Rochester Ukrainian Federal Credit Union supports student internships in Washington (09/15/02)

Rochester Ukrainian Federal Credit Union supports student internships in Washington

by Miriam Bates

WASHINGTON - The Rochester Ukrainian Federal Credit Union sponsored the internship of Russell Sage college student Tonya Kornylo at the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation office in Washington this past summer.

Ms. Kornylo, a junior majoring in political science at Russell Sage, learned about USUF's Internship Program from her friend, Tamara Denysenko, general manager and CEO of the Rochester Ukrainian Federal Credit Union and member of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation's board of directors. Upon acceptance to the foundation's Internship Program, the RUFCU awarded Ms. Kornylo a $2,000 stipend for her housing and living expenses incurred during the internship.

Ms. Kornylo's internship responsibilities included research on the problem of illegal human trafficking in Ukraine, with hopes of the eventual development of an anti-trafficking project which would provide education to the population, relief services and medical care through direct assistance and collaboration with NGOs in Ukraine.

The internship also introduced Ms. Kornylo to public policy, international affairs and U.S.-Ukraine relations. She and the five other USUF interns attended briefings and tours at places like the U.S. Capitol, the Department of State, the Helsinki Commission, the Embassy of Ukraine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.

Since the successful completion of Ms. Kornylo's internship in early July, the RUFCU has agreed to team up each summer with the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation by providing a stipend to a student from the Rochester area to intern at USUF's Washington office.

The RUFCU has also given financial support for the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation's Youth Leadership Program, a weeklong program that gives U.S. college students an introduction to leadership in government, international relations and the private sector through meetings with professionals from a number of governmental, international and private institutions.

The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation said it is grateful for the RUFCU's support of its Internship Program and Youth Leadership Program and looks forward to meeting and working with the students of Rochester, N.Y.

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