Written by Iryna Rekrut '17 (Ukraine/IL)
Read how Iryna’s exchange year with World Link has influenced her, inspired her, and taught her skills she’ll use for the rest of her life.
My exchange year with World Link made me realize the huge importance of intercultural communication. It is so amazing to get to know different perspectives and share yours.
After I got back I took part in this initiative competition, where my team and I picked an issue that our city has and ways to solve it. We picked excessive advertisements on billboards that worsen the site and is distracting for drivers. We presented it in the city hall and won. After that, we filed a petition for residents to sign.
Iryna presents the issue of billboard regulations in front of city hall representatives and the group, University of Young Lawyers, the organizers of this project competition.
But what I am most proud of is a job I do at American Common Law Center at my university, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. In fact, another FLEXer introduced me there, Diana Hradil. ACLC holds courses and meetings with American law professors, lawyers and judges. These courses and meetings teach students of the common law system, the basics of the jury trial and legal English.
My co-worker and I organize these meetings. Additionally, we hold “American holidays” events, where my exchange year experience helps to make the celebrations more accurate. It is fantastic providing this opportunity for other students to learn about the values of other cultures, especially in the professional area. Also, our visitors get to know a lot about Ukraine, when they come.
I got very inspired by the way Model UNs are held in the USA, so in 2018 I organized one in my home community.
Left: Iryna volunteering at a Halloween event in her host community of Belleville, IL. Right: Iryna organizing a Halloween celebration, inspired by her U.S. experience for her Ukrainian peers.
Overall, I owe these activities to my exchange year with World Link. Our exchange year taught us to be open-minded, driven and, eager to learn. It’s taught us to cooperate with others and spread great ideas and projects. It is inspiring seeing how much other exchange students accomplish. I am honored to be a part of the World Link family!
