Maksym Bugai
22, Bila Tserkva, Kyiv Region
Yaroslav the Wise National Law Academy
State Department of Intellectual Property
Maastricht University,
Master in Intellectual Property Law and Knowledge Management
A desire to devote my life to jurisprudence appeared while studying at the State lyceum of economics and law in Bila Tserkva. I realized that in law I could realize my inner potential as well as be very useful for society. Later I entered Yaroslav the Wise National Law Academy of Ukraine. From the very first study year I had been constantly in search of additional sources of information, as I understood that current market requires from a specialist more knowledge than is taught in high school.
I found extremely useful my social activity in NGO "League of ULA students" and training in the Ukrainian and foreign law firms. It was after an internship at the Kyiv office of law firm “Konnov & Sozanovsky" when I took interest in intellectual property right. Unfortunately, in our country in this area many issues remain unresolved and there are gaps to be filled. To achieve this, one cannot go without international knowledge and experience. That is why I am convinced of the need to study abroad. My goal is to become a true specialist in IP. Thanks to the support of the Victor Pinchuk Foundation I have such an opportunity, and I will definitely use it. If every citizen will be professional and conscientious in what he/she does, I believe Ukraine will prosper!
Diana Goldshtein
21, Kyiv
Taras Shevchenko National University, Economic theory
NGO “Ukrainian Union of Jewish Students”
London School of Economics,
Comparative Politics
Winning scientific competitions, being socially active, participating in youth activities of the Council of Europe and the OSCE, training in the Parliament and government institutions of Ukraine - all this inspires me and gives strength for further achievements.
I believe that winning the WorldWideStudies program will be another step towards the success and realization of my goals. Studying at the London School of Economics to get MSc in Comparative Politics with a specialization in "Politics and markets" will allow me to become an expert in the field of state economic regulation.
I want to direct the applied knowledge, useful contacts and valuable experience obtained in the UK at the development and improvement of institutional regulation of Ukraine’s economy.
Andrii Kril
21, Village of Uhryniv, Ivano-Frankivsk Region
Kyiv Mohyla National Academy, Law
University of Pittsburgh,
LL.M.
I never believed that learning and work should be a central part of our lives, even though I had achieved some success in both areas. I think my biggest achievement is that despite the workload at the university and at work I always find time for volunteer projects.
Once I was told that my generation will be the one «who will define the future of Ukraine - for the better. » I always keep this in mind, because who else if not us? After graduation I plan to return, get several years of practical experience, and then teach in my dear Alma mater. Being a student, I do sense what Ukrainian education lacks at the moment. I hope that experience gained in the U.S. will help me to not only become a successful professional, but also help Ukrainian youth to obtain education that meets the best world standards.
Maryna Kuzmenko
26, Kyiv
Kyiv University of Law, National Academy of Ukraine, Commercial law and economic process
Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine
London Metropolitan University,
LL.M. International Commercial Law
Every human’s life is full of daily accomplishments. Without going into details, I can say that I am no exception and I have enough victories on a scale of one human life. They include, in particular, my education in postgraduate school, and work at the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine. However, I understand that every yesterday’s achievement becomes irrelevant today. That's why I decided to go further and try my strengths by entering one of the UK universities.
After graduation, I still want to realize myself in law. Thus, in order to maximize the use of knowledge and skills acquired abroad, apart from being a practicing lawyer, I consider teaching as a job with good prospects. For this is the only way we can educate a new generation of law specialists, who will influence the fate of Ukraine and create its legal image tomorrow.
Yurii Lotonenko
24, Kyiv
National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Horticulture / Landscape Architecture
Paradehuset - tegnestue & orangery, Denmark
University of Copenhagen,
Landscape Architecture and Urban Design
During my school years I had no idea what landscape architecture was about or how to keep a pencil in my hand, as I had been completely devoted to sports. It so happened that a desire to hold a pencil had pushed sports out into the rank of a hobby, but perseverance, a strive for better, discipline and diligence remained. During my student life, I had been participating in various architectural competitions, created several interesting projects in terms of landscape architecture, and went on long-term foreign trainings in the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark. In these countries I was able to work with decorative cereals, greenhouse plants, green hedges, as well as to sweat, get tired, get sad, get to see the world’s best garden and park ensembles and, with this, receive the ultimate impressions to last for the rest of my life.
Currently I’m training at Paradehuset tegnestue & orangeri of Denmark, where I try to develop myself in a more creative direction. With this burden of knowledge, experience and a heavy head, I came for an interview. Now the Victor Pinchuk Foundation opens a window of in-depth study of one of the most beautiful professions in the world. I'm sure that with us Ukraine will undergo major changes for the better!
Oleksandr Lugovskyi
22, Yalta
Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas, Business Economics
"Yurydychna Firma" LTD
Durham University,
International Trade and Commercial Law
Currently I have two degrees - in law and economy, I have experience of working in both public institutions and private law firms. And it is this experience that helped me understand the direction, in which I want to work in the future. For myself, I decided that for further development in the legal field I need foreign education, which is why I started preparing for LL.M. in England. I was accepted to 3 universities throughout the UK, but have chosen only one – the Durham University.
Now, thanks to the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, I have an opportunity to study abroad, and I'm sure that after graduating from the Durham University, upon return to Ukraine, I will be able to contribute to the development of my homeland.
Bogdan Nyshchii
25, Kyiv
Taras Shevchenko National University, Law
Legal Corporation
Queen Mary University of London,
LL.M. FT Laws
“To know, is to know that you know nothing” - these words by Socrates did not lose their deep philosophical meaning today. After nearly six years of studying law at the Kyiv Shevchenko University and five years of legal practice in leading Ukrainian law firms, I realized that for my further professional development I need to get an LL.M. degree from a foreign university, which is no longer a special feature for Ukrainian lawyers, but a call of the times.
After the training, I plan to establish my own law firm in Ukraine, a company that would meet international requirements, and of course, the acquired knowledge will help me to better understand foreign clients, provide them with qualified legal assistance.
"One who seeks, he always finds" – that is my motto. I will definitely show you my best, I will faithfully study in order to fully open my potential, I will reach my goals and create my own business that will be my contribution to the development of my motherland.
Mariia Parubets
21, Kyiv
Kyiv Mohyla National Academy, Law
CFC Consulting
Maastricht University,
Intellectual Property Law and Knowledge Management
A success story for me is a story of struggle. Over time I started to understand that there is no other way. Each goal, set and achieved, is as valuable as the effort put into it. And a path to each goal leaves its mark. Years of training in the Ukrainian Humanitarian Lyceum left a sense of national consciousness and pride in belonging to the Ukrainian nation; at the Kyiv Mohyla Academy – gave awareness of inexhaustible creative potential for personal growth; exchange program with the University of Helsinki – opened boundless horizons to be reached and knowledge to be gained; the first year of work clarified the importance of inspiration in every profession, and also the fact that it is not only important what you do in life, but people who you do that with. Next goal is to study at the University of Maastricht. This not only a dream program, it is another path, another challenge to take on, and I look forward to it.
I have chosen my profession and, subsequently, my walk of life, by a chance. In the lyceum, where I studied, when splitting into groups the biggest competition was to get into a legal group, and for some reason I chose this maximum resistance option. Having experienced the joy of achievements and bitterness of defeat, I re-discovered my vocation – law and justice. I sincerely hope that my efforts, as well as the efforts of my colleagues, a new and gifted generation with modern views and education received at the world’s leading universities will establish in Ukraine this illusive and seemingly unattainable principle - the rule of law and human rights as the highest and enduring values in every sphere of human life.
Kateryna Perepechai
22, Berezne, Rivne Region
Kyiv Mohyla National Academy, Political science
Election campaign, headquarters of candidate for presidency
Sciences PO Paris,
European Affairs
Enrolment to Political Science baccalaureate program of the Kyiv Mohyla Academy; professional experience as a political analyst at one of the leading think tanks of the country; training at the Secretariat of the President of Ukraine; work in the headquarters of one of the leaders of the country's presidential campaign; work experience in the club of representatives of socially responsible business interested in Ukraine's economic and social reforms; enrolment to the Kyiv Mohyla Academy “European Studies” master's program; champion titles in Indian and Japanese chess. All these happened before joining the leading European School of Political Sciences - Sciences Po Paris. Being in the heart of Europe and among European policy makers, the training program "European relations" is ahead.
After returning to Ukraine, my work will be directed at a new phase of cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union, bringing all the best from the EU to Ukraine, and opening Ukraine to the European family. I want that understanding of the EU internal processes, knowledge of legal and effective lobbying tools and gained professional experience would give me an opportunity and authority to defend political and economic interests of Ukraine in the EU, representing Ukraine on the official level.
Uliana Poltavets
20, Kyiv
V. Hetman Kyiv National Economic University, Human resources and Labour economics
University of Leiden,
Public Administration
Since childhood I always had a serious approach to everything. The most responsibly I took accumulation of human capital. My greatest achievement I think is extraordinary self-discipline, which allowed me to achieve everything I strived for. I graduated from the school with honors, I was editor of the youth newspaper, I wrote a scientific work, participated in conferences, worked as an intern at the UN, was elected delegate from Ukraine to the international youth forum, always had an active social position, and recently received a bachelor degree with honors from the Kyiv National Economic University.
The WWS grant will help me to keep going down the road of self-improvement. I will be studying what I do best - being a worthy citizen of my country and work for its benefit. Master’s degree in Public Administration from one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe is my chance to make a qualitative change in our country. Upon return I'm going to deal with problems in the field of human development, including social mobilization.
Anastasiya Prymovych
25, Lviv
Ukrainian Catholic University, History
Museum of Polish history
Harvard University,
Regional Studies
An honour to receive this year's grant from the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and the Harvard University is my achievement, which summarizes the results of my public activities and training at the Ukrainian Catholic University, UGRAD program, etc.
This honour is also a challenge – to carry out a research on ethnic conflicts in a historical perspective, concentrating on the history of collective memory, process of personal forgetting, victimization of the past, and structuring national history. This will intensify interethnic dialogue in Ukraine today.
Olena Ptashenchuk
23, Odesa
Odesa National Maritime Academy, law
IMO International Maritime Law Institute,
LL.M.
We have all conditions for development of marine economic complex. However, practicing for a year as a maritime law attorney, I realized that the most important thing to increase competitiveness and strengthen the international authority of Ukraine as a maritime state, are its human resources and expertise of professionals involved in the management of this field.
The master's program I have selected will offer me such expertise in maritime law. Professional experience gained at the International Institute of Maritime Law, enables its graduates to work effectively towards elimination of legal collisions, filling in gaps in the maritime laws of their countries and fighting against regulatory nihilism.
I am sure that it is the knowledge obtained within this selected program that will allow me to change the attitude of Ukrainian society to the problems of the maritime industry.
Ivan Romaschenko
25, Kyiv
Taras Shevchenko National University, Law
Lawyer Association
University of Leiden,
European and International Business Law
Working at one of the most reputable law firms in Ukraine and in the heart of the Ukrainian Legal Education - National Taras Shevchenko University, I set a goal to deepen cooperation between Ukrainian and foreign institutions in business and science in my favorite area of civil rights. Exactly in this field I see perspective for my further professional development, and the reason behind my strive to receive master’s degree abroad at a well-respected academic institution with an internationally acclaimed name. Without support of the Victor Pinchuk Foundation it would be simply unrealistic.
I learned about the project quite by chance, through a social network page of my friend from the Law School - she received a grant in 2010. Then I asked myself: "Is it really possible? » This question was constantly "going round" in my head until I was informed of winning a grant. I have known for long that life is a miracle, but the Foundation made me believe in miracles once again. Therefore I’d like to advise all those concerned: take interest in your friends’ pages in social networks and happiness will be bestowed upon you!
Oleksiy Ryzhkov
23, Kaniv, Cherkasy Region
National University of Life and Environmental Sciences, Forestry
Danfrugt
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,
Euroforester
When I first visited Scandinavia, I really wanted to study there. Years had passed and as a result of hard work I was able to make my dream come true. And believe me, there was nothing too difficult! The recipe is simple - step by step you go towards your dream. And when you win an open scholarship competition, you feel incredibly happy. I would like that the number WorldWideStudies participants studying science increased from year to year.
I know that among forestry schools in Europe the SLU is one of the best and even Swedish Prince Carl Philip favoured it. Therefore, studying in such schools is a major step forward that will help to fulfill myself.
wish success to all WWS participants and I hope that we return home as game-changing people.
Alina Sviderska
22, Kyiv
Kyiv Mohyla National Academy, Law
International Institute of Management, Ministry of Justice of Ukraine
University of Cambridge,
LL.M.
Entering the University of Cambridge is my greatest professional achievement. I have been approaching my goal step by step. First, it was a school, then a university and active academic and social life: I was a volunteer in international organizations, scholarship winner in schools of Slovenia, Germany, the United States and Belgium; I represented Ukraine in international legal competitions in Hague (Telders Moot Court) and Oxford.
An extraordinary support in achieving the goal was provided by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, which helps young people develop themselves and their home country. It is important to simply use opportunities, work on yourself, and believe in yourself and your dream.
Studying abroad is not my final objective but simply means enabling of implementation of all future projects. I want to focus on Ukraine’s investment opportunities, to become a professional in their area and contribute to building of a new, more open and liberal country.
Olga Sinkevych
30, Lutsk
Kyiv Mohyla National Academy, Ecology and Environment
МО
University of Oxford,
MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Policy
Love of nature and my desire to contribute to saving the planet stayed with me since 5th grade when I started travelling through the Carpathian Mountains together with pupils of Volyn Regional Lyceum, specializing in nature study at that time. At that time I already knew what I wanted to do in the future.
My goal is to help improve ecological education. Since there always had been a conflict between doing business and preserving natural resources, I’ll focus on the development of methodologies for educating business representatives. And the WorldWideStudies program brings me closer to my dream.
Maria Trylis
24, Kyiv
Kyiv Mohyla National Academy, Physics
Ukrainian Network of Energy Innovations
Erasmus Mundus,
Joint European Master in Environmental Studies
My project "Energy efficiency in multistoried buildings. Potentialities of condominiums" won funding from one of the Ukrainian foundations. While working on this project I have realized that Ukraine has a great potential for development of innovative eco-technologies, including "renewable" energy. The development of this industry will help Ukraine to emerge from the energy crisis, become less dependent on imported gas and other energy resources, and reach the European level of environmental and energy security.
The forthcoming studying is the next step towards these ideas. I will devote my master's project to the development of eco-energy technologies, and after graduation I will implement this project together with all stakeholders, both Ukrainian and European, with the "Demonstration centres for high efficiency use of resources" sharing the experience throughout Ukraine as an ultimate result. The JEMES program in Denmark is one of the leading educational programs in the field of eco-technologies and "green" policy and has a practical orientation that will prepare me for implementation of such projects in Ukraine.
Natalia Shcherbynska
22, Kyiv
Taras Shevchenko National University, Law
New York University,
LL.M. in International Business Regulation, Litigation and Arbitration
My parents always told me: “It’s impossible to teach, one may only learn," "Work on yourself and make yourself with your own hands". Guided by their teachings and life example, I personally, having chosen the profession of lawyer, constantly try to improve my knowledge and skills. As a WWS scholarship winner, I am grateful to the Victor Pinchuk Foundation for the opportunity to make my dreams and intentions come true.
According to my observations, the role and importance of Ukrainian lawyers with a foreign education is increasing and their skills allow them to go beyond the national legal system. That's why I’m hopeful that Master's Program of the New York University Law School, over time, will help me contribute to the development of Ukrainian legislation, its adjustments to meet world standards. In my understanding, this would be the best manifestation of my professional responsibility and serving the national interests of Ukraine, and its public good.
Aliona Shkrum
23, Kyiv
Institute of International Relations of Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, International Law, translator from French
Lawyer Association «Chevalier Péricard Connesson»
University of Cambridge,
LL.M.
I think the greatest achievement a person can be proud of is to learn how to be happy and make other people happy too. I started out with volunteer work for GreenPeace, then there was the first "job" of providing free legal advice, then work on establishing alamni group at the Institute, training in the Bar of Paris and etc... Interestingly, over time, goals become more complex and dream more and more ambitious ... The main thing that I realized - dreams are never too big. Anything is possible, and never believe if someone says otherwise.
Why I want to study at Cambridge? It's simple - it is one of the best and oldest universities in the world. I believe that future studies will give me invaluable knowledge and experience as an international law lawyer and a prospective politician working in international relations. Ukraine badly needs changes in all spheres of public life. And the best thing that we, young people, can do for the state and for ourselves is to believe in the country, get the highest quality education and experience in the best universities and return home with the knowledge acquired to implement such changes. This is how Singapore and Japan were built, such policy is still popular in more than one country in the world, when young people are encouraged to study abroad and then return home. That is why this project is so important. It assists in financing dreams. So, all you need is dare to dream of great things and never give up!