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Tetiana was born and resides in Ternopil. Since her school days, she actively participated in student self-government. She is pursuing a master’s degree in «Finance, Banking, and Insurance» at Ternopil National Technical University (TNTU). She has practical experience in providing financial consultations and forming investment portfolios. She joined the USF (Ukrainian Students for Freedom) in the summer of 2023, where she was inspired by the idea of libertarianism.
«USF is a powerful community united by the idea of Freedom. We first met at the Leadership Program, and I was pleasantly surprised by the concentration of intelligent, ambitious, and progressive young people. I resonate with their vibe and values, so I am proud to be a part of USF».
Ivan is a volunteer, traveler, blood donor, and street-ager. In 2019, he began his volunteer journey with the Chortkivsky Pass cycling race and the Fine City festival. Later, in 2021, he resumed his volunteer activities and joined the first NGOs, where he began to create and attend events, meet people and travel around Ukraine. And in 2024, he participated in the Leadership Program and joined the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. To be continued)
I am happy because I am writing these words freely now.
The ability to make decisions is freedom, and the kind of decisions you make determine how free a person you become.
Alexandre Khomych has been an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Liberty (USF) since 2024. He was born in Portugal but moved to Ukraine at a very young age. He grew up and studied in Ternopil, where he graduated from high school in 2023 and enrolled at the Ternopil National Technical University named after Ivan Puluj. Since early 2022, he has volunteered with the “Hearts of Freedom” charitable foundation, and in the summer of 2024, after participating in the “Leadership Program,” he became an activist of the USF.
Freedom is the oxygen for self-development. Without it, it is impossible to grow personally or to develop one’s country. That is why, for me, it is the most important ideal. People in the USF, like no one else, share these ideals and carry them to the people. It is thanks to them, to individuals from organizations with similar ideas, and to conscious Ukrainians that we can change our country for the better. I believe in this and truly hope for it.
Sofiia-Bohdana has been a USF activist since August 2024. She was born, raised, and graduated from high school in Dolyna, Ivano-Frankivsk region, and has been living in Ternopil for the past 4 years, as she entered the Western Ukrainian University in 2021 to study Tourism. In 2020, she joined the newly created Youth Council in her hometown, where her civic work began. In December 2021, she became one of the co-founders of the Hyzhka Youth Center in her hometown, and later began working there as a project manager and GESI-consultant. At the age of 19, she won her first grant for $5,000 and later implemented her first grant, which aimed to counteract gender discrimination and stereotypes about women in the community. In 2023, she became acquainted with the USF during the Freedom Fire forum held in Ternopil, where her journey of learning about libertarian values began. Later, in the same year, she joined the team of volunteers at the NGO Ternopil Youth Center, where she still volunteers today. In June 2024, she became a youth worker, and in August of the same year, she joined the NGO Ukrainian Students for Freedom as an activist. “For me, ‘Freedom’ is a right that, unfortunately, has to be fought for, that is not given to you for free. It is an opportunity to realize one’s potential and dreams. It is an opportunity to be creative and to bring benefit and contribution to the development of civil society”.
Freedom means responsibility, which is why most people are afraid of it.
George Bernard Shaw
Kateryna has been an activist of the USF since 2023. Originally from the city of Ternopil. Now she is studying in the 3rd year of her master’s degree at TNMU named after I. Ya. Gorbachevskiy in the specialty “medicine”. Since 2019, she has been actively involved in volunteering, has been teaching First Aid for 3 years, and shares her knowledge and experience with the public. In 2021 – 2023, she was a deputy of the Youth City Council. The USF met in 2022 and has not parted with the idea of freedom since then.
«FREEDOM is the taste of the air you inhale and exhale».
Sofia is a USF activist. She was born in a small village in the Khmelnytskyi region, where she graduated from school. In 2021, she entered the Khmelnytskyi Economic and Legal Professional College of the MAUP majoring in Law, where she took an active part in the public life of the city. Later, in 2023, she entered the Western Ukrainian National University majoring in Information Technologies, where she continues to study.
«Let’s be free!»
Oleksandra is an activist of the USF. She grew up in the metallurgical city of Kryvyi Rih, where not only metal is hardened, but also character. In 2019, she entered Ternopil Medical University. In her alma mater, she joined the ranks of student self-government, trying to improve the conditions of study and development of students. While studying to be a doctor, you understand as much as possible how important volunteering is, so he also takes an active part in this field. Sincerity, empathy, and humor are part of her life, which is harmoniously combined with the frantic rhythm of everyday life.
«For me, USF is not just a civil organization, it is an incredible team of young and motivated people who inspire you. Youth is a leading force that must fight and defend its Freedom».
Yaroslav was born in Ternopil. Here he finished his studies in the history class of the lyceum school, after which, naturally, he obtained a full higher education at the history faculty of the Ternopil Pedagogical University. Since 2018, he has been actively involved in volunteering at an NGO. 2020 can be considered the year of his informal entry into the ranks of the organization because since that time he has been inextricably linked with the founders of the Ternopil branch of the USF, who also turned out to be his old friends even on a part-time basis. At the Leadership Program of 2023, he was finally established in the USF as a full-fledged activist, after almost three years of active support, which included both the co-organization of events of the Ternopil branch and a lecture at one of them.
«An expression of freedom is the awareness of one’s subjectivity concerning the surrounding reality, as a consequence – the awareness of the ability to make changes in this reality by exerting volitional efforts. USF is precisely an environment that accumulates people with similar views and similar intentions, so why not try to unite your aspirations with like-minded people?»
Diana Kristina is an activist of the USF. Since 2019, he has been studying at the Ternopil National Medical University named after I. Horbachevsky in the specialty ‘Medicine’. In 2020, she entered the Ternopil National Pedagogical University named after V. Hnatyuk majoring in ‘Psychology’. Since her first year, she was engaged in volunteering and was a member of the information sector of the university’s student parliament. Also, she was an active member of the public organization “League of Students of Ternopil region” and held the positions of vice president of the department of cooperation with public organizations and deputy head of the strategic marketing department there. Over time, she became an honorary member of the organization. She was a delegate in the Youth Regional State Administration. She joined USF back in 2022, when she was a medic at the Leadership Program and fell in love with the organization and people there, and already in 2023 she became an activist. Now actively volunteers at the ‘Hearts of Freedom’ charitable foundation.
‘USF are the values of Freedom. These are people with whom I am ready to conquer the peaks. Freedom is a weapon, a value and a goal to which we must steadily go. This is what I am ready to die for and what I am ready to live for. This is something worth fighting for. What makes me a person. What is worth striving for and what is worth conquering.’
Liliia was born in the city of Ternopil. As a child, she was a very versatile child, she liked to draw, dance, was a little gymnast, swimming, embroidery, wrestling, and many other hobbies. She even started to build a sports career in wrestling, but after several victories, she realized that it was not for her. Mathematics was always her favorite subject at school, she even attended the All-Ukrainian Olympiad in logical problems. In her school years, she became interested in the world of technology, and decided to try programming. Later, she realized that this is the field in which Lilia wants to develop professionally. That is why, after the 9th grade, she entered a technical college, majoring in computer science. He is currently studying in the 2nd year.
I found out about USF thanks to a friend who suggested that she fill out a form for PL 2023. After getting to know the main values of the organization, she realized that this is the community of people she wants to be a part of.
‘Why USF? Because this is about Freedom. Why Freedom? Because only a free person can be happy.’
Ivanna comes from Rivne region. She first studied humanities in depth Aat the gymnasium, , and then switched to natural sciences, which helped her enter the medical university of TNMU. She is currently a 5th year student. She has known about the organization for a long time, but joined it in August 2022.
“USF is about people, about free, strong, able to create changes”
Oleh is an activist of the USF. He grew up in Ternopil. He studied there and graduated from school. He studies at the Ternopil National Technical University named after I. Puluya in the field of “Finance, banking and insurance”. In 2018-2019, he studied at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago. Joined the libertarian movement in the summer of 2022 after entering the Leadership Program in Medzhibozh.
‘Our generation sees with its own eyes that freedom is ideas worth fighting for, ideas that are being fought for right now. It is difficult to fight alone, and USF united students in a common idea, a common goal, so that every step of ours leads us on the right path. It is the union that makes us stronger. And I am sure that with these people we will bring many changes – first of all in our own lives.’
Olesya comes from a small village in the Lviv region, but for the past 3 years she has been living in Ternopil, where she is studying political science. She began to show interest in political ideologies and public activism since her teenage years, volunteered on various projects and interacted with people who advocated different views on political life. She decided to join the organization because the idea of freedom has always been the greatest value for her, and the USS unites such people.
“Freedom is joy. And as Zhadan wrote: “joy is what comes with a fight.” These words pop into my head every time I think about the idea of freedom. USS makes me happy, because around me I see people who have similar values and who are ready to fight for them. Ukrainian Students for Freedom is not only about the confidence that we have something to fight for, it is about the confidence that we have someone to fight for. USS is about the people of freedom.”
Maryana has been a USS activist since 2022. She was born and raised in the city of Ternopil. Studied and graduated from school in 2020 and entered Volodymyr Hnatyuk Ternopil National Pedagogical University in the same year. Mastering the specialty “history (secondary education)”. Takes an active part in the student life of the university and in the scouting organization. She joined the Libertarian movement in the summer of 2022, when she attended the USF congress in Medzhibyzh.
What is “Ukrainian Students for Freedom”? Firstly, this is a community where you can find a circle of like-minded people who support the most important value – freedom-loving and rebelliousness to break the oppression that the Russian Federation is trying to drive us into. Secondly, the opportunity to become an active and conscious citizen of Ukraine and defend the right path to freedom and democracy.
Freedom is a luxury that not everyone can afford. (O. Bismarck)
Taras is an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. He grew up in the Ternopil region, where, after graduating from school, he entered the Faculty of History of the Ternopil National Pedagogical University in 2019., where he acquires knowledge in the field of historian-archaeologist. He is actively engaged in researching the archaeological heritage of Ukraine. In 2022, as a volunteer, he took part in the expedition of the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, which investigated an archaeological site in the Chernivtsi region. Public organizations, according to Taras, are the key to the development of democracy, so he decided to try the Leadership Program 2022 from the Ukrainian Students for Freedom, as a result of which he joined an organization close to his values.
‘USF is a community of active young people who strive to change Ukraine for the better. It is an honor to be part of such a community. The foundations on which the organization stands are common to all developed countries, which are considered exemplary for us. Thanks to this community, Ukraine will become a model for others in the future.’
Tamara is a student at West Ukrainian National University, where she study journalism. Also, she’s a student at Tavrida National University at the Philology faculty (Hebrew language). She loves the East culture since her childhood, so Tamara is also studying Japanese and is a member of a Korean cover dance team. But, of course, there is nothing that can exceed her love for Ukraine, that’s how she joined USF in 2022 after completing the “Leadership Program”. Tamara is a part of the Ternopil center, she’s actively participating in different international programs where she represents Ukraine and spreads people’s awareness of our country
“In the end, all our hearts United into one We will be together until the end When the day comes” – these words stayed in my mind for a long time after finishing the Leadership Program, because they so pithily describe USF. It’s about freedom, about people, about fighting for a free country. A big family, which will stand up for everyone»
VitalII is a schoolboy who got into the public sector. Since 2021, a member of the NGO “League of Students of Ternopil”, holds the position of vice president of the SMM department.
You call yourself free. Free from what, or free for what?
Yuliia Nazar has been an active member of Ukrainian Students for Freedom (USF) NGO since 2021. She was born and raised in the picturesque and beautiful city of Ternopil. She studied at the elementary school with in-depth study of the foundations of economics and I.Franko Ternopil Ukrainian Gymnasium. At present, she is mastering the occupation of “Design” at Ternopil Cooperative Vocational College. She takes an active part in the student life of the college and she is the chairman of the Student Government. Studying problems young people are faced with urged her to search for information and like-minded people, whom she found among the active members of the «Ukrainian Students for Freedom» (USF) NGO. Participation in the Leadership Program 2021 shaped a clear vision of the future and made her realize that students and young people are the driving force of our country.
«Young people, students, in particular, have always been the driving force and have taken leading parts in all the most important events in the turbulent history of our nation. I am convinced that it is the conscious youth, coming from all over the country and united in one team, will be able to change the situation in Ukraine for the better. Freedom is the most valuable thing we possess, it is something we have been fighting for throughout centuries, and still, we limit ourselves within some boundaries, restricting our freedoms, losing the opportunity to be free through illiteracy and our own ignorance. Therefore, I believe that young people should unite and defend their freedoms together, improving their own positions, ensuring a secure future for themselves and their country.»
Olexandra is an activist of the USF. She was born in Rivne, where she studied at a school with in-depth study of foreign languages, then moved to Kamianets-Podilskyi, where she graduated from the historical profile of the lyceum. Since 2017 he has been studying at the Ternopil National Medical University in the field of “Medicine”. She joined the libertarian movement in the summer of 2021, when she became a member of the Leadership Program on the shores of the Kiev Sea.
«”USF – is about people.” You will hear about it constantly and from everyone who is in this organization. And it really is. It is about those conscious students who have an irresistible desire to change something for the better, to defend freedom and build a country. It’s about those people with whom you understand, they are so close, about those who are always ready to help and support you. It is about those who will give you the sincerest hugs, their warmth and energy. These are insanely inspired people who are constantly working to make us all comfortable living in the country we call home. USF is about freedom. Everyone’s freedom to be themselves, to be individual and independent. USF – about opportunities. Opportunities to create, implement their ideas and promote them in the lives of Ukrainians. USF is about lifestyle, home and people.»
Alina was born and raised in the Khmelnytsky region. Since 2018 she has been studying at Ternopil National Medical University. Specialty “Pharmacy and Industrial pharmacy”. From the second year, she is a member of the Student Parliament of TNMU, where she worked as the head of the Information Sector for the last term. She joined USS in 2021 for Leadership Program.
‘USF for me are first and foremost about people. People who are impressed by their active public position and desire for change, who are ready to fight for their ideas till the last. I got to know about the USS in 2020 and just admired their courage, so when I saw the questionnaire for the Leadership Program, I immediately filled it out. USS is about freedom, ideas and family!’
Sofia has been an activist in the USF since 2021. She grew up in Zbarazh, Ternopil region, where she graduated. He is studying in the 2nd year of the bachelor’s degree of Ternopil National Pedagogical University named after Volodymyr Hnatyuk. Actively participates in the student life of the university.
«USF for me, it’s about free people. Free in terms of their rights to life and activity. We want and make the future where the young generation is the generation of change. People here are the main driver.»
Nazar grew up in the city of Kryvyi Rih, where he graduated from the Humanities and Technology Lyceum with in-depth study of mathematics. From 2016 to the present he is studying at Ternopil National Medical University in the field of “Dentistry”. He joined the libertarian movement in the summer of 2020, when he joined the leadership program in Vinnytsia. From 2017 to 2020, the first deputy chairman of the Student Parliament of TNMU. From 2019-2020 he was vice president of the Ukrainian Students’ Association. In 2020 he became a co-founder of the NGO “League of Students of Ternopil Region”.
‘For me, the idea of freedom is first and foremost a way to the spiritual and material enrichment of man. This is exactly the thesis I carry with me throughout my life. When people choose between bread and freedom, they eventually lose everything, including bread. If the people choose freedom, they will have bread grown by themselves and not taken away by anyone. It is through the prism of this opinion that every Ukrainian should consider the events taking place in the country, and this is what I see in the people around me in the USL.’
Denis grew up in the city of Uman until 2013, after that he moved to Ternopil, where he finished school. From 2015 to 2019 he studied at the Ternopil Technical College named after Ivan Pulyuy in the field of “Computer Engineering”, then he continued his studies at the Ternopil National Technical University named after Ivan Pulyuy. Since the end of 2018, Denis has been a member of the public organization “Science Center of Ternopil”. In the summer of 2020, he became an activist for Ukrainian Students for Freedom.
USF pays special attention to two areas: youth and freedom. For me, the ideas of freedom are always top priorities, this is the goal which I work for. Young people are the most powerful driving force in the country. Young people are those individuals who have promoted the world’s greatest changes, overthrew tyrants and wanted a better life for all. I do not want to leave my native country in search of happiness and dignified life, so we are building it here and now.
Valeriy grew up in the city of Kherson, where he graduated from school. Since 2019 he has been studying at the Kherson National Technical University in the field of “Software Engineering”. He joined the libertarian movement in August 2020, when he joined the Leadership Program. From the very beginning of his studies at the university, Valeriy took an active part in student life. From February 2020 he held the position of head of the sports and health sector of student government. In November 2020, he was elected president of the student parliament of KNTU.
What is freedom for me? It is the philosophy of entrepreneurship, indifference and active life position, independence of my country – Ukraine. It was at USF that I found like-minded people who also want to wake up tomorrow in a free and developed country and that is why they are working for this goal today.