It is a dream of every student to study aboard. But it is worth to take in consideration that, everyone studying aboard is an image for the country she is representing. The interlocutors of 1905.az for this time are 3 Azerbaijani students, studying aboard. One of them is back in the homeland for vacation, while the rest two fellow-countrymen are still continuing their education in foreign countries.
Elnur Quliyev: has graduated from faculty of commercial and social sciences in the University of Western Breton, France in 2013. He has been living in France for 5 years.
Adil Aliyev: is living in China for the last 1 year. At the present time Adil takes Master Program (business and journalism) in Pekin. He has received his Bachelor Degree (specialty: translator Arabic-English) in Egypt.
Latifa Bayaliyeva: is student of Lund University attached to City of Lund. She is the student of Medical Faculty and has completed the third year of Bachelor education. For the information it would be appropriate to remind that Latifa has accomplished her last two years of high-school in Sweden.
To the question of selection of countries like France, China and Sweden our 3 students answered that- they are very satisfied with their choices and that there was not any specific reason for selection of countries.
What is the imagination of students about Azerbaijan in the actual country?
Do they recognize Azerbaijan?
Elnur: Yes, they do. Generally there are more who do recognize than those who do not. Especially after the Eurovision Song Contest there came many personal comments like “what a beautiful city you have” and so on. But of course there are even those who do not know where the country is situated.
Adil: You know, China is a huge country and population down here is no secret to anyone. That’s why it is hard to answer the question if they do recognize Azerbaijan or not. But those students, who are educating themselves, certainly know. For instance I cannot tell the same thing about Egypt. In spite the fact that Azerbaijani Embassy is very active in Egypt, both in events and managements and even in relationships with the students. Still there are few in Egypt who knows Azerbaijan. In any case, I am telling what I have experienced.
Latifa: I would like to tell that there are Nobel brothers who mostly have made us known in Sweden and generally in the Scandinavia. And it has a long history as you all know. Unfortunately Azerbaijan is mostly known as a former Soviet country, in Sweden. They do not have that much information about our culture.
Armenians living aboard are mostly tended to be friends…
-What about Armenia? We always hear about that Armenian lobby is strong. Is it really so? Do they recognize Armenia or Armenians?
If we take in count the statement “Armenian Lobby is strongest in the France” it would be best to begin with Elnur.
Elnur: it is already five years that I have been living in France. Before my coming to France, I have always heard that France is a pro-Armenian country and that Armenian lobby is strong here. Armenian propaganda machine is always in act. But after my coming a certain time passed and I realized that all I have heard before was just a myth. I think that, the reason is Armenians who have emigrated here in 60’s and 70’s and there are French-born Armenians who have created the myths. Probably a large number of those are working in Governmental Organizations and promote Armenia. And this may create a picture as like France is a pro-Armenian country. They almost do not recognize Armenia. I do not agree with the idea that France is a pro-Armenian country, because I have never come across of such a thing.
According to Adil and Latifa, one and most important promotion methods of Armenians is to take advantage of falsified names.
Adil: Firstly I would like to talk about Egypt, where I have lived for 4 years. Yes, they do recognize Armenians in Egypt. They (Armenians) have a cultural center in Cairo and their propaganda machine is very much in act. There are also people who are aware about our conflict. But I have to say that I have seen very few Armenians in Egypt. I also have to note that Azerbaijanis are very active in Egypt as well. We have good relationships between the countries. For instance there is a street named after Azerbaijan. Commonly there are many Egyptians who come to Azerbaijan for education.
But I cannot tell the same thing about Pekin. Pekin is a big city, many investors from all corners of the world come here to launch business facilities and realize business projects. You can certainly meet a person from every country. But when it comes to Armenia, I have not seen any Armenian student in Pekin. It can depend on that it is short time that I am here. Probably they are in other cities and universities.
Latifa: I think one and most important promotion methods of Armenians is to take advantage of false names. For instance I have an experience when a “French” girl with French name and surname tried advocate Armenia. Nevertheless she was not alike a French. I have also seen many Armenians with Swedish surnames. They can only realize their purposes in such similar ways. When it comes to Armenians that I have met, most of them are tended to be friends. When the subject turns to politics they try to avoid it. It does not refer only to Armenians living in Sweden but also in Russia and Turkey.
Adil: I totally agree with Latifa. Usually Armenians living aboard are tended to be friends with us. There can be some ugly purposes behind their friendship, I cannot tell that. When you come across Armenians and subject turns to politics namely Nagorno-Karabakh they avoid questions and historical subjects. I was going to a course in Egypt. We had some Armenians in our class. They were receiving education there and were very active. We even did have some conversations about politics. But they tried to avoid the subject. I have seen very few Armenians in Egypt and I think there is a reason for it. Once a teacher in University told that, they do not put Armenian students in the same class as Azerbaijanis. There may be a conflict occurred.
Generally, during the period of your education, have you ever taken part in any international seminar or conference? Have you met any participants from Armenian delegation? What kind of reactions do they have?
There was neither an Armenian delegation in seminars nor a subject referred to politics. So we never have faced any conflicts.
Adil: I have been in many seminars. But because of subject has usually been about Arabic language I have never experienced anything like that. It may also have relation with that there were never Armenian participants there.
Elnur: Even though I have met Armenians, but subject in seminars as Adil said has never been politics so I have never experienced any conflicts. But there are many Azerbaijani students who have experienced unpleasant events. I have heard about such cases that happen to youth from Paris, Leon and Strasburg.
Latifa who has experienced a conflict with a girl who had Armenian origins, with respect to the subject of Nagorno-Karabakh claims that she has been provoked.
Latifa: I have been through this once and it has resulted in unpleasant consequences. In the second year of my education I got invited to an international Assembly. Students from all over the world should present their countries by giving information about foreign and internal policy and about some meaningful historical events. They should also express some ideas for global world. Suddenly, I noticed the nose of Louise (member of French delegation) who was sitting right in front of me (Eagle-nose is specific for Armenians as well as for the majority of Caucasian population).
When it was my turn, after a brief information about my country’s weather and geographic location I started with the most important namely Nagorno Karabach. I began my speech with “20% of Azerbaijan’s territory is under occupation” when it felt like Louse got some electro-shock through her body. She stood immediately up and declared: “this is inappropriate for today’s discussion, could we pass over it?!”
It was the moment when I realized the fact that, she was not aware of the European code of ethic and this girl was not directly French. My tone was gradually rising forcing me to more emotional speech. When the idea of –I have been provoked- hit me, it was already late. After this we took the way to the rector’s room. He said “After the words that Louise said you could pay attention and give some explanations, mutual respect is most important.” The subject of “Mutual respect” lasted long and resulted in the form of penalty cut off from my scholarship.
There are probably other fellow-countrymen who have experienced similar cases with Armenians.
Azerbaijan is known as a petrol country
What do you think an Azerbaijani student aboard should do for her/his country’s promotion in foreign countries? Have you done anything in this respect? And which plans do you have for future?
Elnur: I have promoted my country as much as I could during these 5 years in France. I have had musical education and have been engaged into music since I was a child. It is true that I do not have that much time but I do spend time with it now and then. I remember a case when I was at an event in France. I was among the participants. I represented my country with “Sari Gelin” then and afterwards emphasized over and over that the song (Sari Gelin) is Azerbaijani.
There are many plans for future. One of those plans is to be the Co-Founder in the establishment of Azerbaijan Organization in this region. Because there are few Azerbaijanis in Kemper and this may be the reason why people do not have that much information about Azerbaijan. My biggest wish is to create a Student Fellowship Society in regard with our country, in Kemper. I think, if there will be a fellowship society or organization like this, it will make it easier to come in contact, to create wider relationships and make events to promote our country. France is a big country, despite the fact that we Azerbaijanis are not many, we still have limited connection.
Adil: Like my other student fellows, I have also tried and promoted my country in presentations and events, especially in my university. I have taught those who did not know and have always tried to put up those people.
But I think the main form of propaganda is behavior. We should not forget the promotion through behavior. It is very important. A student with good behavior can form a positive view of her country. And main side of promotion is about students being active aboard. We have to try to be active and take part in events. In every event that we participate we are counted as we have done something for Azerbaijan.
Latifa: As Adil said, I think the main propaganda is the behavior of students aboard. This really matters. We can form a good opinion about Azerbaijan with fine ethics and behavior. I have seen many Azerbaijani students who have contributed to establish good opinion toward our country, I feel very proud to know that there are such people. As you know there is a big immigration flow into Europe. There are already some prejudice about the Africans, Pakistanis and Afghans. As far Azerbaijan is known as an oil-rich country, I always try to prove that we Azerbaijanis do not lag behind and there are many things that you should learn from us.
Elnur: I do absolutely agree with the thoughts of Latifa. When they get to know that I am Azerbaijani, there always appears reactions like “You come from oil-rich country”.
I wish you all luck in your future education and plans. Thank you very much!
Aynur Huseynova
1905.az