ROCHESTER, N.Y. – On January 28, five students from Ukraine, currently pursuing baccalaureate or graduate degrees at the University of Rochester and Nazareth College, participated in a panel discussion on current events in Ukraine. The community event, held at the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union, was co-hosted by the Ukrainian-American Community Foundation at Ukrainian FCU and the Rochester Ukrainian Group.
The panel, organized by UAC Foundation President Tamara Denysenko, included Iryna Kmyts from Lviv, Kostiantyn Lukyniuk from Chernivtsi, Andrii Osipa from Horlivka and Sofiya Shmyhlyk from Zalishchyky, current students at the University of Rochester; and Kateryna Basiuk from Ostroh Academy, who is studying at Nazareth College thanks to the Ukrainian Partnership Program. Sofiya Kreminska, Nazareth College graduate in international business, served as moderator.
The five panelists presented their perspectives on the differences and similarities of higher education in the U.S.A. and Ukraine, current events in Ukraine since the Maidan and the beginning of the war in eastern Ukraine, current economic, social, cultural, political realities and opportunities in Ukraine, and critical issues relating to the Ukrainian language and culture in developing a positive Ukrainian identity and image for Ukraine.
For the students, it was hard to overestimate the importance of maintaining a personal connection to their roots, as the Ukrainian diaspora in Rochester has done for so many years.
Dave Seeley, Irondequoit town supervisor, welcomed the student panelists and shared his thoughts about what motivated him to work in government and serve the people of Irondequoit. He encouraged the students to consider a career in government as an opportunity to help their country, Ukraine. He also expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian American community for their diverse contributions to the town of Irondequoit for the past 100 years.
Mr. Osipa, who is pursuing a master’s degree in computer science, pointed out, “during my M.S. program here some basics were repeated before each course because some students have never heard that material before, so extra time was spent to give everyone the required background.” On the other hand, he said that the Ukrainian academic system has “massive problems with academic honesty in many institutions, except a few private universities.”
In contrast, Ms. Basiuk, an undergraduate English major, said she believes that Ukraine now is the land of opportunity. “Yes, we have problems, but Ukrainians historically are ingenious, resourceful and hard-working, so we will be able to avoid the mistakes of others and find our own path.”
The community expressed appreciation for this opportunity to learn from the Ukrainian students. Attendees commented that Ukraine is heading towards a better future with such motivated and inspired young Ukrainians.
After the panel, Dr. Christine Hoshowsky, president of RUG and the UAC Foundation, thanked the young students with small tokens of recognition and appreciation.
Ms. Kmyts, who is pursuing a B.S. in business and a B.A. in German, stated: “Although Ukraine is going through major political and social challenges today, seeing that there are so many intelligent, inspiring and patriotic individuals on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean makes me believe that our future is bright. I can’t be more thankful to the Ukrainian American community in Rochester for such a warm welcome and for so much motivation they have given me.”
Valeriia Sherina is a Ph.D. candidate in statistics at the University of Rochester Medical Center.