… International exchange program fosters cultural understanding while developing professional skills
OXFORD, Miss. – It’s a long way from the Ukraine to the southern United States, but Alina Gnatiuk is shortening the cultural gap between her homeland and the University of Mississippi. 
Gnatiuk is a master’s student this fall in UM’s School of Business Administration. Her enrollment was made possible by the U.S. Department of State’s Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program. Upon completion of her MBA in May 2011, Gnatiuk plans to return to work as an implementation project manager for SABMiller, a global company with brewery operations in the Ukraine.
Gnatiuk already holds master’s degrees in political science and economics from Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and the South Academy for Qualification Upgrade, respectively. She began working immediately after graduation and had reservations about even applying for the Muskie Fellowship.
“It was not an easy decision to interrupt my working experience for the sake of a master’s degree,” Gnatiuk said. “But the top management of SABMiller was very supportive, so I decided to accept the scholarship.”
According to the rules of the Muskie program, finalists must accept the award before learning where they will study. When Gnatiuk learned that she would be coming to Ole Miss, she was thrilled.
“Ole Miss is a very famous university across the world,” she said. “Its huge, beautiful campus, lots of schools in different fields of study and research institutes are all very impressive. I couldn’t wait to make my arrival here.”
The international student has been well received by both Ole Miss faculty and students.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with Alina,” said Bethany Cooper, director of corporate relations and MBA services. “She brings a lot of international perspective into the classroom and helps regional students gain a more global understanding of business.”
“We met a month ago, and I found Alina to be very mature and one of the most organized individuals I have come across,” said fellow international student Rachit Gupta of India. “She is a person with lots of positive energy and great ideas. Kind, simple and knowledgeable, Alina is the kind of person who you always want to have around.”
Gnatiuk said she is enjoying her discovery of all things Ole Miss.
“The Student Union is a great place for students. The equipment in the auditoriums and the library are just perfect compared to the similar resources back home,” she said. “Campus sports, football in particular, is a very different and exciting experience. Tailgating in the Grove on game day is something I would never see at a Ukrainian university.”
She also praised UM’s Office of International Programs and the other MBA students in her class.
“Thanks to the different social activities, I’ve gotten acquainted with a lot of other international students. French people are the best,” Gnatiuk said. “And the School of Business can definitely be proud of the young, talented and smart students it has. They are the best ever – just brilliant!”
Established by the U.S. Congress in 1992 to encourage economic and democratic growth in Eurasia, the Muskie Graduate Fellows is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the State Department, and administered by IREX. By selecting emerging leaders from 12 countries of the former Soviet Union, the program aims to promote mutual understanding, build democracy and foster the transition to market economies in Eurasia through intensive academic study and professional training.
In addition to their academic programs, Muskie fellows gain exposure to American values through a community service experience and develop professional skills through a fulltime internship in their field of study.
For more information about the Muskie Fellowship Program, visit http://www.irexx.org/programs/muskie.
Fore more information about the UM School of Business Administration, visit http://business.olemiss.edu/