Georgia State University Hosts Ukrainian Civil Servants for Intensive English Program 

Editor’s note: This article was contributed by Georgia State University’s Office of International Initiatives through its partnership with Global Atlanta.

This summer, Georgia State University had the unique honor of hosting 19 Ukrainian government officials and civil servants as part of an intensive English language and professional development program.

Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of State and facilitated through the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, this program aims to enhance the participants’ English proficiency and professional skills, crucial for Ukraine’s development and international engagement.  

The program was conceived following a query to Ukrainian state agencies, spearheaded by Olexandra (Sasha) Kostenko, Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Applied Linguistics & English as a Second Language,  Co-Investigator, who identified civil servants from across Ukraine’s diverse regions and then carried out needs analysis and planned the curriculum. 

An urgent need for intensive language and government-specific training was identified within the various Ukrainian regional state administrations and agencies; garnering strong support and commitment, evidenced by enthusiastic letters from Ukrainian officials. In response, Georgia State’s Robin Cathey, IEP Associate Director and the project’s Principal Investigator, began developing a comprehensive program to support the goals of the Ukrainian civil servants. 

Georgia State University’s Intensive English Program (IEP), alongside multiple internal university partners including the Office of International Initiatives, the Department of Political Science, the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, and the Institute of International Business, meticulously crafted a month-long curriculum. This curriculum includes intensive language instruction tailored to the needs of civil servants, workshops with U.S. academic and government professionals, and leadership training. 

Kimberly Kleiber, an IEP instructor who facilitated a 15-week online preparatory course for the participants, said that working with the Ukrainian civil servants has been one of the most rewarding opportunities of her career. 

“Their dedication and professionalism, even amidst the hardships of the ongoing conflict, have been profoundly impactful,” Kleiber said. 

Participants are honing their oral communication, writing and professional English skills, with a focus on areas such as international cooperation, foreign economic activity, program management, critical thinking, decision-making and European integration. 

Artur Boyko, head of the department of foreign affairs and external economic activities of the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, emphasized the program’s benefits. 

“As a civil servant who works with international partners, I have to communicate in English constantly,” Boyko said. “All of the knowledge I have received here will help me improve the government system of Ukraine.” 

The program is not solely academic. It also includes cultural and social excursions. Participants have visited Atlanta’s major attractions, including the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and an Atlanta Braves baseball game. 

Olena Hemusova, deputy director of foreign affairs in Luhansk, expressed enthusiasm for her Georgia State experience. 

“I feel like a student of Georgia State University,” Hemusova said. “The program has been very exciting and beneficial for my professional and personal growth.” 

John Bunting, director of the Intensive English Program and Co-Investigator at Georgia State, emphasized the broader significance of this initiative.  

“We wanted to provide that bridge to talk about what is going on in Ukraine,” said Bunting. “We want to create stronger ties between Ukraine and the state of Georgia.” 

The Ukrainian delegation departed on June 11 and left with not only enhanced language skills but also a deeper understanding of strategic management, diplomacy and effective communication.

The program is a testament to Georgia State’s commitment to global engagement and the power of education in fostering international cooperation and development.