About 40 students of the Department of Political Science and International Relations of IHSS attended the International Economic Forum as volunteers. Bohdana Voiat, a third-year student, tells about her experience and impressions.
– How did the economic Forum run?
– The Forum lasted two days – on Thursday and Friday. Some of our students refused to volunteer because of important lessons. But I’m convinced that although the lessons are very important, you can learn a lot from the people you are with, and you can use this knowledge in study. Therefore, if there is a question: to go to the lessons or to volunteer, I definitely advise to choose the second one. Those who miss such opportunities lose a lot. We, the volunteers, were provided with all the necessary staff: clothes, food etc. We worked with UNDP and East-Expo groups. The duties were to accompany the guests, show them what they needed, and direct them. And those who know English well could practice their language skills interpreting for foreign guests and businessmen.
– Have you personally managed to talk to someone?
– Yes. You know, at the department we are taught not only to say hello to an important person, but to talk to him and ask a question. To encourage us to put a question, teachers gave us some points. We have not already been getting points for a long time, but we’ve got into the habit. At the Forum I managed to talk to Jan Thomas Hiemstra, Director at UNDP in Ukraine. In fact, we discussed almost everything with him: the political situation in Ukraine, reforms, future elections etc. And it was nice to hear from Ambassador of the Netherlands to Ukraine Kees Jan René Klompenhouwer that he is interested in the life of Ukrainians – the ambassador asked about our political views, the university… We made photos with these people. And when we were going home, we met a businessman working in the renewable energy sector. And he invited us to send him our resumes.
– And did you manage to learn something new at the Forum?
– Yes, the volunteers took turns while doing work and therefore we had time to hear the reports of the main speakers, see interesting business projects, learn about economic problems, the labor market etc.
