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Nastassia Herasimovich

Biography

Nastassia Herasimovich studied international law in Belarus until the government abruptly closed the European Humanities University for political reasons, which later became an online university and was reopened in Lithuania a couple of years later. At the time, Nastassia was interning in the United States. She immediately chose to continue her education, applying to American colleges and receiving her acceptance to Swarthmore within days. Nastassia was eventually allowed to complete her bachelor's degree with credits earned at Swarthmore, and graduated magna cum laude.

During her undergraduate college years in the United States, Nastassia tutored other Swarthmore students in German and Russian, and interned over the summer as a project coordinator with Amnesty International. "My motivations are my passion for change and the constant struggle to be free. I want to help other people avoid the condition of 'being a victim.'" Project finance, which is the long-term financing of infrastructure, industrial projects, and public services, attracts Nastassia's professional interest. "Through my work, I want to foster meaningful collaborations between governments and private parties, and, ultimately, help secure the future of transitioning and emerging democracies."    

A leading international law firm created a position for Nastassia after her Swarthmore graduation. She became involved in several important international projects, and also coordinated the firm's pro bono services to four Guantanamo detainees. Part of Nastassia's income from her full-time employment was sent home to her family in Belarus. She won a full scholarship at Swarthmore; her ability to devote all her attention and care to law school depended on the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship. "The thought of continuing to pursue a career that allows me to share my beliefs, and inspire and defend others, offers me immeasurable personal gratification."

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