Internship abroad - important part of learning process

I entered the Academy of Public Administration under the RK President, the Institute of Public and Local Administration in 2008. Before entering the Academy, I worked in the Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning as an expert of the Department of the Strategic Analysis and Planning. Quite recently ten other students and I have come back after internship in the London School of Economics and Political Science. Internship abroad is an important part of the learning process in the Academy aimed at broadening students? minds and studying international experience in public administration. Despite the financial difficulties the Government of Kazakhstan maintains funding of education. Thereby, master program students of the Academy got a chance to train abroad. Heads of the Academy and personally Rector Bakhyt Yessekina made every effort to arrange internship in such prestigious educational institutions as the London School of Economics and Political Science, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore. The first ten students who successfully passed the IELTS test were sent to the London School. During the period of March 16-30 we took the course on ?Contemporary problems of public sector management and international political economy? that met the needs of the Kazakhstan side and covered European and British experience in the sphere of public sector reforming, parliamentarism, local governence, public administration, transatlantic relations, world economy and competitiveness. The London School of Economics and Political Science founded in 1895 is a world class educational centre specializing in teaching and research in social, political and economic sciences. 16 academic departments, 7 inter-disciplinary institutes and more than 30 research centers are functioning in the School. According to the 2008 rating the London School of Economics and Political Science was among top universities of Great Britain and the world. Among its graduates are 15 Noble laureates in economy, literature and struggle for peace. Besides, 32 incumbent and former heads of the states studied or lectured there. The library of the London School is the largest one in the world, especially in social sciences. The library stock counts around 4 mln books and issues. The two-week courses were quite intensive. Along with individual lessons, held for our group, we also participated in the general lectures, together with the students and guests of the School. Professors and PhDs of the School delivered lectures in interactive and available form. Following the courses the master programs students wrote individual essays on the topics chosen from the list of the School program ?International Political Economy?. They defended group work on implementation of state-private partnership in healthcare and railway sector in Great Britain and passed a final test. They were handed out certificates of the London School of Economics and Political Science and I was awarded the title of the best student of the group. The differences between our countries, both in education and social life, became evident for me from the very beginning. On the one hand, the British are specific in human relationships, democracy and tolerance, politeness and respectful attitude towards people, observance of social rules. To my mind, human capital plays a crucial role in any country?s development. Sustainable development of Kazakhstan is impossible without deep self-consciousness and firm citizenship. Everyone should begin with themselves - cultivate high moral character, and create a favorable psychological climate around themselves. I am confident, any reforms in our country will be realized much faster and more efficiently if we manage to revive our society.