American Councils for International Education hosted a capstone event and a closing ceremony of the Young Professional Internships Program (YPIP) on August 30 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, bringing together 70 participants from all over the country.
Attended by the U.S. Ambassador in Uzbekistan, His Excellency Jonathan Henick, the event celebrated these 70 university students and brought them together with their host companies to showcase their shared dedication to this internship program. It also served as a platform for YPIP participants to network with potential employers and representatives of the host companies.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Henick emphasized the significance of programs like YPIP in providing international students with new perspectives and skill sets. “Internship is a rite of passage for many Americans,” he remarked. “For me, one of the most valuable aspects of being an intern was discovering more about myself and what I wanted to pursue. It’s a great opportunity to determine whether working in a particular field interests you. Even if you finish the experience thinking, 'no, I never want to do this again,' it’s still valuable because you can use that insight to redirect your focus toward other opportunities.”
The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent and American Councils in Uzbekistan have implemented YPIP since 2020, influencing the professional careers of 169 students across four cohorts. In 2024, the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent and American Councils worked with 30 host companies in financial technology, marketing, and engineering, as well as international and local non-governmental organizations.
In addition to their internship responsibilities, participants attended 19 development sessions with international and local experts. Through these events, interactions with industry leaders, and collaboration within their cohort, YPIP interns create a robust network of peers and professionals. YPIP also provided the interns with business mentors, ensuring a meaningful and positive internship experience. For host organizations, YPIP offered the chance to welcome driven, English-speaking interns during the summer. These interns delivered adaptable, short-term assistance with important tasks, gave junior staff a chance to develop leadership skills, and introduced new perspectives to the host organizations.
Upon successful completion of the internships, 84% of program participants received job offers from companies, with 74% reporting that participating in YPIP influenced their job acceptance.
A 2024 YPIP participant shared that his experience on the program enhanced his leadership and project management skills, and improved his self-confidence, saying “YPIP has provided me with the most professional work experience—I can confidently say that it will benefit my future studies and career. Even now, I see progress and improvement in my resume, elevator pitches, and leadership skills in organizing various projects.”
American Councils for International Education congratulates the YPIP Cohort 4 alumni on their hard work and dedication. We look forward to witnessing how these young professionals will continue to develop as leaders in their communities.
The Young Professional Internships Program (YPIP) is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent and implemented by the American Councils for International Education.