No Boundaries: In Teaching or in Life

With shockingly bright red hair, a nose piercing, and a mischievous grin, Elizabeth Peverly looks like she would be more at home in New York’s trendy lower East Side than standing in front of twenty young students in a country often characterized as one of the most conservative in the world.

But this woman is about defying boundaries. An AUAF English as a Foreign Language instructor, Peverly is an integral part of the University’s Foundation Studies Program, which prepares students for the rigors of the English-language AUAF Undergraduate Program. In the first years of her teaching career she has lived in countries that many friends from her home state, Washington, would never think about visiting, much less living: Pakistan, India, and now Afghanistan.

Peverly grew up a world away from her current location: a small town in the United States, near Seattle, Washington. Peverly is no stranger to travel, though. "My parents met while abroad in Germany. My mother, Susan, encouraged me to experience life overseas." Growing up, there were frequently exchange students living in her house, an experience that left a lasting impression on the family. "My brother, Matt, also traveled overseas, but to Japan."

The students: diligent and hard-working

Why move to Afghanistan? "One of my first experiences with Afghanistan was teaching Afghan refugees in Pakistan. I was impressed by how motivated they were." Of her current students, she tells a similar story: "My students are surprisingly consistent. They’re diligent, hard-working, and motivated throughout the term."

"Language teaching at AUAF focuses on the students. They’re expected to ask questions, play games, and be engaged. That’s how language teaching is most effective."

"Elizabeth really pushes her students to improve," said Ms. Masuma Ibrahimi, a former student of Peverly’s. "Every student learns a lot in her class."

Peverly presents an informative illustration of a key strength amongst the faculty and staff of AUAF: distinguished academic backgrounds – in her case a Master of Arts from Columbia International University - in combination with an earnest desire to contribute to the revitalization of Afghanistan.

"I believe in why we’re here, in the vision of the University. Providing high-level education that’s accessible to all is an important goal." She pauses thoughtfully. "But we need to have a greater reach. A greater impact."

As one of the first instructors at AUAF, Peverly has had the pleasure of seeing her students, who once struggled to refine their English under her tutelage, pass the TOEFL and enroll in AUAF’s Undergraduate Program.

"It’s great to see my old students coming to class every day, carrying their books, going to the library, getting an education."

Amongst her fondest hopes is that her students are able to achieve their individual ambitions. "I had one student who wants to be the president of the country. I hope he does it, or comes as close as possible." On the other hand, some just want opportunities. "Right now they have to depend on others," she points out, referring to development programs that, while generous, are too often short-lived. "Before long I hope they can depend on themselves."

"That’s what we’re doing here."