The room was buzzing with excited voices. I was surrounded by proud parents, eager teenagers and experienced professionals who had gathered in Kyiv to celebrate another summer of successful internships for Ukraine Global Scholars (www.ukraineglobalscholars.org).
Ukraine Global Scholars (UGS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Cambridge, Mass., that helps talented Ukrainian students from low-income backgrounds get full scholarships to attend educational institutions in the United States. However, the program goes well beyond support during the application process. It is a vibrant community – more like family – that encourages me to explore my passions and contribute to the development of the broader communities in Ukraine. Every summer UGS alumni return from MIT, Phillips Academy Andover, The Lawrenceville School, Haverford College, and many other notable educational institutions to Ukraine in order to apply the skills and knowledge gained during the academic year.