Help Without Borders: MSU Students on Volunteering in Ukraine, Lithuania, and Germany

With the support of Yale University (USA), representatives of Mariupol State University took part in the annual student conference REEESNe. The event was a great opportunity for Ukrainian youth to share their experiences of volunteering as a way to help their compatriots.

Vadym Yali, a master’s student in the «International Relations» program; Sofiia Shustenko, a master’s student in the «Cultural Studies, Cultural Diversity, and Community Development» program; and Dmytro Orlovskyi, a third-year student in the «International Relations» program, shared their experiences.

Urgent Assistance. Ukraine

Vadym is involved in a wide range of volunteer activities. He supported the displaced people with food, medicine, and essentials. After the de-occupation of the Kyiv region, he helped restore destroyed homes. He is also part of a response group that assists after missile attacks. In July last year, when Russia struck the “Okhmatdyt” children’s hospital with a missile, he helped deliver much-needed supplies.

Preserving Identity. Lithuania

When Sofiia arrived in Lithuania, she initially didn’t know what her next steps would be in the new country. But when she learned about the opening of the International Ukrainian School, she decided to try herself as a teacher. Alongside other educators and concerned individuals, she helped clean up and prepare an abandoned building for use as a learning space. At the school, the MSU student taught students about Ukraine and its culture, supported them, and offered motivation.

Support Through Enterprise. Germany

Dmytro joined the Ukrainian Business Hub Cluster, which helps those who want to start their own business. His knowledge of German allowed him to volunteer as a translator, making useful content accessible to a wider audience. He also served as a volunteer mentor for Ukrainian students through a program by the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI).