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Journalist, London School of Economics (Master's degree), BSU (Bachelor's degree)

My name is Alexandra Boguslawskaja, a Belarusian journalist and political observer based in Germany. My experience spans across both Belarusian and international media, and I'm currently affiliated with Deutsche Welle. I hold a degree in International Law from the Faculty of International Relations of the Belarusian State University, where I graduated in 2017. In 2023, I was awarded a Chevening Scholarship and subsequently obtained a master's degree in Media and Communications from the London School of Economics and Political Science. With firsthand experience in career transitioning, especially when your initial degree does not align with your professional field, I understand how to present such a career shift in the most effective way. I can assist you with applications to media-related programmes and offer advice on maximising your educational experience.

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Writer, University of Brighton (PhD), University of Westminster (Master's degree), MSLU (Bachelor's degree)

Hi, I’m Hanna, I live in London. I've been writing poetry since I was thirteen. Back in Belarus, I published a book, translated my poems into English and performed at slams and festivals. I graduated from Minsk State Linguistic University and for many years I had dreamed of an MA in creative writing abroad. Thanks to the Chevening Scholarship, my dream came true. During the master's year, I learnt to create fiction and non-fiction texts and even wrote a play. Now I’m doing a PhD at the University of Brighton and telling the world about us through literature. For almost three years in Britain, I learned to recognise my achievements and not be afraid to talk about them in various types of applications. Happy to share my experience and knowledge!

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Investment Analyst, Harvard University (Bachelor's degree), BSU Lyceum

Hello! I completed my bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics and Economics at Harvard University in 2024. I'm a son, brother, admirer of Belarusian culture and an investment analyst at Bridgewater Associates. I also have experience in bioinformatics research, international relations, and speechwriting. I was born in khrushchyovka in Minsk and finished my schooling at Gymnasium №4 in Minsk. I did not get into the BSU Lyceum, I did not get into UWC (an international school that offers scholarships to study abroad), and I did not win many academic competitions. During my time at Harvard, I attended classes at the Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Business School. Currently, I live in New York and am happy to assist Belarusians interested in undergraduate or graduate programmes in the Ivy League or international education in general.

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Head of a Gaming Studio, Harvard University (MBA)

Hello everyone, I'm Anton, the founder of Sleepagotchi, a studio that creates a mobile app that gamifies sleep. Before starting Sleepagotchi, I worked in strategic consulting at Oliver Wyman and later as a product manager at Gismart and Duolingo. I earned my MBA from Harvard University, which provided valuable experience in the tech sector. This experience, along with the network and credibility I gained, helped me secure investments for my project. Each year, only 2-3 Belarusians are admitted to top US business schools. But we can have more! I'm more than happy to provide advice to Belarusians interested in applying to MBA programmes.

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International Lawyer, University of Oxford (Master's degree), BSU (Bachelor's degree)

Hello mentee! My name is Liza and I am a Belarussian, currently living in the UK. I spent my childhood in Zaslavl and attended a school there. Although it was a great time, I always dreamed of studying abroad. During my time at BSU, I met Belarusians, who studied at Oxford. This inspired me to turn my dream into a goal! My first attempt at admission was not successful, but with the help of Belarusians who had already navigated the process, I tried again. Ultimately, I was accepted to Oxford as a Chevening/Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholar. In that year, I also managed to receive the SI Scholarship (Sweden), George Washington University Scholarship (US), MIDS Scholarship (Switzerland). My international education and experience in a multicultural environment have significantly influenced my career. Now, I work as Principal Counsellor at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. If you also aspire to receive an international education, I would be delighted to help you achieve your goal.

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Machine learning expert, University of Cambridge (PhD, Master's), Skoltech (Master's), BSU Lyceum

Hello everyone! I'm Sasha, currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Cambridge, where I focus on machine learning. Before this, I completed two technical master's degrees at Cambridge and Skoltech. I have industry experience in engineering roles related to machine learning research and have interned at Microsoft Research Cambridge. When applying for international master's and PhD programmes, I've applied to numerous universities across Europe and the UK. As a result, I have extensive knowledge about admission strategies for technical programmes, as well as applying for grants and scholarships to cover tuition costs. I'm happy to share my experiences and provide support in choosing and applying to similar programmes.

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IT developer, Vilnius Technical University VilniusTech (bachelor's degree)

Hello everyone, I’m Masha, a developer at Danske Bank, and at the same time finishing my studies at Vilnius Technical University. My studies are fully covered by the scholarship, which has opened many doors for me. During my studies, I completed several internships in fintech, and now I am actively involved in a student mobility project that helps students and companies find each other for joint initiatives. Working in international companies and participating in internships gave me the opportunity to try myself in various areas of IT and understand what I really like. I have recently walked this path and am ready to help you at every stage.

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Musician, Royal College of Music in London (Master's Degree), Guildhall School of Music and Drama (Bachelor's Degree)

Hello, I'm Eva. My violin and I have been inseparable since I was five. I began my journey at a local music school, and by fourth grade, I joined the Republican Gymnasium-College at the Belarusian State Academy of Music. After studying there until I was 18, I was accepted into three London conservatories. I chose the Guildhall School of Music and Drama for my bachelor's degree because they offered me the largest scholarship. Studying in the UK has provided me with numerous opportunities, including lessons from renowned musicians, scholarships to international music festivals, and collaborations with talented peers. Recently, I received a full scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music, where I'll learn from one of the most highly regarded teachers in the country. I've faced numerous challenges and competitions, many of which I didn't win, but I value these experiences because they allow me to guide other musicians and help them avoid the pitfalls I encountered. Despite its challenges, the music industry in the UK is broad and diverse, offering a place for every artist. I'm here to help you find your place!

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Genetic engineer, University of Cambridge (PhD), University of Edinburgh (Bachelor's degree), BSU (Bachelor's degree)

Hello everyone! I've always been intrigued by how life works, which led to my interest in biology and chemistry and, ultimately, my current profession. I excelled in biology academic contests during school years and later studied at the Faculty of Biology at the Belarusian State University. A Darwin Trust scholarship allowed me to attend the University of Edinburgh, where I obtained a bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology. The Trust continued to support me at Cambridge, where I focused on stem cells and genetics for my PhD. I'm now a research fellow at Uppsala University, studying the cellular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease. While life occasionally gives us opportunities, people are often the ones who open these windows of possibility. These individuals include parents, teachers, senior colleagues, casual acquaintances at conferences, and classmates. The connections between people form the fabric of success and development. I have been fortunate with the people I've met, and in return, I want to help my young colleagues find people and opportunities. I also strive to be a helpful person myself!

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Director of ML Application Development, University of Oxford (MSc, BSc)

Hello, I'm Anton. I currently develop new models and conduct applied research in machine learning at American Express. Before this, I worked at Capital One. While studying at the University of Oxford, I completed summer internships to help cover expenses and gain valuable work experience. I'm here to help with preparing for university interviews in technical fields, gaining practical experience during your studies, and getting ready for job interviews.

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Economist, Harvard University (PhD), Bocconi University (Master's degree), LUISS University (Bachelor's degree)

Hello! I'm Danila, originally from Minsk, and I've always dreamed of exploring the world and studying abroad. I focused on language skills and mathematics, and I got hooked! I completed my bachelor's degree at LUISS University in Rome, earned my master's degree at Bocconi University in Milan, and am now finishing a PhD in Economics at Harvard University near Boston. All my education was funded through scholarships and financial aid—it's more than possible. The path was certainly challenging, from mastering the language and passing tests to dealing with bureaucracy, rejections, and unsuccessful attempts. But with effort in the right direction, much can be achieved. I'd be happy to help you with this journey.

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Computer Science, Free University of Berlin (Bachelor's Degree)

Hello everyone! My name is Dasha, and I'm pursuing a bachelor's degree in Computer Science at the Free University of Berlin. I graduated from a gymnasium in Minsk and moved to Berlin to study at a Studienkolleg, a mandatory preparatory year at a German state university for applicants who have completed 11 years of schooling in Belarus. Studying in Germany was never my ultimate dream; rather, I chose Germany for its free and excellent education (according to THE, eight German universities are in the top 100 of the world ranking). This is why my adaptation process was quite challenging. I experienced firsthand what it means to completely lose faith in yourself. If it weren't for the people around me who had gone through similar experiences and understood how tough it can be, I wouldn't have made it. Thanks to them, I didn't give up, completed Studienkolleg, found my social circle, got admitted to FU Berlin, and now work as a Junior Java Developer. Studying abroad is a unique and exciting but challenging period. That's why I want to support Belarusians on their educational journey in Germany.

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International Lawyer, University of Oxford (Master's degree), BSU (Bachelor's degree), BSU Lyceum

Hi! I'm Andrei from Minsk, currently residing and working in Paris. I specialise in resolving international disputes and advising on public international law. My work involves representing states in international courts, conducting cross-examinations of witnesses, and more. This dynamic field demands a high level of knowledge, which I acquired through studying abroad. I completed my Master's degree at the University of Oxford as a Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholar. Notably, I was also offered a second full scholarship to study at Oxford (OSI/FCO Chevening), along with Muskie, Huygens, Swiss Government, and Hans Wilsdorf scholarships for studies in the USA, Netherlands, and Switzerland, respectively. My effective application strategy seems to have paid off. If you're interested in studying at top universities, I'd be delighted to offer my assistance!

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Economist, athlete, Rutgers Business School (Master's degree), Harvard University (Bachelor's degree)

Hello everyone! My name is Yaroslav, and I am а master's student at Rutgers Business School, specialising in Financial Analysis. I graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Economics. Additionally, I am an active college athlete in the NCAA Division 1 wrestling and also compete for the Belarus national team. I studied at the Olympic Reserve School (RUGOR) in Minsk before attending a private school in the United States. I am happy to share my experiences and can provide insights on applying to schools in the USA at nearly all levels: high school, undergraduate, and graduate programmes.

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Software Engineer, Georgia State University (PhD), BSU (Bachelor's degree)

Hello everyone! My name is Slava, I am a developer at Meta based in New York. I received my PhD in bioinformatics from Georgia State University. Before that, I graduated from BSU in Belarus and worked at EPAM. At some point I realized that I want something different. Then, I met my future supervisor, and we started working on a project that became my thesis and first scientific publication. Before that, I didn't even know that it was possible to get an education in the USA and receive a scholarship at the same time. As a graduate student, I developed algorithms for analyzing sequenced data of viruses and cancer, reconstructing their evolutionary history. Later, I did an internship at Facebook and realized that I like this job. I am currently working on distributed systems that support sending messages to billions of users. I can help with advice on how to find and apply for graduate school in the US and share my experience.

Apply

Who: Belarusian students, undergraduates or graduate students who are passionate about Belarusian culture and history

Where: London, UK

When: June 15 - 29, August 14 - 28, 2024

Financing: full cost coverage

Application deadline: June 10, 2024

The Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library in London and Bright Belarus offers two internships for Belarusian students in 2024. Interns will assist with project support, social media management, event organization, partner engagement, and daily operations of the library and museum. Benefits include unique cultural and professional experiences, contributions to cultural preservation, and networking opportunities with Belarusian diaspora in London. To apply for an internship, fill out the form via the link.

Apply

Who: Belarusian students studying biology and related fields

Where: online

When: July 15 - 19, 2024

Funding: participation is free

Application deadline: June 30, 2024

Bright Belarus introduces BioTech Connect, the first summer intensive for aspiring Belarusian biologists. This program features a series of educational online talks and networking sessions focused on biotechnologies and startups. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from outstanding speakers who will share their own research and startup experiences. Additionally, the networking sessions provide a platform for students to connect with international scientific and startup communities in an informal setting, fostering collaboration and innovation. To participate in the intensive, fill out the form via the link.