Olga Yarychkivska

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“One of the most important moments of my life was my decision to come to the U.S. to attend college. The main driving force for me is my passion for studying, learning about new things, advocating for different issues, and being curious about the world around me.”

  • Program: 2009 Graduate Scholarship Recipient
  • Resides: Huntingdon Valley, PA
  • Hometown: Nadvirna, Ukraine
  • Age: 23

Biography

PROFILE: A high school science laboratory might not seem to be an exciting place for a 16-year-old, but to Olya Yarychkivska it was a haven that provided her a ticket not only to study in America but to a promising future in research. Currently beginning graduate school, Olya is still passionate about the scientific research which she first learned in those drafty school labs in her hometown in Ukraine. She brought that passion with her to her new home, first at Manor College in Pennsylvania, then to Drexel University. Also an accomplished musician and artist, as well as deeply involved in environmental issues, Olya is a perfect example of the type of scholar the Foundation seeks to assist.

 INSPIRATION: A biology teacher at her high school encouraged Olya to learn “beyond the scope of the classroom.”
 
ASPIRATION: Olya wants to employ scientific research to cure cancer and to contribute to the development of science in Ukraine.
 
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Olya has volunteered with various groups, both on campus and with her church in Pennsylvania. She’s also involved with Plast Ukrainian Scouting, an organization that began in her native country in the early 1900s. Through Plast, Olya tutors five 14-year-old girls each weekend, keeping them focused on their school work and helping them grow to become upstanding members of the community. This summer she is going to Ukraine with Ukrainian Special Needs Orphanage Fund to be a translator at a conference about the treatment of Children with Down Syndrome.
 
ACCOLADES: She has been awarded the AJ Drexel Scholarship and was an honor student both at Manor College and Drexel.
 
INTERESTING FACT: Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris, watch out! Olya has studied Kung-Fu.

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