With Nova Ukraine’s support, Bard College leads writing- and discussion-filled workshops on the topic of justice
Students from across Ukraine developed critical reading, writing, and civic leadership skills in a new program this summer supported by Nova Ukraine.
The tuition-free, residential program, called Language and Thinking Kyiv, was based on Bard College’s Institute for Writing and Thinking approach to learning and was led by students and faculty members from the school. A total of 29 high school students completed the three-week program, which focused on the theme of “justice.” Students read and discussed texts written by Václav Havel, Lesia Ukrainka, Martin Luther King Jr., and others, and zeroed in on topics such as freedom, responsibility, and dignity.
The students worked in small, immersive workshops and practiced a variety of writing formats, including free writing, loop writing, and process writing—all in English—and then shared and discussed their work with their classmates to examine and refine their own thought processes. One example of their assignments was the use of dialectical notebooks, in which students write down their thoughts about a text they had read together, then pass their notebook to another student to add their perspective.
The program also included films, guest speakers, and other activities.
Developing Civic-Minded Leaders
Among the program’s goals was to help young Ukrainians become confident writers, critical thinkers, and civic-minded leaders for the future of the country. The program also sought to develop the habits and skills the students need to succeed as they prepare for higher education.
“We believe that when students know their ideas matter, they are more willing to ask questions, take intellectual risks, and form their communities,” L&T Kyiv said in a report on the program. “By expanding access to rigorous academic learning, especially for students from underserved and conflict-affected communities, we aim to strengthen Ukraine’s human capital.”
The students who completed the program praised the impact it had on them. Almost all (93%) of the students said they developed stronger study habits for the university environment, and 76% said they now feel a greater sense of responsibility for their contribution to Ukraine’s future. They also said the program helped them develop their critical thinking skills and intellectual independence.
“Previously, it was somewhat difficult for me to listen to someone whose position I strongly disagreed with, let alone try to understand them,” said Zoryana Prokhorenko, an 11th-grade student from Kyiv. “Now I believe that we should still try to understand the motivations of others and their view of the situation in order to have a constructive dialogue. I truly changed my perspective on listening to understand rather than listening to express my own opinion in response.”
In fact, every one of the students who completed the program said they are now better able to reconsider their position on an issue when faced with compelling evidence.
Students Eye Higher Education
Students said they joined the program to gain experiences that will help them prepare for college and contribute to the future of Ukraine.
“I want to improve my essay writing and self-expression skills in order to apply for international projects, develop the economy and the civil sector in Ukraine, share my experiences, and tell foreigners about Ukraine,” said Yevheniia Kudinova, a student from Kropyvnytski.
Sofiya Bondar, a student from Irpin, said her goals were to enter a university abroad and get a high score on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, which is often a requirement to enter English-taught universities. “In my opinion, the skills I will acquire in this program are a very important part of my experience,” she said.
The L&T Kyiv report includes additional survey responses and an extensive collection of comments from the students on the texts they read and the workshops they participated in.
Nova Ukraine Provides Financial Support
The Language and Thinking Kyiv program took place on the campus of the Kyiv School of Economics from July 27 to Aug. 15. Total costs, which included meals, transportation, instructor and staff costs, were $44,604.52. About half of the funding (50.5%) was provided by Nova Ukraine, with the rest coming from Ukraine Global Scholars (22.4%) and individual donations (27%).
Additional supporters included the Ukrainian Leadership Academy. L&T Kyiv also said it received guidance from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, ENGin Program, International Renaissance Foundation, Klitschko Foundation, and other individuals from the Bard College and ‘Iolani School (a college-prep school in Honolulu) communities.
L&T Kyiv was founded by Bard undergraduate Yana Lahoda (class of 2027) through the college’s Trustee Leader Scholar program, which supports students who design and run civic engagement projects based on their own interests. Before attending Bard, Lahoda received support to attend high school in the U.S. from Ukraine Global Scholars, a nonprofit that helps Ukrainian students of modest means apply to top boarding schools and universities for full scholarships. In return, the students commit to come back to Ukraine and share the knowledge gained during their studies abroad.
“We are extremely thankful to the Kyiv School of Economics for hosting us and proud that a Bard student, Yana Lahoda, has taken the lead in organizing this transformative educational experience in her homeland, following a great tradition of student civic leaders at Bard,” said Bard Acting President Jonathan Becker.
Bard’s Language and Thinking Program is taught in more than 20 Bard locations around the world each year.
“By participating in Language and Thinking Kyiv, young people in Ukraine join Bard students around the world in intellectual engagement with questions rooted in our shared humanity, as well as challenges that bring together the academic and the civic,” Bard said in a statement announcing the program.
About half of the students (15 of 29) who participated in this year’s inaugural program were from Kyiv. L&T Ukraine is now exploring other locations for future iterations of the program, however, including Kharkiv, where the program would have a greater focus on students from rural and frontline communities, Lahoda said.
