Three scholarship holders look back on their year at the University of Kassel

Svetlana Loban from Belarus judges, "This year has given me the vision of how to make the most important systems in society work so that people feel comfortable and safe." And finally, Aliona Sharkut from Belarus says, "My expectations of the Rotary Scholarship year at the University of Kassel were more than fulfilled overall because I achieved my goals - such as learning about new cultures, improving my language skills, gaining in-depth theoretical knowledge, and acquiring social and professional skills." The three young women are scholarship holders who, thanks to the commitment and financial support of the Rotary Clubs of North Hesse, were able to continue their studies in Kassel for a year and thus get to know the country and its people.

The scholarship holders were bid farewell to their homeland on August 15 in a ceremony of the North Hessian Rotary Clubs at the invitation of the RC Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe in the house of the Volksbank Kassel-Göttingen from Kassel. District Governor Rainer Moosdorf confirmed the importance of the scholarship program as part of the Rotarian youth exchange and its important contribution to international understanding within the Rotarian peace initiatives. The president of RC Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe, Wolfgang Osse, said: "Our scholarship program serves the exchange between cultures in the spirit of Rotary. In times like these, it's important to keep in touch with friends in other countries and make new friends there."

The scholarship program for students from Eastern Europe goes back to an idea of the then district governor in Rotary District 1820, Georg Friedrich Reim of RC Homberg, in 1997/98. Rotary wanted to give young people from countries far east of the fallen Iron Curtain, who were younger than 30 years and economically needy, the chance of an education at the University of Kassel. Applicants were considered suitable if they were committed to international understanding in their home countries, were determined and oriented toward the common good, and already spoke German. Back in their home countries, they were to promote the Rotarian idea of selflessly working for others and for peace among nations.

The program quickly proved a success, with more and more clubs in the region participating. Eleven Rotary clubs now support the program, along with the German Academic Exchange Service and the University of Kassel. Thanks to the initiative of the North Hessian Rotary Clubs, 30 scholarship holders from eleven Eastern and Central European countries have so far come to the University of Kassel for a year.

"Our motivation has always been international understanding with people from countries that are less in the focus of attention than others, such as Mongolia or Belarus," said Assistant District Governor Walter Blum, who is responsible for North Hesse: "Our program receives attention far beyond the region as a great community achievement."

The scholarship recipients mostly go back to their home countries, Blum reported. They are successful there, he said, and carry their positive impressions back to their communities. Some went on to study for a master's degree in Kassel. They financed their studies by working. Marius Claudiu Maxim from Romania became a manager in Sibiu after his stay in Kassel and founded a new RC there.

"It is my job to continue the program every year. Each student place currently costs 8,000 euros a year. It is financed by the clubs thanks to donations of 1,200 euros per club, a district grant from Rotary also financed by donations, and an influx from the German Academic Foreign Service," Blum said. He added that the University of Kassel provides the study spaces  and makes it possible to rent the apartments.

Three new spots have been confirmed for the 2019/20 Rotary year, he said.

Here is the three scholarship recipients' review in full:

Evgeniia Bolshakova: "I am Evgeniia Bolshakova, and I was a student at the Pedagogical University in Chelyabinsk in Russia. I decided to move to Germany for a year because I wanted to better understand how to use my professional skills in Germany and provide them to others. 

A Russian student who studies German, and is already planning his career in Russia with a view to working in Germany, must definitely be the best in his field. You can get involved in this competition to get the best job if you either have perfect German skills or have completed an internship abroad.

I had no expectations at all about my year in Germany before the exchange year, because I had no idea what you could do to survive the academic year as well as possible. But then, when you are open, it is all the more interesting because you look at everything with the big eyes and with the big heart.

The most important thing that the young person can do alone abroad is to become more adult. I have determined for myself what I can achieve in the next five years and made my life plan. And as I say goodbye, German culture is almost in my soul."

Svetlana Loban: "After graduating from a university in Belarus and having almost 4 years of work experience, I decided to do a Rotary year in Germany. I expected new challenges that would change me and my life. And I got them: on the one hand, I expanded my professional knowledge in the field of human resources and management (business psychology, human resources management, sales management, etc.), and on the other hand, I got new ideas and developed ways to adapt my knowledge to the Belarusian reality.

I also improved my German language skills and deepened my understanding of German culture and everyday life. This year has also given me the vision of how to make the most important systems in the society work so that people feel comfortable and safe. I thank the Rotary family for the wonderful experiences this year has given me to take with me."

Aliona Sharkut: "My expectations of the Rotary Scholarship year at the University of Kassel were more than met overall because I achieved my goals - such as learning about new cultures, improving my language skills, gaining in-depth theoretical knowledge, and acquiring social and professional skills. Most importantly, I have discovered the field of project management for myself and because of that I want to have a successful career in this field. I have gained many unforgettable experiences that have not only opened new opportunities in my future professional life, but also strengthened my character."