Embassy of Ukraine selects intern from TWG program (08/28/05)

Embassy of Ukraine selects intern from TWG program

by Michael Drabyk

WASHINGTON - Some 50 students, the most in recent memory - applied this year for The Washington Group's annual TWG Fellowship Fund Internship at the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington.

The Embassy selected Marta Matselioukh, a graduate student at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. Ms. Matselioukh also edits an electronic newsletter for the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, has interned for the Save the Children Foundation, teaches third graders at the Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian School in Washington, and also teaches Ukrainian dance.

"It is truly an honor and a privilege for me to be selected as this year's TWG Ukrainian Embassy Intern," she said. "Currently, I am contemplating the diplomatic service as a future career option, and the internship will allow for me to become more acquainted with this profession."

"Marta has quite a busy schedule," according to Nataliia Holub, second secretary in the Cultural, Information and Press Office of the Embassy. "Although primarily working in the Political Section, Ms. Matselioukh divides up her time between the Embassy's Political Section, the Cultural and Information Section and the Press Office. As part of her internship experience, Ms. Matselioukh writes lengthy reports, edits and translates documents, organizes a tour of the Smithsonian Museum of American History, and helps update information on the Embassy's website."

"Overall, Marta's work is of tremendous assistance to the Embassy," Ms. Holub noted, adding that the Embassy of Ukraine "looks forward to working together with The Washington Group in the future."

Ms. Matselioukh was born in Lviv, and came to the U.S. at the age of nine. Before coming to Washington, she received a bachelor of arts in political science and international studies from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn.

With some 50 applications received, The Washington Group Fellowship Fund saw a high level of interest this year in the Embassy Internship. Due to this high volume, however, individual inquiries could not always be answered as often as would have been liked.

TWG Fellowship Fund Committee members Orest Deychakiwsky and Adrian Karmazyn provided assistance in the selection process, and TWG President Adrian Pidlusky and board member Steve Boyduy helped in publicizing the Internship. Michael Drabyk chairs the TWG Fellowship Fund.

The TWG Fellowship Fund has raised about $6,500 over the past two years. Two fund-raising drives were held during this time, along with other individual donations received. Proceeds paid for two $1,500 stipends for TWG Embassy Interns this year and last, along with printing and postage for fund-raising. Another $1,500 stipend is earmarked for a TWG Embassy Internship in 2006.

Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to: TWG Fellowship Fund, P.O. Box 7951, McLean, VA 22106.

More information about the Fellowship Fund is available on the TWG website, at www.TheWashingtonGroup.org.

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