Colonel Andrii Balendr has devoted the past 27 years serving in the Ukrainian military, continuously striving to enhance its capabilities in every way possible. With over two decades of experience as an English instructor, he plays a pivotal role in preparing Ukrainian forces for international collaboration. As the head of the Language Training and Testing Center at Bohdan Khmelnytskyi National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Balendr is at the forefront of improving English proficiency among the military personnel of his institution and the agency.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has increasingly collaborated with the European Union on border protection and security, thus making English proficiency essential for effective military operations. Balendr’s dedication to his country and profession motivated him to apply for the BridgeUSA academic fellowship in hopes of transforming English language training within the military.