From Small-Town Bulgaria to Global Opportunity with ASSIST

Iliyan Hristov

For Iliyan “Ilko” Hristov, growing up in Gabrovo, Bulgaria, the world beyond his small town felt distant—almost unreachable. For students like him, who weren’t born in capital cities, opportunity often seemed like something that happened to other people—something glimpsed on TV, an elusive version of the American Dream. But then came ASSIST, and everything changed.…

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Alumni Spotlight: Kristýna Říhová 

ASSIST alumni from 2024, Kristýna Říhová 

ASSIST Scholars Class of ‘24 at Linden Hall School Czech STEM Leader and Rise Global Winner Kristýna Říhová has always been determined to make a difference, driven by her passion for marine biology and environmental protection. Coming from the Czech Republic, where there are no oceans, she didn’t let that limit her dream of saving…

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New Staff Spotlight: Denisa Maková

New ASSIST Country coordinator for Czech Republic, Denisa

New, In-Country Program Coordinator for ASSIST Scholars and HMC Projects in the Czech Republic ASSIST Scholars and HMC Projects are thrilled to welcome Denisa Maková as our new shared Program Coordinator for the Czech Republic! Denisa comes to us through our Czech partner organization, The Bakala Foundation, which was established in 2007 to support young…

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ASSIST Orientation 2024 Held in Europe

Leysin American School in the Alps of Swizterland

ASSIST Class of 2025 Orientation: A Historic Event in Switzerland This year, ASSIST made history! For the first time ever, the ASSIST Scholars Orientation was held in Europe, bringing together over 170 new scholars, along with alumni and volunteers, to kick off the Class of 2025’s journey at the beautiful Leysin American School near Geneva,…

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New Staff Spotlight: Bill Mena

New ASSIST Staff Member, Bill Mena, Director of School Relations

An Experienced Leader in International Education Joining ASSIST in July 2024 as Director of School Relations, Bill Mena brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his decades-long career in education and nonprofit leadership. Having worked in leadership roles across admissions, financial aid, non-tuition revenue, and international student recruitment at boarding schools, Bill’s extensive experience…

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