On the occasion of Science Day, the Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy hosted a roundtable discussion titled “Individual Educational Trajectory,” during which participants engaged with representatives of the Fulbright Program in Ukraine.

The event was co-organized by the Department of Ukrainian Language at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University and the Department of Philology at the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College of Higher Education.

Professor Liudmyla Shytyk, Head of the Department of Ukrainian Linguistics and Applied Linguistics at the Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, highlighted the relevance of the event:

“Today, we often discuss the importance of lifelong learning and the individual educational paths that each learner defines to realize their personal potential. The process of identifying and developing students’ abilities occurs through educational movement along individual learning trajectories. It is often necessary to direct one’s interests, learning opportunities, and cognitive, creative, communicative, and research abilities into the right channel, which is precisely what this online meeting aims to facilitate.”

Inna Barash, Deputy Director of the Fulbright Program in Ukraine and Coordinator of Exchange Programs for Young Scholars and Students, provided detailed information about the Fulbright Program’s activities in Ukraine, the requirements for Ukrainian applicants, the stages of the scholarship selection process, admission conditions, and more. She paid special attention to successful Fulbright alumni from the Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, including Professor Svitlana Zhabotynska (1994–1995; 2000–2001), alumni Nataliia Shpylova (2008–2009; 2022), Vladyslav Bivziuk (2019–2021), Ivanna Svitliar (2023–2025), among others.

Inna Barash emphasized the opportunity to participate this year in a nine-month teaching assistantship in U.S. universities and colleges, assisting American instructors in teaching the Ukrainian language (application deadline: July 6). She noted that the competition is open to early-career lecturers and young professionals specializing in linguistics, Ukrainian literature, translation studies, communication, journalism, American studies, and English language teaching.

Ivanna Svitliar, a Fulbright Graduate Student Program scholar for 2023–2025, is pursuing a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics at Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Virginia) and is notably an alumna of the Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy (class of 2015). She presented a concrete example of implementing an individual educational trajectory. Ivanna shared her experience of the application process, the specifics of studying in a master’s program in Applied Linguistics with a specialization in Sociolinguistics, and emphasized the importance of developing communicative and research competencies, disseminating information about Ukraine, and positioning oneself as a Ukrainian.

Ivanna promised to collaborate with the university upon her return to Ukraine as a stakeholder in the educational program “Computational Linguistics and English Language” [specialty “Philology (Applied Linguistics)”], stating:

“I would like to contribute to the Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy because it has done so much for me.”

The significance of such events was underscored by participants in their feedback:

“I express my gratitude for organizing an engaging educational meeting about Fulbright programs with the participation of Deputy Director Ms. Inna Barash and program participant Ivanna Svitliar. As a former applicant, it was important for me to ask several pertinent questions in this format. Ivanna spoke passionately about her time in the U.S. and shared experiences that were valuable to all interested parties. I believe such meetings are beneficial for promoting international education, cultural exchange, and showcasing various educational opportunities for students and young scholars. Thank you! Wishing you success!”

— Yuliia Krasnikova, PhD student at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University.

“It was interesting to hear Ivanna’s story and understand how everything works. Special thanks to Ms. Inna for providing useful information that significantly clarified the process of studying abroad.”

— Maryna Ursatii, fourth-year bachelor’s student in “Philology (Applied Linguistics)” at the Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy.

“I can say that the meeting genuinely intrigued me and made me contemplate further academic pursuits. My classmate and I participated in an exchange program in Poland, and now there’s also the American experience. It was particularly interesting to hear from individuals who have already been in this program and to converse with Ivanna. However, of course, the high level of English proficiency required for applicants is a challenging step toward success. Nonetheless, it serves as motivation for self-development.”

— Anastasiia Reznik, second-year master’s student in “Secondary Education (Ukrainian Language and Literature)” at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University.

For Ilona Kulbida, a third-year bachelor’s student in “Philology (Ukrainian Language and Literature)” at the Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, the meeting with representatives of the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program left only positive impressions:

“Thanks to the professionalism and experience of the speakers, I had the opportunity to learn about the details and prospects of international education.”

Victoria Andreeva, a fourth-year bachelor’s student in “Secondary Education (Ukrainian Language and Literature)” at the Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, was impressed by the online meeting “Individual Educational Trajectory”:

“As a graduating student, I received a lot of useful information and identified several important points that will truly help during the application process for master’s programs abroad, which is extremely important nowadays. The speakers thoroughly explained the document submission procedure, interview process, and study specifics, and answered questions. Participating in the event was not only informative but also motivating. It helped me navigate my future academic plans and form a clear understanding of the steps necessary for admission to foreign higher education institutions.”

Evheniia Tkachuk, a third-year bachelor’s student in “Secondary Education (Ukrainian Language and Literature)” at the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College of Higher Education, also shared positive feedback:

“It was extremely informative to learn more about the programs offered by Fulbright. It was interesting to hear that there is even an academic advisor who helps students choose the necessary courses to study and outlines the direction of development.”

The meeting highlighted the opportunities for choosing a personal path to realize the potential of higher education students and young scholars, demonstrating a concrete example of implementing an individual educational trajectory.