Face to Watch

After 14 years as a television producer for CNN and CBS, winning awardsand filling countless Starbuckspunchcards, Marika Olsen '83 hit 40and found herself asking the big midlifequestions. Her version of the redsportscar: moving to Uzbekistan.Since December Olsen has been thecountry director for Intemews, anonprofit group that fosters freepress in emerging democracies. Herwork is a constant struggle. Uzbek' journalists face torture, jail time andshutdown should they displease therepressive government. Self-censorshipis rampant. With a staff of 40,Olsen serves as executive producerof a national newsmagazine showand is also starting an independenttelevision network. Her experiencesadjusting to a foreign culture rangefrom frustrating to amusing: Heatand hot water are intermittent, menand women are never friends, and amanager who asks for candid feedbackfrom employees must be part ofa conspiracy. (She also confessesthe continual crowing of roostersoutside her office window can be annoying.) To read more about Olsen'sUzbek hijinks, visit her blog,www.uzbekistandiary.com.Julie Sloane '99