We are pleased to share with you the results of the UGS Internship Program 2025 and the UGS Social Impact Internship Fund, which was launched the previous year. Both programs are central to our strategic vision of the Repatriation Program alongside additional initiatives to support returns to Ukraine.
The program achieved notable progress in 2025, particularly a 57% increase in the number of internships compared to the previous year. In 2025, 94 internships were completed – the highest number since the program’s launch in 2017.
The number of partner companies and institutions willing to provide internship opportunities has increased by at least 35% since 2024, demonstrating strong support for the program’s mission. This year, 38 companies hosted UGS students.
Additionally, since the beginning of the year, five Memorandums of Cooperation have been signed with partner organizations (the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Sense Bank, Iron Squad by Ukrzaliznytsia, Amnesty International Ukraine, and the Kolomyia City Council).
In terms of participation, 34% of students completed more than one internship during the 2025 UGS Internship Program.
Most employers hosted more than one intern. The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine hosted the largest number of interns, welcoming 16 students across its projects – a significant milestone in our collaboration. The second largest host, Snake Island Institute, co-founded by Maryna Hrytsenko, UGS alumna (UGS ’18, Vassar ’23), engaged 13 interns in projects strengthening the U.S.-Ukraine security partnership.
Building on last year’s success, the UGS Social-Impact Internship Fund (SIIF) initiative was continued and further developed this year to encourage students to intern at high-impact organizations in Ukraine by providing financial support for unpaid and low-paying internships.
This year, UGS Social Impact Internship Fund scholarships were awarded to 22 students who completed unpaid internships at 14 Ukrainian companies and organisations.
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine hosted 4 UGS interns in 2025: Yeo Bondar (UGS ‘20, Bowdoin College ‘27), Anna Kalynchuk (UGS ‘23, Northfield Mount Hermon ‘26), Kateryna Saltovets (UGS ‘21, Lehigh University ‘26), and Sofia Sokol (UGS ‘22, Godolphin School ‘26).
“During this period, I not only got to know the work of the civil service ‘from the inside,’ but also became directly involved in its functioning and had the opportunity to contribute to the development of recommendations for improving the education system in Ukraine,” Anna said.
“This experience inspired me to seek similar opportunities in the future in order to improve my knowledge in this field and contribute to future changes at the intersection of acquired experience and deep inner calling,” Sofia shared.
Yeo said, “Turns out the Ministry is full of inspiring people, thoughtful conversations, and good vibes–I left convinced I’d want to come back.”
“I was impressed by how open-minded people working in MON were,” Kateryna added.
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine was pleased with the UGS interns team, with the representatives noting that “all participants showed themselves from their best side. They were focused and organized, quick-witted, with research skills and AI application skills.”
Superhumans Center Lviv, a nationwide rehabilitation center for war trauma, specializing in prosthetics, rehabilitation, facial and limb reconstructive surgery, hearing restoration, and support to a full return to active life of military personnel and civilians affected by the Russian full-scale invasion since 2022, hosted 2 UGS interns this year.
Sofiia Tretiak (UGS ‘22, Middlebury College ‘27) was an intern of the Department of Social Reintegration at Superhumans Center Lviv.
“I cannot express how meaningful this experience has been. Interning at the Superhumans Center allowed me to serve the people of my country while developing professionalism and emotional maturity in my interactions. It also helped me realize what I want in my future career – working in an in-person team environment and contributing to work that feels deeply meaningful, even if it sometimes gets emotionally challenging,” Sofiia said.
NGO “Military Families Support Office” hosted Yaryna Kholod (UGS ‘20, Wesleyan College ‘28) this summer.
“During my internship at the Office for the Support of Military Families in Lviv, my primary goal was to improve the fundraising situation. Throughout my internship, I witnessed the importance of the all-encompassing support (legal, psychological, career orientation, financial empowerment, community-building) that the Office provides to the families of the defenders of Ukraine, which makes it incredible that I was able to contribute to ensuring the future of this organization,” Yaryna says.
“First of all, we would like to thank the organization for its great work in supporting Ukrainian youth to study abroad and return to their homeland to strengthen the state’s ability to resist Russian military aggression and continue reforms aimed at joining the European Union. We would also like to express our gratitude for the internship at the Military Families Support Office to Yaryna Kholod, a participant in the Ukraine Global Scholars 2020 Program.
Yaryna provided us with important support in strengthening the financial sustainability of the organization, assessing the needs of families in terms of access to social services, communication and networking events, etc.” shared Ulyana Surmay, Head of the NGO “Military Families Support Office.
We look forward to seeing the UGS Internship Program grow even further next year. Stay tuned for more student stories and other community updates.
