Major: Motion Picture/Television
During his second year of university in his home country of Azerbaijan, Orkhan Gayibov was presented with an unexpected opportunity.
“I got a call from an employee of the Media Development Agency saying that there is a U.S. State Department-funded program for one year in the U.S. that provides education in the field of media and communications,” he said. “This was a lifetime opportunity for me to study in the United States. I wasn’t brought up in a rich family and wouldn’t even consider it a fact to study in the U.S., since I basically couldn’t afford that. Since I spoke a bit of English, I wanted to try my best to get accepted.”
Community College Initiative Program
The Community College Initiative Program provides underserved and underrepresented students from around the world with full scholarships that cover housing, tuition and a monthly stipend for one academic year of study at a community college. Gayibov needed to act quickly, as he received the call two days before the deadline. He immediately started working on the extensive application and submitted it 45 minutes late, still hoping to get an answer—which he did.“I got a call from the embassy of the U.S. offering an interview, and when I passed the interview, I collected all my documents, and the final step was to depart from windy Baku to windy Chicago,” he said. “But I knew that if I got this chance, I should use it no matter what. Well, I did, and I’m happy with the results.”
College of DuPage is one of a handful of community colleges across the country that participates in the CCI program. Gayibov studied media through the Motion Picture/Television program, which tied into his major of journalism at Baku State University.
COD is great for new friendships and career opportunities.
Orkhan Gayibov
“The idea of reporting information 24/7 for people and making it understandable for most of the viewers or readers is what drives me in my profession,” he said. “At COD, the excellent education and interesting study methods let me deeply understand my major and learn much more than just a theory. We did a lot of practice, writing articles, doing news reports and even live programs.
“From a personal perspective, I earned lifetime friends, with whom I’m still in touch. It was a great year, and, oh my God, I have a lot of memories—I guess I could write a book.”
Gayibov graduated with a certificate from the U.S. State Department for successful completion of a non-degree study program and professional development in the field of media as well as CCI program certificate of achievement for successfully completing 93 hours of community service during the program year.
After returning to Azerbaijan, Gayibov began a full-time job at Azerbaijan Television (AzTV), the biggest and oldest national television network in the country. He works as a reporter and an anchor for an English news program.
“I interviewed Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg, and for me it’s a big achievement. Having my COD experience helps me professionally every day, and I am grateful for it.”
His dream is to open his own news agency, and he knows his experience at COD through the CCI program helped him get one step closer.
“COD is great for new friendships and career opportunities,” Gayibov said. “Along with an excellent education, which provides all necessary knowledge for your major, you also get a time full of joy and happiness, since there are so many nice people around. Also, remember my favorite quote: ‘Never regret that you are not a someone of someone. Try to become someone for someone.’”
Learn more about the Motion Picture/Television program at College of DuPage