You're reading: Harvard Discovery Day will take place in Kyiv

A good higher education is the proven path to better job opportunities and higher salaries. And, according to the Education Ministry, some 20,000 young Ukrainians every year think that enrolling in a foreign university provides the best route to this brighter future.

At the top
of many wish lists is Harvard University, universally recognized as one of the
world’s best – if not the best.

But getting
there from Ukraine can be tough and expensive.

Fortunately,
a Harvard Club of Ukraine exists. Its 70 or so members, all graduates of the
university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, have teamed up with the Kyiv School of
Economics to hold the first Harvard Discovery Day on March 17 for Ukrainians interesting
in getting admitted to Harvard. 

Natalia
Bugayova, who got her master’s in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School of Government,
wants as many Ukrainians as possible to experience the opportunity of studying
at the university. She and others are going to share their knowledge about how
to get in and what to expect from being enrolled at Harvard.

Natalia Bugayova and Misha Lemesh graduated from Harvard University.

“This meeting
will bring together Harvard graduates in Ukraine and aspiring
Harvard and other Ivy League Schools applicants,” Bugayova said. “I hope
sharing our experience will inspire others to chase their most ambitious dreams
and make the right choice for them, whether is it Harvard or something completely
different.”

In
particular, Harvard Discovery Day is a chance to learn more about the prestigious
Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Business School. 

Harvard
College alumni will discuss admission details for those seeking bachelor’s
degrees. Also, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation will
present their WorldWide Studies project, which offers scholarships to those who
want to study abroad.

Bugayova
believes that the event will help the ambitious students. “It’s
very important for us to get the message across to talented Ukrainians,
aspiring to become Harvard students, given Ukraine is greatly underrepresented
at the university,” Bugayova told the Kyiv Post.

Studying
abroad (especially when it comes to elite Ivy League universities) requires
much time and stamina to meet the rigorous criteria for admission.

Bugayova
said one of the strengths of Harvard is its great practical approach, which
contrasts with many Ukrainian universities. “Harvard can give one as much as knowledge
one is willing to take. And the motivation of Harvard students to do get the
maximum value out of education is unrivaled,” Bugayova said.

During Harvard
Discovery Day, graduates and professionals will learn more about the programs
available.

Olga
Belkova, one of the Sunday speakers, will talk about the mid-career program
at Harvard Kennedy School, developed for those people with some years of professional experience.

Olga Belkova, a former head of international projects at the Victor Pinchuk’s Foundation, is member of parliament.

In 2011, Belkova
took a one-year mid-career program at Harvard John F. Kennedy School of
Government and now implements her skills as a new member of parliament, elected
last fall. “I tried myself in politics as my master’s in public administration
helps me figure out the situation in Ukraine,” Belkova said.

Despite
receiving one of the best educations available in the world, Harvard graduates
warn that Ukrainian employers don’t always appreciate or recognize foreign
diplomas.

“I’m going
to stress to all visitors of Harvard Discovery Day that the foreign diploma doesn’t
give any advantages, the knowledge and skills need to be proved by different
projects and experience in different fields,” Belkova said. “Many of the
students may face distrust and even snobbery, but their knowledge will help
them in seeking employment opportunities.”

About the Harvard Club of Ukraine: Harvard Club of Ukraine is community of Harvard alumni in Ukraine that
unites graduates and seeks to promote opportunities at Harvard for prospective
students.

About Harvard Discovery Day:

March 17,
9.30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Kyiv School
of Economics, 13 Yakira St., 38-044-492-8011

Kyiv Post staff writer Olena Goncharova can be
reached at [email protected]