International Program Update: Andrea from Slovakia

Andrea, pictured on the far left, together with Janet Cooper, the Director of Engagement at the Dublin Arts Council, and Hana Khaled, Andrea’s host and US Together’s case manager.

This October and November, US Together has hosted two international professionals through a State Department funded program. Andrea Kutlíková has come to Ohio from Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Andrea works for a nonprofit, Mareena, that helps immigrants and minorities in Slovakia. She has also co-founded a community center that hosts events to promote open-mindedness between majority and minority populations. Andrea has chosen to participate in this program because she believes it is important to find ways to enrich yourself, especially when it enables you to help others. The program was also a great opportunity for her to work with nonprofit professionals in America and learn how nonprofits are run differently than in Europe.

                Andrea was very impressed by the scope of the program and feels she gained a lot of new perspectives and valuable skills. Specifically, she was enthralled by America’s “culture of giving” and the passion driving nonprofit work. She feels motivated by everyone’s dedication to serve underprivileged communities and has become inspired to bring this attitude back home. She believes the best part of the program is how many different points of view she was exposed to throughout various meetings and activities. She hopes that some of the connections she has made during her month in Ohio can evolve into future collaborations.

                The meeting that Andrea found most beneficial was with the Dublin Arts Council, which she found similar to her community center in Slovakia. In addition, she appreciated the chance to volunteer and learn how volunteering culture differs from Europe’s. She was impressed by US Together and their enthusiasm for expanding their work across borders and their determination to push refugee issues to the forefront of everyone’s mind. Andrea’s favorite part of America was the diversity; she loved immersing herself into a melting pot of so many cultures and people. She also liked how motivated Americans are and was impressed by their will to succeed. We are honored to have facilitated this opportunity to connect Andrea to local professionals in Ohio and help them collaborate towards mutual goals!