Student Voice

The first episode of season 3 of the Student Voice podcast focuses on and is dedicated to recognizing 31 years of Ukrainian independence, while at the same time, recognizing six months since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Podcast host and SUSK "Student" Editor Alexandra Holyk speaks to several notable members of the Ukrainian community in Canada about the broader implications of the war, now entering its seventh month; the outcome of initiatives started in an effort to raise money to help Ukraine; and how social media can be used to showcase some of the stories of those who fled their war-torn home country. Guests include Olena Goncharova of the Kyiv Independent, Andy Semotiuk of CEED, Christian Borys of Saint Javelin, and 19-year-old viral TikToker Andrian Makhnachov. 

In this episode, SUSK "Student" Editor and Student Voice host Alexandra Holyk sits down with the co-presidents of the McMaster Ukrainian Students' Association (MUSA), Emilia Pasternak and Orest Benko, to discuss how the last two years of the pandemic and all its restrictions have impacted the club's planned events and initiatives, and its membership's overall engagement. Find out what they have in store in the coming months — Alexandra's interview with Emilia and Orest starts at 2:40.

In the first episode of Student Voice Season 2, "Student" Editor and podcast host Alexandra Holyk gives listeners the Tl;DR of the past couple of months at SUSK. We also hear from Danya Pankiw — the newly-elected president of SUSK. That's not all! As part of a new effort to connect listeners with USOs across the country, Alexandra speaks with Christina Strilets from the University of Alberta Ukrainian Students' Society as well as Marysa Fosty from the University of Winnipeg Ukrainian Students Association. 

In the tenth episode of Student Voice, "Student" Editor Alexandra Holyk sits down with SUSK Secretary and president of the UVic Ukrainian Students' Society Chase Gargus to discuss Pride and the LGBTQ+ community in Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora. They consider the past and the present situation of the LGBTQ+ community in Ukraine, as well as the commemoration (or lack thereof) of Pride amongst Ukrainian organizations here in Canada. Chase also recalls his experience participating in the Pride parade in Kyiv in 2019 and offers advice for USOs interested in holding their own Pride events within their campus communities.

In this episode of Student Voice, show host and "Student" editor Alexandra Holyk clears up any confusion and lays down everything the community needs to know about SUSK's upcoming initiatives and events leading up to Congress in August. May 31 is the last day to sign up for Sweat with SUSK and get a discounted Congress ticket with your purchase!

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sweat-with-susk-tickets-148114220621

In this episode, Student Editor and podcast host Alexandra Holyk speaks to former professor at the University of Manitoba, Myroslav Shkandrij, about the importance of commemorating and learning about Taras Shevchenko beyond the years of elementary and Ukrainian school. For those students who may not have grown up learning about Shevchenko or some of Ukraine's other great writers and artists, Shkandrij says it's not too late to learn; with translations of many poems and stories available online. Shkandrij also reveals some of his favourite Ukrainian writers, take notes and you, too, can start reading the backbone stories of Ukrainian literature, culture and history. 

In this short episode, show host and Student Editor Alexandra Holyk and SUSK Project Director Kira Dzulynsky breakdown the latest initiative to be launched by SUSK in the coming weeks — SUSK Connect. The importance of connections particularly when it comes to our careers coming out of post-secondary is discussed, as well as SUSK's Linkedin page?

In this episode of Student Voice, SUSK "Student" editor Alexandra Holyk breaks down the role of the national coordinator, with a special interview with SUSK's new national coordinator herself, Danya Wasylyk.

In the Christmas Special episode of Student Voice, hear from all of this year's executives! Stephanie, Chase, Irina, Marc, Devon, Raya, Maya, Nykola, Danya, Nastia, Kira, Larisa, Roman and Alexandra share their favourite holiday traditions and how they're planning on adapting to a COVID-19 Christmas. 

To sign-up for SUSK's Koliada Campaign, please email your regional VP (vp-east@susk.ca, vp-central@susk.ca, vp-west@susk.ca). 

In this episode, "Student" editor and Student Voice podcast host Alexandra Holyk delves into involvement in the Ukrainian-Canadian community and how that can strengthen connections to one's ancestral roots, even if they're families immigrated from Ukraine to Canada a long time ago. Our special guest, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada Andriy Shevchenko discusses some ways of getting further involved in the community and how students in Canada can help Ukraine, while hinting at some organizations he's worked with during his time here. He also answers a pressing question: Does being able to speak the language define you as a Ukrainian? Find out by listening to the latest episode of Student Voice.

In the first-ever Student Voice episode, show host Alexandra Holyk speaks with SUSK president Roman Grod about online Congress and the various resolutions and goals put forward for the year. These include organizing a student mentorship program, trips to Ukraine, and implementing a zero-tolerance policy for Holodomor deniers. They also discuss ways to support Ukrainian Student Organizations (USOs) at post-secondary institutions across the country as most events are expected to be online for the fall semester. SUSK's alumni will also be able to participate in a new project organized by alumni director Raissa Dzulynsky — a monthly Zoom panel will be held to discuss past SUSK executives' present-day success in their occupational fields. Check out the episode now!