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Exchange Me

Exchange Me

By Denys Andrushchenko

A podcast about exchange programs, by alumni for alumni. FLEX, UGRAD, Chevening, Open World, Fulbright, DAAD and 100+ more...
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6: Peace of Mind w/ FLEX’05 (WV🇺🇸) Katia Kulyk 🇺🇦

Exchange MeOct 26, 2021

00:00
39:12
16: Jeff Gospe (CA)🇺🇸 and his exchanges in France🇫🇷, West Germany🇩🇪, and communist Poland 🇵🇱

16: Jeff Gospe (CA)🇺🇸 and his exchanges in France🇫🇷, West Germany🇩🇪, and communist Poland 🇵🇱

  • How was it to be an exchange student before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall?
  • How was it to come to Moscow during the transition of the USSR to a market economy?
  • How was it to meet Gorbachov in person at Stanford and witness the dissolution of the Soviet Union?

Denys, the co-host of this show, spoke with Jeff Gospe* about these and many other stories to feed your curiosity and listen to four decades of exchanges and wisdom. There was so much information that the ExchangeMe team decided to split it into two episodes, the second fitting into a Global Response series.


What's inside this episode:

1:00 – meet Jeff!

5:30 – why taking tourism tours in 2-3 different languages;

09:30 – on national stereotypes before going to another country;

12:00 –  the US/USSR: on political systems comparison;

17:45 – Hoover Institute, meeting Gorbachov in Stanford and being interviewed by Ernst & Young (EY); going to Moscow eventually;

36:20 – youth exchange is even better education than Stanford because... 


*Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Stanford University. Since November 2005, he has been working as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. He is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa, California, and a person with vast experience in exchange programs, including the Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE).


Denys Andrushchenko is a FLEX 🇺🇸 alumnus, Future Leaders Connect 🇬🇧 member, EaP 🇪🇺 Civic Digital Fellow, past-president of the Rotary Club Cherkasy-Centre 🕊, and co-founder of the SUN Leaders Program 🇺🇦.


Listen to this and other episodes of #ExchangeMe at https://anchor.fm/xmepod [Spotify for Podcasters]


Share with friends and see the ways to help Ukraine today: https://supportukrainenow.org/

Want to unlock more value? Visit https://exchangemepodcast.com or send us a message at exchangemepodcast@gmail.com 

Jul 16, 202337:51
GR 4: Leo Shin from New Zealand 🇳🇿 on supporting Ukraine and breaking away from colonialism
Mar 27, 202325:43
GR 3: A voice from Pakistan🇵🇰 with Saadia

GR 3: A voice from Pakistan🇵🇰 with Saadia

Mar 16, 202340:58
15: After Studying in the West, She Brought English to the East w/ FLEX’14 (IL) 🇺🇸 Anna Devyatko 🇺🇦
Jan 30, 202342:48
XME 14: 2 alumnae, 1 family with FLEX'12 Anastasia Prokhorenko🇺🇦🇺🇸 and Co-host, FLEX'10 Tetyana Kondrya🇺🇦🇬🇧

XME 14: 2 alumnae, 1 family with FLEX'12 Anastasia Prokhorenko🇺🇦🇺🇸 and Co-host, FLEX'10 Tetyana Kondrya🇺🇦🇬🇧

Merry Christmas, the world!

Wow, we recorded this episode a year ago... But it is still war in Ukraine. Please see the ways to help Ukraine today: 

https://supportukrainenow.org/

Especially, we encourage you to donate to the SUN Leaders Program which provides scholarship to young leaders of Ukraine who address specific social issues helping this fearless country to win in the mid- to long-term.

What's inside this episode:

- one family, different arrival stories; one context, different perception;

- good relationships with family vs. good relationships with friends theory;

- when Tetyana went to the US, her host family's daughter was only 10; instead, Anastasia had to deal with a teenager as her sibling during the exchange year;

- Anastasia: a hilarious story of cooking mushrooms for her host family;

- Tetyana: on meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger.


After FLEX, Anastasia Prokhorenko🇺🇦 took place in the Ukraine Got Talent show (https://youtu.be/ESZtHR3JVtE). She also had to deal with her real mom's expectations. Currently, she lives in the US🇺🇸 covering her life on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClP647HvI5vezA_IsvmbTYA


After her year abroad, Tetyana Kondrya🇺🇦 found FLEX across all her life activities; it helped her to:

- obtain the first job;

- get an apartment in Kyiv via a trusted contact; 

- become a teacher assistant;

- join an IT company (now for 8 years!);

- and eventually move to the UK🇬🇧.


Your other co-host Denys Andrushchenko🇺🇦 is also a FLEX program alumnus of 2012, member of a Rotary Club Cherkasy-Centre, and a founder of the Leaders Fund. He stayed in Cherkasy, Ukraine, throughout the war.


Send us a screen of donation to exchangemepodcast@gmail.com to receive access to the full episode.

Also, don't forget to leave your feedback about our show on the platform where you are listening. Or send it to us directly via email!


Want to unlock more value? Visit: https://exchangemepodcast.com

Dec 25, 202241:33
GR 2: Global Response with Tom🇦🇺 and Simone🇮🇹
Sep 20, 202201:03:53
12: Building a Metaverse before it was cool: w/ Fulbright’13 (FL🇺🇸) Andres Vargas🇪🇨
Aug 24, 202254:22
GR 1: w/ Hasan and Ratul from Bangladesh 🇧🇩

GR 1: w/ Hasan and Ratul from Bangladesh 🇧🇩

"I would rather mark it as Invasion of Humanity by Russia in Ukraine."

In the first episode of the Global Response (GR) series, we talked with two Ukrainians (Yaroslava and Vira) and two Bangladeshis (Hasan and Ratul) to unpack the war in Ukraine in a global context. We especially thank the latter for contributing a more holistic view on this tragedy in the midst of Europe in 2022.

Both Hasan and Ratul represent GenLab, an organization that aims to create a platform for Bangladeshi youth to engage in social development process of the country by means of acting together to bring about positive change.

Established in 2015, GenLab has a clear vision for an inclusive and resilient world through a sustainable approach. Their mission is to empower people, particularly the youth, towards developing a peaceful, just and a sustainable world where actions are driven by innovation, integrity, and coexistence.

Guests:

Chowdhury Hasan Ibne Obayed🇧🇩, a software engineer specialized in FinTech. He works as a software developer in the Central Bank of Bangladesh. Hasan is Study of US Institute 🇺🇸 (SUSI’12) fellow.

Ratul Dev🇧🇩has founded GenLab. He is a development professional by choice and is focused on impact projects in his community. Ratul is the fellow of the following programs:

  • JENESYS 🇯🇵(Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths);
  • Professional Fellowship🇺🇸;
  • Global Exchange on Religion in Society (GERIS)🇪🇺;
  • the Swedish Institute Leader Lab🇸🇪;
  • an awardee of the Global SDG Talent by UNLEASH🇩🇰,
  • among others.

We also introduced our GR host Vira Konstantynova who is currently conducting her PhD thesis at the National Institute for Strategic Studies. Vira is from Mariupol🇺🇦 and has almost ten years of professional experience working at private and governmental institutions. She’s also the FLC’21 🇬🇧 fellow.

Joined by Yaroslava Fatiukha from Zaporizhzhya 🇺🇦 who is a FLEX’20🇺🇸 alumna and a President at Rotaract (RAC)🕊 club Zaporizhzhya (2022).

Read more about the project: https://exchangemepodcast.com

May 27, 202233:34
Presenting Global Response series

Presenting Global Response series

Global Response is a limited series under the ExchangeMe podcast umbrella to understand the perception of Ukraine in the world. 

See the original show: https://exchangemepodcast.com.

Summary

International politics is always a factor in how things are perceived. Our team wants to know how the world sees Ukraine. What was reported in the news before the war and during it? It is an opportunity to share the truth about our country and history with representatives from other parts of the world.

Who are we looking for:

  • Active citizens, members of local communities;
  • Who consider themselves a knowledgeable audience;
  • And are eager to share their perspective in a critical, respective manner;
  • Ideally open-minded: have been abroad and exposed to other cultures.
FAQ

Will this series focus solely on Ukraine? We envision it as a platform for discussion of any global conflict but hope that the atrocities conducted in Ukraine won’t repeat anywhere else.

Are you looking for experts? Not exactly, but we are open to knowledgeable audiences who have experience and want to voice their critical opinion.

Are you associated with the government? No. Although, we apply for grants from various countries as the Exchange Me team under the condition of producing original, uncensored content. We are also open to sponsorships that do not contradict our values of freedom, non-violence, and harmonic human development.

May 12, 202201:21
13: Indie singer Promsonya w/ FLEX’19 (NV🇺🇸) Sofiya Pylypenko 🇺🇦

13: Indie singer Promsonya w/ FLEX’19 (NV🇺🇸) Sofiya Pylypenko 🇺🇦

Donate to support Ukrainians via PayPal: exchangemepodcast@gmail.com

Having started volunteering at the age 13, Sofia (Sonya) was among creators of the Druzi ("Friends") youth space in Kostyantynivka (Donetsk oblast) supported by USAID (listen to XME 10).

After returning from FLEX program, she doubled down on her passion to music and started an indie project with her father: https://slukh.media/new-music/promsonya-new-name/

Timecodes:

00:01 Intro

01:13 Living in Las Vegas

07:00 An introvert challenge: open up!

11:41 What did you miss?

16:30 Music passion

18:30 Friends, festivals, and front line

27:00 Outro


There was also a cameo from Katia Kulyk (XME episodes 6 and 7).

Track used in the show: Promsonya - 2012

Listen to the artist and help grow her fan base!


Learn more about professional Ukrainians in English: http://kyivfuture.com

Read about our podcast on https://exchangemepodcast.com

It was your host, Denys Andrushchenko: a FLEX alumnus of 2012, member of a Rotary Club Cherkasy Centre, and founder of the Leaders Fund.

Mar 25, 202227:55
11: Destiny Has Something in Store for You w/ FLEX’19 (CA🇺🇸) Valeriia Rudnichenko 🇺🇦 🇵🇱

11: Destiny Has Something in Store for You w/ FLEX’19 (CA🇺🇸) Valeriia Rudnichenko 🇺🇦 🇵🇱

Jan 23, 202249:45
A Holiday Mix by FLEX’98 (NY🇺🇸) Dj Safin 🇺🇦
Jan 18, 202245:49
10: Serendipity and Cross-pollination w/ FLEX’10 (OH🇺🇸) Roman Vydro🇺🇦

10: Serendipity and Cross-pollination w/ FLEX’10 (OH🇺🇸) Roman Vydro🇺🇦

Roman is a co-founder of GarageHub. He is a brilliant engineer and project organizer, he led CACTUS camps in Ukraine and created a platform (an actual physical space) for people to build stuff. Denys talked with him about this, as well as his year in the US, an older sister who was an exchange student before him, and on monetizing culture. Listen now!

00:01 Preview

01:30 Having an older sister – also a FLEX alumna – as a role model. Identically great host families

08:57 Roman’s (and Lena’s) background; 4 trips to the US

12:13 One of the youngest FLEX participants

14:40 Advice to an introvert?

17:05 Integrating into a host community within an urbanized area next to Cleveland

22:10 Learning community service and serendipity

30:36 European Youth Parliament (EYP), Peace Corps in Ukraine, and “a hell of a difficult year of 2014”

34:22 Starting in a garage and turning it into Garage Hub

38:21 Garage Hub 2.0 – in search of sense (with USAID: UCBI)

42:38 Garage Hub 3.0 – in search of form and surviving the end of the world

46:20 Closing tips for participants of exchange students

48:15 - outro

Want to unlock more value? Support us on Patreon by donating to Leaders Fund: https://www.patreon.com/LeadersFund/

Read about our podcast on https://exchangemepodcast.com

This episode is supported by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy to Ukraine. The views of the authors and guests do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Government.

Dec 12, 202150:02
9: Embrace Changes w/ FLEX’03 (WA🇺🇸) Olga Shyshman 🇺🇦

9: Embrace Changes w/ FLEX’03 (WA🇺🇸) Olga Shyshman 🇺🇦

Meet our co-host Tetyana Kondrya, FLEX'10!

Our new episode is with FLEX alumna of 2003 Olga Shyshman (Lebedyna). She had to change 4 families with the patience and understanding of a Tibetan monk and continues to spread positivity wherever life takes her.

Currently, she works as a Partner Account Manager at Dell Technologies after previously spending 8 years at SAP. Listen to our conversation as we unpack her FLEX experience.

Read about our podcast on https://exchangemepodcast.com

Timecodes:

00:01 Preview 

01:07 – Why and how did Olga take part in the program?

12:03 – The sibling swap! Why Olga repeated her high school year in Ukraine 

07:21 – Flying to the States. The grand story of changing host families

14:33 – High School experience

16:38 – Competing for a place on a volleyball team and trying fun running (cross country)

20:11 – On making friends and Tanya’s theory

22:39 – Sweet memories… and grand challenges, once again

26:39 – Taking in Donetsk refugees purple

28:39 – From a receptionist at Oracle to an assistant to the Country Manager of SAP – on a career (influenced by FLEX). 

33:28 - Gender equality rose

Want to unlock more value? Support us on Patreon by donating to Leaders Fund: https://www.patreon.com/LeadersFund/

This episode is supported by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy to Ukraine. The views of the authors and guests do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Government.

Dec 02, 202136:34
8: A Poetess Living in Germany w/ FLEX’09 (KS🇺🇸) Nadia Telenchuk 🇺🇦 🇩🇪

8: A Poetess Living in Germany w/ FLEX’09 (KS🇺🇸) Nadia Telenchuk 🇺🇦 🇩🇪

From the Ukrainian city of Kherson to the US state of Kansas: the story of Nadia who “got hungry for impressions.” Curious fact: six years before she applied for FLEX, her father participated in the agricultural program in the same state.

Currently, Nadia lives in Germany after “literally falling in love with this country.”

00:01 intro

00:56 a brave trip to Kansas City and embarrassing moments at high school

05:12 how Nadia first heard about FLEX program and how her teacher convinced her to participate, the smart way

07:56 the interview: 3rd round of FLEX

09:50 FLEX is about flexibility

10:31 the Finalist Call moment

11:54 expectations about the US and how Nadia’s father went on exchange for agriculture specialists for 6 years prior

13:53 fighting for her dream (the boarding ticket, in fact)

17:11 the high school

20:20 literary hobby/passion

24:08 there is more to world

25:55 falling in love with Germany 🇩🇪

28:32 an unlimited residence permit

32:41 host family and going to a church… for food :)

35:35 babysitting in States and volunteering in Kherson

40:18 tips to FLEX finalist

Want to unlock more value? Support us on Patreon by donating to Leaders Fund: https://www.patreon.com/LeadersFund/

Read about our podcast on https://exchangemepodcast.com

This episode is supported by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy to Ukraine. The views of the authors and guests do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Government.

#XME8 #ExchangeMe #podcast #exchangestudent #studyabroad #DAAD #FLEX #EYP

Nov 22, 202141:44
7: We Are Laowai w/ FLEX’05 (WV🇺🇸) Katia Kulyk 🇺🇦🇨🇳 🇹🇭

7: We Are Laowai w/ FLEX’05 (WV🇺🇸) Katia Kulyk 🇺🇦🇨🇳 🇹🇭

She has lived in Thailand for 2,5 years and studied meditation with buddhist monks. She has lived in China for 5 years and wrote 2 books about foreigners and their perception in other countries and cultures. Meet the second part of our conversation with Katia (https://katiakulyk.com/)

00:01 Preview

00:45 Intro

01:52 Small talk culture

03:31 Foreign experience which started with Russia and a 36-hour train

05:54 Discussing the TransSiberian train (Serbia to China)

08:02 The toughest and most rewarding things I’ve learned: Meditation and Spirituality.

12:56 Retreats abroad and in the Carpathians, Khata Maysternya

15:48 The World Peace Initiative

16:38 Different stages in life make different transformation during exchange programs

17:39 “Every time it’s a bit transformative”

18:15 “China is the most different country in the world”

21:55 Beijing, Shanghai, and Qunmin – places where Katia stayed in China

24:47 Laowai the Book: funny stories from China and unusual cuisine

27:54 “We are creating out future right now.” A story about a girl from Palestine🇵🇸

32:26 A small NLP technique to shape your identity

35:59 The final advice from Katia

39:18 Outro

Want to unlock more value? Support us on Patreon by donating to Leaders Fund: https://www.patreon.com/LeadersFund/

Read about our podcast on https://exchangemepodcast.com

This episode is supported by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy to Ukraine. The views of the authors and guests do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Government.

Nov 09, 202140:25
6: Peace of Mind w/ FLEX’05 (WV🇺🇸) Katia Kulyk 🇺🇦
Oct 26, 202139:12
5: Exchanges to Internships w/ FLEX’12 (MI🇺🇸) Yevheniya Vodopyanova 🇺🇦

5: Exchanges to Internships w/ FLEX’12 (MI🇺🇸) Yevheniya Vodopyanova 🇺🇦

Read about our podcast on https://exchangemepodcast.com

00:01 Intro

00:43 Yevhenia’s trip to Michigan via Frankfurt, Washington DC, and Chicago.

05:23 Cultural shock

08:37 Host family

11:00 How surroundings shape us. How challenges unleash the hidden potential.

17:13 An American dream of becoming a cheerleader and a high school

19:53 Travelling with a sport team in a yellow bus

21:06 On skipping the 10th grade of the UA school and how Denys, the host, graduated at 19(!). Tips from Yevhenia.

22:22 “Not better, not worse, just different.”

22:41 How did you know about the Program?

24:19 Notice to parents

25:59 Reaction to the Finalist call

28:48 on gaining weight in the US

32:06 Most memorable moments in the US, including the community service.

35:36 Exchanges to Internships Program

Want to unlock more value? Support us on Patreon by donating to Leaders Fund: https://www.patreon.com/LeadersFund/

This episode is supported by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy to Ukraine. The views of the authors and guests do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Government.

Sep 23, 202139:20
4: How FLEX inspired me for tech w/ FLEX’12 (CO🇺🇸) Victoria Umanska🇺🇦🇵🇱
Sep 19, 202138:03
3: FLEX your identity w/ FLEX’08 (MO🇺🇸)Roman Koshovskyy 🇺🇦

3: FLEX your identity w/ FLEX’08 (MO🇺🇸)Roman Koshovskyy 🇺🇦

“Wealth = income - ego.”

Roman is a business analyst at SoftServe, author of youtube-series and a podcast named “GOALS on FIRE” about financial literacy, investments and meaningful life.

He is a Personal Finance Planner at iplan.ua – a consulting service that helps Ukrainians around the world to plan their life goals with smart financial and investment decisions and milestones. Roman also has a blog in Ukrainian called “Creativity. Development. Search”, where he shares the ideas on habits, psychology, good books, finances and a healthy & balanced lifestyle.

We talked about the following:

00:01 Intro

00:39 Roman’s background

01:42 Learning the importance of English from a Counter Strike game

06:32 His Finalist call moment

11:11 Missouri – “a normal state with somewhat interesting history”

18:20 Cheerleaders are indeed the most popular kids

19:42 Why do American families volunteer to host exchange students?

23:00 How extracurricular activities help students to socialize, find support, and shape their identity

29:01 Social media back in 2007

31:12 Charity and a lift-a-thon

36:19 Orlando, Florida, and navigating the future profession

40:37 Work and Travel and other insights

44:18 On financially freedom and literacy

54:35 Outro

Books mentioned by the guest:

  1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
  2. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
  3. Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson
  4. Unshakeable: Your Guide to Financial Freedom by Tony Robbins
  5. StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath
  6. The Mask of Masculinity by Lewis Howes

For Ukrainian listeners – read “Lifestyle inflation” article and examine your life and spending habits.

Some other quotes that Roman cited:

  • “If you let your learning lead to knowledge, you become a fool. If you let your learning lead to action, you become wealthy,” — Jim Rohn;
  • Rich equals to current income while wealth is unspent or hidden income;
  • “Wealth creation is not an end… It's a crucial aspect of achieving a person's purposeful life.” So wealth can help you provide meaning by helping others and building your own good life. More in this summary;
  • “Prosperity is a combination of health, wealth, happiness, and love.”
  • “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”

Want to unlock more value? Support us on Patreon by donating to Leaders Fund: https://www.patreon.com/LeadersFund/

Read about our podcast on https://exchangemepodcast.com

This episode is supported by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy to Ukraine. The views of the authors and guests do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Government.

Aug 02, 202155:29
2: The Art of Soft Power w/ FLEX'14 (CA🇺🇸) Yulia Popyk 🇺🇦
Jul 16, 202145:23
XME 1. Immigrant by Accident w/ FLEX 2001 (CO🇺🇸) Vitaliy Deputat 🇺🇦🇨🇦
Jul 14, 202133:34