On August 11, the closing ceremony of the CLS Turkish program, a joint project of the US Department of State and the US Department of State, was held by the Vice-Rector for International Relations, Associate Professor Jale Garibova at the Azerbaijan University of Languages (AUL).

Rector of AUL, Acting member of ANAS, honored scientist Kamal Abdulla said he hoped that the university had become a good place for American students. Expressing gratitude to the US Embassy in Azerbaijan and other organizations supporting the arrival of students in Baku, Abdulla said they are pleased with their choice of Baku. He said the university did not spare its efforts to learn whether to study Turkic language or to re-come to AUL for other purposes. Noting that learning Turkish language is a great opportunity for the students to have a great Turkish culture and to have enough ground to feel the integrity of our world, K.Abdulla said that the days they spent here were a warm component of US-Turkish relations. Noting that today Azerbaijan has united different cultures in its own place, great work has been done to make the people of different languages feel comfortable and perspective, K.Abdulla said that numerous international events held in our country prove that. K.Abdulla said that he is glad that people from different parts of the world are coming to Azerbaijan and that the country is already recognized in the world. He said that such a multicultural and tolerant atmosphere existed in Azerbaijan historically, and will continue to be further developed by the state at present. He said he believes that Baku will live forever in their young memories and that they will not forget them. K.Abdulla said that they had friends waiting in Baku, and wished them success in their lives and success in their future activities.

Prof. Afgan Abdullayev, AUL Vice-rector for Educational Affairs, said that the American students have the opportunity to study the Turkish language as well as to visit some sights of the country. Expressing his confidence that students will improve their Turkish language knowledge during the program, Abdullayev wished them success in their future activities.

 Representative of the US Embassy in our country, Heidi Smith, thanked everyone who contributed to the study of the Turkish language of American students. Stating that this program is important, H. Smith spoke of language as an important factor in communicating, expressing himself, and exploring other cultures. Talking about the advantages and opportunities created in this program, H. Smith expressed her confidence that American students will contact the embassy and other organizations.

Director of the American Consulate in Azerbaijan Jody Blakeneship and resident director for American students Katherine Bobbitt expressed their gratitude to the assistants in the work and wished success to program participants.

Later, the teachers of the Turkish language, as well as the parents who were visiting their home, shared their views on American students.

At the closing ceremony a video of American students on various historical monuments in Baku and in the regions, and a video of a series of photos taken during the lesson were shown.

Then, American students studying Turkish language watched poems, staging, songs, stories and dances in Turkish.

At the end gifts were presented.

It should be noted that American students studying Turkish language visited museums and other sights in Baku during the program. Within the framework of visits to other regions of the country, students have been closely acquainted with the historical monuments, customs and traditions of those areas. Lectures on language and culture were also organized during the program.

It should be noted that within the CLS Turkish program started on June 14, 27 American students learned Turkish language within 8 weeks.