Pre-Departure Orientation, August 17, 2026
On August 17, 2026, the American Councils Ukraine team conducted a Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) in Kyiv for BridgeUSA UPRR finalists who will travel to their U.S. host institutions in Fall 2026. The orientation was designed to reinforce the goals, objectives, and program requirements prior to participants’ departure to the United States. During the session, fellows learned more about their university placements, life and culture in the United States, as well as relevant U.S. rules, regulations, and policies. The program also highlighted alumni engagement opportunities and follow-on activities planned upon participants’ return to Ukraine.
Erik Pugner, Cultural Affairs Officer, and Viktoria Mikhailenko, Education Projects Coordinator, from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv joined the event and delivered welcoming remarks. The orientation also featured introductions from the American Councils Ukraine team, including Anatoliy Kurta, Executive Director; Nataliia Misiura, Director of Programs; and Diana Shalashna, BridgeUSA UPRR Program Coordinator.
This year’s finalists will be traveling to the following U.S. host institutions: the University of Notre Dame, the University of Arkansas, the University at Buffalo, Miami University (Ohio), and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Participants represent a range of disciplines critical to Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, including Urban Planning, Mental Health, Agricultural Technology, Engineering, Healthcare, and Medicine.
Pre-departure orientation (PDO) was preceded by Pre-Program Orientation (PPO), an online three-week component for the BridgeUSA UPRR finalists. During the PPO, participants explored the following topics: U.S. Culture, U.S. Higher Education and Maintaining Partnerships. Participants joined virtual events with the BridgeUSA UPRR team and alumni.
American Councils and the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv anticipate that the BridgeUSA UPRR fellows will spend one month at their U.S. host universities where they will learn about teaching methodologies, professional development opportunities, research methods, classroom lecturing and pedagogy, university administrative processes and procedures, and will collaborate with a U.S. faculty mentor to excel at their teaching and research and thereafter will educate and train professionals critical to Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
BridgeUSA UPRR Program is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv with additional funding provided by U.S. host institutions and administered by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS.