Blog Post
From Small-Town Bulgaria to Global Opportunity with ASSIST
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.…
Read MoreJoanna Martyni: A Pioneer for ASSIST in Poland
Joanna Martyni has been the local Program Coordinator for ASSIST Poland for fourteen years, making her one of the longest-serving country coordinators. Her journey with ASSIST began in an unexpected yet very personal way, sparked by her daughter Julia’s ambition to study abroad and ultimately, an ASSIST scholarship. In middle school, Julia’s determination led her…
Read MoreAlumni Spotlight: 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…
Read MoreNew Staff Spotlight: Denisa Maková
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…
Read MoreASSIST Orientation 2024 Held in Europe
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,…
Read MoreIntroducing the New ASSIST Scholars Website: A Fresh Look with Multilingual Features!
We are excited to unveil the brand-new ASSIST Scholars website – a complete new look and online experience, designed with you in mind! While our dedication to the community hasn’t changed, our website has had a major upgrade. It’s now more intuitive, more engaging and more accessible for all visitors. Whether you’re a student, a…
Read MoreNew Staff Spotlight: Bill Mena
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…
Read MoreRhodes Scholar and ASSIST Alum Gustė Gurčinaitė ‘17 Wants Communities to Have a Say in Local Climate Change Initiatives
When it comes to climate policy, it’s quite apparent that the power of critical decision-making lies primarily with those who hold a unique position of power in local, national, or global governance. For Gustė Gurčinaitė, a student from Lithuania who has been named one of two United Arab Emirates Rhodes Scholars for 2022, her academic…
Read MoreFormer UN Youth Delegate and ASSIST Alum Barbora Kvasničková is Dedicated to Youth Representation in Climate Policy
By Camille Wilson The data speaks for itself—it’s no secret that young people (people in their teenage years and early 20s) will continue to be a driving force behind environmental awareness and climate policy reform. ASSIST alum Barbora Kvasničková ‘17 is a former representative of Czechia (also known as the Czech Republic) to the United…
Read MoreASSIST Alum Ubah Ali ’16 Works Towards Justice for Women and Girls In Somaliland Through Education and Female Empowerment
By Camille Wilson “As women, you always have challenges to even have the option to go to school. They see you as a woman and a wife—you are expected to be a housewife. At the end of the day, I was a rebel.” Social activist and feminist from Somaliland, Ubah Ali, sat down with ASSIST…
Read MoreThe Kazickas Family: A legacy of philanthropic commitment to educating the next generation of leaders in Lithuania
John Kazickas (left) and his father, Dr. Juozas Kazickas (right). “My father lived the American dream,” board member of The Kazickas Family Foundation, John Kazickas, told ASSIST recently. “He worked very hard at establishing himself throughout his career and with such a great personality, he was admired by so many people. His success was always…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Timothy McIntire, Former ASSIST Board of Directors
Nov 30 2023 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: An Vo ‘07
Nov 30, 2023 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Kris Boucher, Former ASSIST Representative, current Orientation Volunteer
November 16, 2023 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Joan O’Brien, Former ASSIST Board Member, Former Associate Director of Admissions St. Andrew’s School
November 9, 2023 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Abdisamad Aadan ‘14
November 2, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Diane Proctor, Former ASSIST Board Member, Former English Teacher at Middlesex School
October 26, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: George Patterson ‘94, ASSIST Board of Directors
October 19, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Pia Bungarten ‘75
October 12, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: David (Kirk) Brown, Former ASSIST Representative, Christ School
October 5, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Basak Oztahtaci ‘12
September 28, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read MoreRemembering Kenneth Lindfors (1935-2022)
September 27, 2022 It is with great sadness that we write to you today to share that Kenneth Lindfors passed away on September 13, 2022 with his family by his side. When Ken left Suffield Academy in 1987 after an eleven-year tenure as headmaster, he began his second career as president of ASSIST (www.assistscholars.org), along…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Louisa Zendt, ASSIST Board of Directors, Appointed 2016
September 21, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: John Buxton, Former Head of School, The Culver Academies
September 14, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Alfons Gunnemann ‘73
September 7, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Kate Meenan-Waugh, Former Director of the Center for International Education at Washington International School
August 31, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Cécilie Rohwedder-Horvath ‘85
August 24, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Ingrid Savage, ASSIST Board of Directors & Parent of Alum ’89
August 17, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Yi-Ming Yang ‘86
August 10, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: George Semler, ASSIST Country Coordinator for Spain
August 3, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Mireia Giné ‘92
July 27, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read MoreTwo ASSIST Scholars Take Action Against the Global Climate Crisis.
July 22, 2022 By Camille Wilson Earth’s rapidly changing climate and weather patterns remain at the center of a long list of concerning global affairs. As the world’s leaders scramble to find solutions amid intense heat waves, droughts, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels, the youngest generations are taking on much of the action that…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Axel Arheden ‘08
July 20, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Rita and Attila: The ASSIST Marriage (Class of ‘93)
July 13, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Brian Morgan, Former Heads of Schools, ASSIST Orientation staff volunteer (2012-2018)
July 13, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Dr. Margot Kaessmann ‘75
July 6, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Andrew Wooden, Board of Directors
June 29, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Doron Shapir ‘12
June 22, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Petra Stanković ’16
June 15, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Judit Hegedus ’92
June 8, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Catherine Tinsley, Board of Directors
June 1, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Tom Doar, Former Head of School
May 25, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Tobias Ragge ’93
May 18, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read More50 Stories for 50 Years: Tura Cottingham, Host Family ’06
May 11, 2022 To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s…
Read MoreStories from Poland during the War in Ukraine
April 5, 2022 Alongside the war in Ukraine, we’ve had the opportunity to see a brighter side of humanity – people of different backgrounds coming together to help those in need. ASSIST has had a presence in Poland since 2011, and many of our ASSIST community members are on the front lines of the humanitarian…
Read MoreEducating Eastern Europe’s Future Leaders
April 5, 2022 On behalf of Marty Milne, President of ASSIST and the ASSIST Board of Directors As the world watches Ukrainians’ fierce defense of their freedom and East Europeans’ selfless help with the humanitarian crisis on their borders, it reminds us of ASSIST’s important legacy of contributing to international solidarity, civic engagement and campaign…
Read MoreWelcome to our Blog
April 1, 2022 Welcome to the ASSIST blog! Here we will showcase the comprehensive ASSIST experience and connect our community – Scholars, Alumni, Country Coordinators, Member School colleagues, Host Families, Parents, Donors, and Friends – all of whom play an important role in the worldwide ASSIST family. We will spotlight issues that are important to all…
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