When a student set’s a goal of volunteering at least 30 hours a month; they really stand out above the rest.
World Link FLEX student Ihor Mykytenko (Ukraine/IA) is this student. This month he achieved his goal by volunteering every Wednesday at the local church; mentoring ESL children in basic English and Math, then staying to serve them dinner. He spent a weekend at the World Fair and Music Festival; volunteering in the information booth and being a member of the clean-up crew.
Ihor stayed active in school through joining Interact Club where he has already scheduled many of next month’s 30 volunteer hours. He also joined the International Spirit Club which is devoted to helping all international students in his high school get settled into American life and get involved. On top of all these activities, he still found time to help his host dad with landscaping around the house and cleaning out the garage and basement!
Most impressive about Ihor is his passion and commitment to raise money for a good cause. During an International Spirit Club meeting, he introduced a charity fundraising project idea where members would sell hand-made traditional jewelry. He demonstrated this idea through selling his own Ukrainian souvenirs as part of his fundraising campaign for a local event called “Reggie’s Sleep Out”. Proceeds of this overnight event go to helping at-risk youth in the Iowa Youth Homeless Centers. By the end of September, Ihor has raised $570 for this event and still had two weeks to go before the big day!
We are proud of Ihor for his passion and dedication to going above and beyond during his exchange year. It is this passion which gives us confidence Ihor will achieve his monthly goal and make a positive difference in his host community this year as well as in the future as an active alumni in his home country.
Congratulations Ihor!
