world scholar > filip profile

Interview by B. Delancy

WS: As an international student, studying in the United States isn’t foreign at all. You were here before as an exchange student. Tell us about it.

Filip Zafirovski: Yes. In 2003 I participated in a scholarship summer program for high school students from Southeast Europe called SEEYLI (Southeast Europe Youth Leadership Institute). This program was a wonderful opportunity to meet young people from the Southeast region of Europe and from the USA. That was my first time in the US. I really had an amazing time. [That experience] helped me become more involved in the civil society development and to become a better leader that will help the NGO sector in Macedonia. Working on different projects within the organizations that I’m involved in, my excellent knowledge of English and my excellent academic success helped me to be selected to participate in the Undergraduate Exchange Program of the Open Society Institute. This is a very prestigious scholarship program because you get a full scholarship that covers all the expenses for all academic year including pocket money and transport to and from the US.

WS: How does that 2003 visit differ from your current stay as a college student in the US?

Filip: When I was in the US in 2003 I stayed for a month; It was a summer program with academic components but this time I’m a full time student at Bard College which is quite different. I will be here for the whole year and in addition to my studies I have other obligations for fulfilling the objectives of the UEP scholarship. I have to maintain my excellent academic success, fulfill at least 25 hours of community work per semester, attend the two scholarship conferences with the other UEP scholarship fellows and conduct a follow-up project in Macedonia when I’ll get back. It is more demanding but in the same time really interesting and useful for my education, my professional career and my personal development.

WS: When you went back to Macedonia, was it always your intent to return to the US to study?

Filip: When I got back in Macedonia from the SEEYLI program I was thinking of continuing my education somewhere abroad but due to financial matters I wasn’t able and usually the universities don’t give full scholarships for international students. Therefore, I finished high school and I chose [to focus on] French, Spanish and Literature. I’ve always been fond of languages but I’m also very interested in international affairs and diplomacy, that’s why I’m planning on continuing my education at graduate level in that field. I think that languages and politics are a very good combination that makes a good professional career.

WS: What are you up to now?

Filip: Now I’m a full time student at Bard College and I’m doing a specialized program in international affairs in NYC. The name of the program is BGIA (Bard Globalization and International Affairs) which is a program within Bard College and besides classes in international affairs includes an internship placement at a leading international affairs organization in NYC.

I’m the first student from Macedonia that attended this program. I’m interning in the office of the congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and working in the constituents’ service department in her office in New York City.

WS: Why Bard? Are you receiving any financial aid?

Filip: When I applied for the scholarship I didn’t apply for a specific university or college. When you actually fulfill all the necessary criteria and become a finalist for the scholarship your application is sent to the schools that participate in the exchange and according to your GPA, your TOEFL score and the recommendations based on the interview, the schools choose you, because they also participate financially in supporting you as a student. I’m really happy to be at Bard College!

WS: Did you encounter any difficulties obtaining a visa or entering the country?

Filip: No, because this is a very well established scholarship program and I had all the necessary documents for my stay in the US though the rules and regulations for entering the country are quite strict.

WS: What’s your overall opinion of studying in the US? Would you recommend it?

Filip: My experience in the US so far is extremely positive and interesting. We all know that the American educational institutions are some of the best in the world; therefore being part of this system will help you open many doors in your life. You are not only learning for the cultural and civilization values of the country but in the same time you learn many things about yourself which helps you become a better person.

I’ve traveled quite a lot so far and I must say that traveling and getting to know new countries and cultures is the best lesson that one can learn in understanding the different cultural horizons and I strongly recommend it.