Nicole Capaldo is a James Madison University graduate who studied International Affairs. As a Rishta Fellow, she served as an English Teacher at Andijan State Institute of Foreign Languages (INAS) in Andijan, Uzbekistan in the Fall 2025 semester.

During her fellowship, Nicole focused on English conversation practice and building student confidence in speaking. She taught classes and held conversation clubs twice a week. These clubs emphasized cultural exchange, where Nicole shared American culture and traditions while learning about Uzbek customs. She also developed themed weekly activities that encouraged real-world communication practice.

Nicole has a strong passion for working with other cultures across Asia. Before the Rishta Fellowship, she studied Thai as a Boren Scholar in Chiang Mai, Thailand and worked as Program Coordinator for James Madison University’s Center for Global Engagement’s Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). Her professional interests include international education, humanitarian affairs, and international development.

During her time in Uzbekistan, Nicole traveled to Bukhara, Tashkent, and Kokand. She is currently serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in a small community outside Bangkok.