Ukrainian Studies Society - Victoria, BC

10/12/2026

🍁💙💛 Happy Thanksgiving from the Ukrainian Studies Society!

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we're especially grateful for the people who make our USS community so special. Our annual Fall Welcome Potluck Dinner on October 3 gave us plenty to be thankful for — good food, generous hearts, and the opportunity to welcome another academic year for our Ukrainian scholars at Pearson College UWC.

The gathering brought 45 guests together at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Hall in Victoria to welcome Yeva Buniak, beginning her first year at Pearson, and Ivan Tykhonoshiy, returning for his second year.

We were pleased to have Jayne Hammond, Director of Advancement and External Relations, and Rowen Warrilow, Manager of Annual Giving and Stewardship at Pearson College, join us. Both spoke appreciatively of the Society's longstanding support for Ukrainian students and the important role our local community plays in helping them feel at home.

Peter Shostak, a longtime USS member, reflected on the origins of the scholarship program. In 1993, Peter helped initiate an agreement with Pearson College that led to the arrival of our first Ukrainian scholar, Olena Yanchuk, in 1994. His recollections were a reminder of how an initiative begun more than three decades ago continues to create opportunities today.

The evening also featured testimonials from former USS scholars, including Vera Trojan, Diana Shyshkova, Anna Pavlovska, and Yaroslav Alieshchenko, who shared how their experiences at Pearson College influenced their personal growth and subsequent educational journeys.

The continued generosity of our donors and supporters makes the USS scholarship program possible, helping create educational opportunities for young Ukrainians at Pearson College.

Our sincere thanks to everyone who attended, contributed to the evening, and continues to support our students and scholarship program. We also extend our appreciation to Pearson College for its enduring partnership.

💙💛 Here's to another rewarding year for Yeva and Ivan!

📸 Photos courtesy of Pearson College UWC and USS members.

09/09/2026

💙💛 Meet Yeva – Our Newest USS Scholar!

A few weeks ago, we welcomed Yeva Buniak from Ukraine to Victoria as she began her first year at Pearson College UWC. Now we'd like to let Yeva tell you a little about herself in her own words:

"Hii!! My name is Yeva, I come from Ukraine 🇺🇦 Pearson has been my top choice even before the UWC application process. Despite not living near the ocean ever, I feel very connected to this place, the people, and my special interest happens to be seals! 🦭

It was a dream of mine to study marine science, learn more through experiential learning and live surrounded by amazing nature — and here I am now and couldn't be more glad to be at Pearson!"

We're delighted to have Yeva as part of the USS and Pearson College community and look forward to following her journey over the next two years.

And there will soon be an opportunity to see Yeva and her fellow Pearson students in the community! Pearson College students will be performing at Metchosin Day on September 13 from 2:30–3:15 p.m.

Welcome again, Yeva — we hope your first year is everything you dreamed it would be! 💙🇺🇦🦭

08/26/2026

💙💛 **Welcome to Victoria, Yeva!**

The Ukrainian Studies Society is delighted to welcome **Yeva Buniak**, our newest USS scholar, who arrived from Kyiv on Sunday evening to begin her first year at Pearson College UWC.

Yeva joins a proud tradition of young Ukrainians who have had the opportunity to study at Pearson College through the support of the Ukrainian Studies Society and our scholarship program.

We hope you’ll join us in giving Yeva a very warm welcome to Victoria and wishing her an exciting and rewarding first year at Pearson! 🎓🇺🇦

We look forward to sharing more about Yeva and her journey in the months ahead.

**Ласкаво просимо, Єво! Welcome, Yeva!** 💙💛

07/21/2026

💙💛 Summer is a Great Time to Catch Up on Our Students' Stories!

While our Pearson College students enjoy their summer break, we invite you to visit the Student Profiles section of the Ukrainian Studies Society website.

Learn more about the inspiring young Ukrainians who have received USS scholarships, their backgrounds, their experiences at Pearson College UWC, and the journeys that have brought them to Victoria.

Since 1994, 21 students have been awarded USS scholarships to attend Pearson College UWC, where they have built lifelong friendships, broadened their perspectives, and prepared to become future leaders in their communities and around the world.

🔗 Explore our Student Profiles:
https://ukrstudiessociety.ca/students/

As summer continues, we are already looking ahead. In just a few weeks, we will welcome our newest USS scholar to Victoria, while Ivan begins his second year at Pearson College.

The generosity of our members and supporters makes these opportunities possible, and we thank everyone who has helped make a difference in the lives of these remarkable young people.

💙🇺🇦

07/10/2026

💙💛 Changing Lives Through Education

For more than 30 years, the Ukrainian Studies Society has proudly supported young Ukrainians through the USS Pearson College Scholarship Program.

Since 1994, 21 students have been awarded USS scholarships to attend Pearson College UWC, where they have built lifelong friendships, broadened their perspectives, and prepared to become future leaders in their communities and around the world.

This spring, we celebrated the graduation of Yaroslav Alieshchenko, marking the completion of another inspiring chapter in our scholarship program. We were also delighted that his mother, grandmother, and brother were able to travel to Victoria to share this special milestone with him.

As summer continues, we are already looking ahead. In just a few weeks, we will welcome our newest USS scholar to Victoria, while Ivan (pictured) begins his second year at Pearson College.

One student at a time, one future at a time, the Ukrainian Studies Society continues its commitment to investing in education, international understanding, and hope.

💙🇺🇦

06/10/2026

💙💛 Safe travels, Yaroslav!

After two years at Pearson College, Yaroslav has now begun the next chapter of his journey. Following his graduation in May, he departed Victoria this week for a visit home to Ukraine before continuing with his future plans.

We were especially pleased that his mother, grandmother, and brother were able to travel to Victoria to share this important milestone with him.

Congratulations once again, Yaroslav. The Ukrainian Studies Society wishes you every success, happiness, and safety in the years ahead. Thank you for being part of our community—we look forward to hearing about your future accomplishments.

🎓 Watch the moment Yaroslav received his diploma:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypxaY6alHV0&t=4892s

05/27/2026

🎓 Congratulations to USS student Yaroslav Alieshchenko (YR 51 2024–26)! 💙💛

On May 21, 2026, family, friends, classmates, and supporters gathered at beautiful Pearson College UWC to celebrate Yaroslav’s graduation ceremony and accomplishments.

We are incredibly proud to see Yaroslav reach this milestone and wish him every success in the exciting journey ahead. Thank you for being part of the Ukrainian Studies Society community — your hard work, dedication, and spirit inspire us all.

Congratulations, Yaroslav, and congratulations to the entire Class of 2026! 🌟

05/15/2026

Members of the Ukrainian Studies Society gathered on May 3 for our 2026 Spring Farewell Potluck Dinner — an evening filled with great food, friendship, and community spirit.

During the event, guests also viewed the special video presentation that we shared in a post earlier this week.

We’re especially proud to celebrate our graduating student, Yaroslav Alieshchenko (YR 51 2024-26) whose convocation ceremonies will take place later this month. Congratulations and best wishes on this exciting milestone and all that lies ahead!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening so memorable 💙💛

05/13/2026

Students from Pearson College UWC recently shared personal perspectives on the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war as part of the Global Affairs speaker series.

The presentation brings together historical context, lived experiences, and reflections from students connected directly to Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.

For many, these are not distant geopolitical events, but deeply personal stories involving family, displacement, uncertainty, and resilience.

Participants included:
• Yaroslav (YR 51 - Ukraine)
• Ivan (YR 52 - Ukraine)
• Marina (Belarus)
• Andrey (Russia, participating remotely)

We invite our community to listen and learn from these student voices.

Watch the presentation here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHFW-4-flbI

01/16/2026

“Gain knowledge, my brothers! Think, read, and learn from others – do not abandon your own…”
— Taras H. Shevchenko 💙💛

Send a message to learn more