers to a question that asked for an advice for efficient work and better concentration sounded like this: “Have a rest every hour for 15 minutes by walking or looking at green objects”. It’s a great advice, because taking breaks help us to strengthen our attention muscle gradually. In addition to this, you should use a timer to concentrate on work for very short bursts – just four or five minutes, and then take a timed 10-minute break to do whatever you like. You could gradually increase the length of the work bursts.

4th It is all about choosing a right place to study…

Obviously, a distant corner of the library is a better place for focusing than a shared living room. Moreover, according to the StudyHacks Blog of the CalNewport, building a mental association between a physical place and studying will make it easier to slip into a state of focus.

5th “Next Actions” Plan Although, only a small part of our respondents indicated that they do a next actions plan, preparing it could be one of the best study hints. By making the “next actions” plan the night before, you could manage your time much more properly. You’re far more likely to mess around online if you haven’t decided in advance what you are going to work on.

Aizhan SAPAR Aikerim KARGAZHANOVA

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SHSS Magazine

MOVIE REVIEW

Gattaca(1997) Drama, Romance, Sci-fi Imdb: 7,8/10 Kinopoisk: 8,1/10 Director: Andrew Niccol Writer: Andrew Niccol Starring: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) Biography, Crime, Drama Director: Martin Scorsese Writer: Terence Winter (screenplay), Jordan Belfort(book) Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Jonah Hill

The Family Man (2000) Comedy, Drama, Fantasy Imbd: 6,6/10 Kinopoisk: 7,8/10 Director: Brett Ratner Writer: David Diamond, David Weissman Starring: Nicolas Cage, Tea Leoni, Don Cheadle

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“Just remember that I was as good as any, and better than most... I could've gone up and back and nobody would've been the wiser.”

Gattacca is the future perfect world, where people are created in tubes by new genetic technologies. DNA data divides people in “valids” and “in-valids”.

In this social restriction, Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), as an “in-valid”, challenges this stigma to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel. In order to achieve his goal he buys another person’s personality and DNA. The film raises questions about the future perspectives of genetic technologies and how they may impact on human freedom of choice.

“More is never enough.”

This film is based on the memoirs of Jordan Belfort, former broker from New-York city. In 1987, Jordan (Leonardo DiCaprio) by making various financial fraud on the stock exchange, becomes very rich.

After several years the main hero loses all his money and goes to prison. However, in this complicated life situation Jordan manages to overcome himself.

In prison he gives up alcohol and tobacco addiction and writes books on how to become successful. This movie demonstrates the magic power of money and how people cannot get enough, gradually losing the control over their mind…

“What do you need, Jack? I got everything I need.”

At least once in a lifetime everyone faces a life choice that changes the future. Jack Campbell (Nicolas Cage), who made a decision in favor of a successful career, once again meets his first love Kate. Ironically, he has a chance to live his life as an exemplary family man, but time goes and he needs to decide which life scenario he prefers…

Laura SABANBAYEVA

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MUSIC REVIEW

Definitely RAM is not one song album. Each song is a masterpiece. The first song "Give Life Back to Music" is all about music that could you inspire and make move. Beautiful and warm analog sound of stereo era, live drums, soft piano and funky guitar with orchestral introduction. What a great way to begin the album!

"Giorgio by Moroder" is just the greatest concept song. It is built on interview with legendary Moroder, who talks about his life as a musician. The life of Moroder changes over time and so does the music that accompanies his narration. Minute ago you were in early "discotheques" in Germany with funky old disco, a minute after you find

yourself listening to orchestral hard "boom": crazy and masterful guitar solo in mix with orchestral hits and crashes, which is a reference to the masterpiece of Moroder.

"Get Lucky" and "Lose Yourself to Dance" have a lot in common with beautiful Pharrell vocals, but old style funky guitar is a part of Nile Rodgers legendary style. This is another distinctive excellence of the RAM: collaboration with great musicians. Moody vocal by Julian Casablancas in "Instant Crush" along with free and dreamful voice of Todd Edwards on "Fragments of Time" created catchy and vibrant songs which are good for long city walks.

With its direction toward 70s and warm analog sound Daft Punk created an impressive album.

This is really what you can call "good music": not cool, not commercial, not hardcore. Instead, magic melodies, funky rhythms that make you dance atmospheric sound of live instruments that pours heat over your body. Daft Punk making sure that good music is still alive in our hearts.

Adil NUSSIPOV

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SHSS Magazine

Creativity Column

Created by: Valentina Vinokurova

Ночь С покровом ночи дом погружен В безмолвный мрак. Лишь ход часов Мерным биением разбужен, И я не скину дум оков... Зажгу свечу, возьму бумагу И буду с ночью тет-а-тет. Внутри себя найду отвагу Едким сомненьям дать ответ. А после, сбросив груз волнений И взглядом звезды проводив, Обратно с тонких измерений Вернусь, свой дух освободив.

ANONYMOUS

Все в мире загадочном вечно и тленно. Все в мире таинственном имеет конец. Но откуда же нити, что ткут неизменно Вселенную нашу, и кто их отец? Я спросила у Солнца, царя всех светил, Но оно молчаливо мне в душу смотрело. И бесформенный Ветер меня наделил Лишь тишью, прокравшейся в бренное тело... Бесконечной прямой по замкнутому кругу Я иду средь таких же как я… или нет. И вопросы все эти создают бурю, вьюгу Неизвестных мне мыслей, неизвестных мне лет. Загляну ли в глаза твои я в этой жизни? Или лучше направить мне свой взор на себя? Ведь, как ты говорил, все на свете исчезнет, Когда обрету Тебя в своем внутреннем Я. Я не ведаю, слепо блуждаю, надеясь. Я нема и глуха в беседе с тобой. И мне грустно; печаль, светом рассеясь, Не дает со всей страстью ринуться в бой. Но одно знаю точно и без колебаний: Душа моя истиной и любовью полна. И сколько бы ни терпела страданий На веки веков тебе я верна.

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ANONYMOUS

Zhandos Ybrayev

Kamilla Vafina

Togzhan Dyussupzhanova

Akerke Kozhatay

Alibek Salimbetov

Saodat Estiarova

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Inara Tezekbaeva

Madina Bizhanova SHSS Magazine

Alibek Nurkesh

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On cover: Yekaterina PAK "FOCUS" photographer

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