International Trip Day 5 - The Transition of Ukraine and Class 41

In the year 2000, former President Bill Clinton gave a speech in Ukraine inspiring the people of this country to realize their tremendous potential. Twelve years later we find ourselves at the US Embassy in the city of Kyiv hearing both American and Ukrainian diplomats still discussing this unrealized potential. The definition of potential is: "having the capacity to develop into something in the future". This applies not only to Ukraine, but to us as leaders. Our second day in Kyiv highlighted the many challenges faced by the people of Ukraine while in transition from the Soviet dominated past into a uniquely Ukrainian future. An array of speakers at the Embassy discussed topics including: agriculture, politics, economics, and business, as well as national demographics. This included a question and answer session with the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, John Teft. The agenda organized by Ag Attaché Randall Hager was impressive. The U.S. Foreign Service staff was not only informative, but was also incredibly hospitable.





From there, we visited the Kyiv National Economic University where we met with students and faculty. It was a great opportunity to hear the thoughts and concerns of Ukraine\'s young people and their vision for the future of their country. It was inspiring to see the hope in their eyes and the pride in their country. To many of us, it was a shock to see the stark differences between University facilities in Kiyv and California. In spite of the lack of modern facilities, the caliber of students and their academic endeavors were extremely impressive and humbling.

We ended our day with a reception at our hotel with a number of guests including Ukrainian and American industry professionals and staff from the US Embassy. The reception provided us with a venue to continue dialogue, develop relationships, and create opportunities for future collaboration. As much as we learned about Ukraine this day, it has only aroused greater curiosity about the future of a twenty one year old country with 1200 year old roots.

Joey Mendonca     Cesar Hernandez    Stephanie Tillman