Home and Away With Alex Dwornikowski

INTERVIEW WITH ALEX DWORNIKOWSKI

Alex Dwornikowski has lived in Upper Makefield Township since 2012, and he says it has shaped much of his upbringing. Dwornikowski graduated from the University of Delaware in 2024 with a major in Asian Studies and minors in Russian and history. He was accepted into the Fulbright Program as an English teaching assistant in Kazakhstan in 2025 and will return to the country this school year. In between his adventures abroad, Upper Makefield remains his home base. Here he talks about his experiences at home and away.

How did you come to live in Upper Makefield Township?

I was born in Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, in September 2001, and was adopted as a baby by my American parents. I was raised in Bucks County and grew up with little connection to my birth country beyond the knowledge of where I came from. That distance is part of what has made returning to Kazakhstan as an adult feel so significant.

What is the Fulbright Program?

The Fulbright Program is a group of cultural exchange programs that are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. It was founded in 1946 by Sen. J. William Fulbright with the goal of building mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through education and exchange. I applied for the English Teaching Assistant Program grant in 2024.

Why did you choose to go to Kazakhstan as part of the program?

I wanted to return to Kazakhstan to reconnect with my roots and better understand the country I was born in. I also chose Kazakhstan because I had studied Russian throughout college and wanted the opportunity to put that language to practical, everyday use. I was placed in Kostanay, a city in the north of the country, where I spent my first year teaching and will return for a second year.

My job includes teaching university-level English classes and participating in teacher conferences and professional development throughout the region. I also run events at Kostanay’s American Corner, which is a part of a public diplomacy initiative run by the U.S. State Department.

How would you describe your experience living in Kazakhstan?

Being back in the country of my birth, I did not know what to expect when I returned, particularly how I would be perceived by locals given my background. Since I have no memories from infancy, the experience felt entirely new upon arrival, though it was accompanied by an underlying sense of connection that is difficult to fully explain.

What stands out about the culture is that Kazakh hospitality is notably warm and generous, and it left a strong impression on me throughout my time there. The cuisine has been one of the highlights of daily life, including delicious dishes like beshbarmak (horse meat over noodles), manti (dumplings filled with meat or pumpkin), and Kazakh chocolate.

What did you love about growing up in Upper Makefield Township?

My favorite spots and activities in the township include Bowman’s Hill Tower, often paired with dinner at Bowman’s Tavern afterward, as well as Washington Crossing Historic Park. I also particularly enjoy driving past the farms along Woodhill Road, which captures much of what makes the township feel peaceful and scenic.

Having grown up here, I’ve come to appreciate the way the landscape and the historical landmarks throughout the area give the township a distinct character that I don’t take for granted, especially after spending time living abroad.

Photograph courtesy of Alex Dwornikowski