Graduate student makes a cultural connection from Azerbaijan to SDSU

Vagif Qiyasli traveled 7,300 miles from his home in Azerbaijan to study at San Diego State University, where he is the only student from his country on campus this Spring.

Though he is the only one, he is not alone.

Of the roughly 1,200 international students enrolled this semester at SDSU, 28 are the sole representative from their homeland studying at the university. They come from places as close as Aruba and Barbados to as far away as Madagascar and Nepal.

The SDSU community will get a taste of Azerbaijan’s culture and customs on May 2nd when Qiyasli hosts the Cultural Hour at noon in the International Student Center.  

Cultural Hours have been a staple at SDSU for decades. Each Friday during the academic year, international students showcase their traditions and heritage through presentations, storytelling, activities and cuisine.

For SDSU, Cultural Hours provide the platform for cultural exchange not only between international students but also domestic students, which aligns with the university's goal of developing graduates prepared for global careers. Certain U.S. visa programs strongly encourage international students to share their cultures and ideas with American peers to build relationships and broaden global perspectives.

“For those students who don’t have the opportunity or the access to study abroad, Cultural Hours are a different way to build internationalization,” said Ricky Paniagua, director of the International Student Center (ISC.) “Students often end up meeting new friends from international spaces that they never would have otherwise.”

Paniagua urges international students representing nations with small cohorts on campus to host Cultural Hours. The ISC provides significant help with getting the word out and preparing materials and activities to support presenting students. These efforts often are led by ISC student assistants, many of whom are international students themselves.

Qiyasli’s journey to SDSU is rooted in personal discovery and a desire to advance his country. A secular state of 10 million people, Azerbaijan straddles Eastern Europe and West Asia. Qiyasli comes from the capital, Baku, which he describes as a vibrant, ancient city where the Maiden Tower, a 12th century landmark that’s part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, co-exists with  buzzing restaurants and shops of Nizami Street and a trio of modern Flame Tower skyscrapers, with architecture and nightly illuminations symbolizing the country’s nickname as “The Land of Fire.”

If overseas visitors asked for directions in Azerbaijan, locals would likely drop everything to help,  invite them to a meal and maybe even organize an itinerary for the remainder of their trip, says Qiyasli.

“Azerbaijan has very welcoming people, hospitable people,” he adds. “I would like everyone in the world to visit Baku and Azerbaijan.”

Qiyasli, who speaks Azerbaijani, Turkish, Russian and English, earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University and interned at a power grid operator.

During his undergraduate studies, Qiyasli worked as an event organizer and content creator, helping to bring prominent academic, technology and industry speakers to Azerbaijan universities. He also gained experience in the sales field but decided to pursue a master’s degree in electrical engineering instead.

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That led him to SDSU, where he enrolled this fall and works as a teaching assistant in the electrical and computer engineering department.  He chose the university after researching higher education institutions across the globe. He is leaning toward pursuing a doctorate but may enter the workforce after completing his master’s degree. 

“I am here in the United States to learn,” he says. “I have some ideas about solar panels and renewable energy. If I can learn something and help in this field of renewable energy, I can help all over the world. But my first purpose for these things is to help my country.”

Last October, Qiyasli presented during the Cultural Hour for Turkey, introducing guests to Turkish history, culture and traditions. Azerbaijan and Turkey share a similar language and have a deep societal kinship. The talk led to planning for a Cultural Hour featuring Azerbaijan.

Qiyasli likes the vibe of San Diego, the weather, and the people. He finds college life interesting but very different from Azerbaijan. By representing his country at the Cultural Hour, he hopes to provide a better understanding of life in a small country that’s probably not top of mind for most American college students.

“The U.S. has a different culture,” he said. “When I first came here, I was shocked. Now I understand. I prefer both. Sometimes, you have to be like the United States, and sometimes you have to be like Azerbaijan.  But my heart is Azerbaijan.”