The Executive Committee wants to thank, with GREAT FANFARE, all those members of both GC and our community for their unprecedented response to our call for support during the Centre Foundation’s May 8-9 “Centre Gives” campaign.

Your generosity created an 80.22% increase in the average per-capita donation over 2023 ($66.45 versus $36.88) which drove an unprecedented 65.20% rise in total direct contributions ($1,462.00 versus $885.00). Once the Centre Foundation’s greatly appreciated allocation of the Hamer Foundation’s “Stretch Funds” is added in, Global Connections received a record-breaking total gift of $1,858.98!

Yeah, we know the numbers themselves are not jaw-dropping, but you must remember that our relatively small operating budget oscillates between $5,500 and $7,500 per year and that Global Connections is an all-volunteer undertaking. So, this gift accounts for between 25% and 33% of our budget.

This will make a HUGE difference in our scope of operations, especially in our ability to fund scholarships for immigrants and refugees through our newly created English Language Literacy Program. It also means that our reach toward and presence in our service area are both expanding. We must be doing something right, huh?

So, please, keep talking us up with your friends, family, and colleagues. And, above all else, find the nearest mirror and give yourself a huge “THANK YOU” from all of us!!!

Join us for Centre Foundation’s 36-hour online giving event! Centre Gives begins on May 8 at 8 AM and runs through May 9 at 8 PM. This is your chance to make a real impact.

Why Support Us? Global Connections is dedicated to fostering community and understanding through a variety of programs. Your donations will help us:

• Support Our Programs: Our outreach activities include cultural luncheons, free classes to learn English as a Second Language (ESL), book clubs, discussion groups, poetry readings, and informal cultural, educational, and exchange activities and interactions.
• Support Our Community: Assisting local people in need through educational and exchange activities.
• Keep Costs Low: Ensuring that 100% of your donation goes directly to our programs, not administrative costs.
Make a Difference Today!
Please consider donating to Global Connections during Centre Gives. Every contribution helps us continue our mission of building meaningful relationships through service, education, and partnership.

Donate Here!

We greatly appreciate your generosity and support. Help us spread the word about our work by sharing this message with your friends and family!

Yaryna Andrushko, a visiting scholar and researcher from Ukraine, embarked on a transformative journey that led her to the shores of the United States, where she has been making a significant impact in the field of psychology. In a recent interview, she shared her experiences, aspirations, and passions, giving us a glimpse into her life.

When asked about what brought her to the USA, her response carried a weight of profound significance. She explained that the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, was one of the primary catalysts for her decision to seek refuge and for a fresh start in America. Her courageous spirit and unwavering determination propelled her to seek security and the opportunity to restart in a new land.

When reflecting upon her initial impressions of living in the USA, her eyes lit up with admiration and gratitude. She expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the support provided to individuals with disabilities, particularly in terms of mobility. Yaryna found  empowering the abundance of resources available to assist those with disabilities to access facilities, stores, and urban centers. Such inclusive measures reinforced her belief in the importance of equal opportunities for all, regardless of physical limitations.

However, amidst her newfound appreciation for her adopted home, Yaryna confessed that she occasionally felt the pangs of homesickness. She longed for the warm embrace of her friends and family back in Ukraine, as well as the familiar tastes and aromas of her homeland’s cuisine. Yet, her dedication to her work and the pursuit of knowledge serve as a constant source of inspiration and resilience during moments of nostalgia.

Yaryna’s academic pursuits center around the field of psychology, a discipline in which she has excelled both professionally and academically. With a career as an associate professor in the Ukraine University and with a vast scientific publication collection, she brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for understanding the intricacies of the human mind and behavior. In addition, she operates a private therapist office, where she has made a lasting impact on countless individuals seeking healing and personal growth. Likewise, she has supported women who have experienced different types of violence. Her research focus at Penn State revolves around trauma, aiming to enhance her assistance to individuals who have been traumatized by the war in Ukraine, thereby helping the Ukrainian community affected by the war, not only those living in the USA but also in different parts of the world.

In sharing more about herself, Yaryna revealed her vibrant and sociable nature. She finds peace in connections with nature and through her passionate hiking activity that allows her to fully immerse herself in the beauty of the world. Alongside her love for nature, she is also a lover of dancing, music, and connecting with people. Her commitment to personal well-being and mindfulness practices further enhance her capacity to empower others in their journeys of self-discovery and inner healing.

Furthermore, Yaryna’s expertise extends to the field of art therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). By combining the creative process of art with the principles of therapy, she facilitates a transformative experience for individuals seeking emotional and psychological well-being. Yaryna’s multidimensional approach to healing emphasizes the importance of holistic care and the integration of various therapeutic modalities.

Yaryna’s journey with Global Connections began shortly after her arrival in the USA. Seeking to improve her English skills, she reached out to her colleagues for guidance on finding language lessons. Through a colleague, she discovered a program that connected her with Bob Persiko, who became her mentor. Bob not only assisted her with formulating articles in English, but he also provided invaluable support with grammar, a subject she found challenging.

Being a member of Global Connections has had a significant impact on Yaryna’s life. She appreciates the opportunity to participate in various events and engage with a diverse community. Among her cherished moments with Global Connections, the recent hiking encounter at Stone Valley and Shaver’s Creek stands out as a favorite. When asked what advice she would give to someone interested in getting involved with Global Connections, Yaryna’s response was simple: Just do it! She emphasizes the importance of participating in activities and connecting with others, recognizing the value of socializing and expanding one’s horizons.

In contemplating the meaning of life, Yaryna offers a heartfelt perspective. For her, life is about living in a way that is worthwhile and filled with love. She believes in the power of giving and sharing with others, not just in personal endeavors but also within the community and society at large. She embraces the concept of the boomerang effect, trusting that when you give something good, it will eventually come back to you in a positive way, even if not immediately apparent.

Yaryna Andrushko’s inspiring journey exemplifies the transformative power of seeking new experiences, embracing connections, and making meaningful contributions to the world. Her dedication to psychology, love for nature, and commitment to personal growth continue to shine brightly, illuminating the lives of those around her. As we shine a spotlight on Yaryna Andrushko, her story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of embracing new beginnings. 

Resilience stands out among the many words we could use to describe this amazing person. Her name is Cristina Marquez, also known as Cristy. She is a kind-hearted woman from Mexico. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s degree in innovation for business development. Interestingly, today she is among us spreading self-awareness and love through her yoga practice.

Cristy is from Ciudad Juarez, a desert city at the border with the US that is industrially developed. About three years ago, she moved to State College. She made the decision to go along with her husband, who began his Ph.D. studies at Penn State University, in order to take the opportunity to learn new things and learn more about other cultures.

In the past, Cristy had the opportunity to visit the United States, but her experience living in Pennsylvania has been quite different. One interesting feature of this new life has been the immersion in the English language, which helped her to develop her communication skills. Another one is the calm university town with an international environment, surrounded by nature with a different climate and landscapes than what she was used to.

We asked her if she has ever felt sad or lonely living in the US, and she said, “The homesick feeling just came last year (December 2022) because I could not see my family for Christmas.” However, she added that the community brings support to her. English classes, a discussion group, and other activities have helped her to reduce these feelings. “That’s why I’m really grateful for the friendships these activities give me.” She adds, “the beauty is to be surrounded by these amazing friends from all over the world. We share a sense of family because we are in the same situation being abroad and far from our loved ones.”

We also asked her if she had experienced any cultural shock because of the differences between America and her home country. She explained that because she came from the border with the USA, she had already a good sense of how things work here. Perhaps the “shock” was more about how the university town operates in contrast to her city, which is very dynamic.

When we enquired about her journey in yoga, she mentioned that while living in Mexico, she was a Business Program Advisor and a teacher of the Department for Freshmen Students at TEC of Monterrey University. She had already tried yoga classes, but back then she did not have enough time to dive deeply into it because of the day-to-day rush. When she moved to State College, things changed. While the pandemic was still going on, she attended yoga classes at Penn State via Zoom. She then began exploring other yoga events happening in the neighborhood, and that is how she found out later about YogaLab studio. Then, a chance came up and she received a scholarship from them to become a Certified Yoga Instructor.

What does yoga mean to Cristy? “Oh, I think it is my happy place because it’s something that I really enjoy. It allows me to be creative and it keeps me honest with myself, motivated, and enthusiastic”. She also added, “teaching gets me out of my comfort zone, which is good to continue learning from people and their practice”. Moreover, Cristy wants to keep studying new methods, techniques, and understandings in the yoga field to apply in her classes. “I would like to bring more knowledge into my teaching, to connect and offer more options to my students. Meditation is also a path that I would like to delve into in the near future. Regarding this topic, I recently finished a Mindfulness Stress Reduction program at PSU that will be very useful for this purpose.”

She not only brings her sensibility through yoga, but she also beautifully connects with her soul through dancing and music. “I love to find joyful music moments during my day, like activities that invite me to move freely, maybe adding some dance steps to keep the experience positive and charming. Even the supermarket can be one place where I can get these micro-moments of bliss.”

Her involvement with Global Connections started two and a half years ago. Her husband, who arrived first to the area as a Ph.D. international student, learned about the organization at a University fair and sent her the information. She contacted GC while still in Mexico, and when she arrived at State College, she began her journey as a participant in its different activities, and as a member.

We asked her how GC has supported her during this journey, and she said, “It brings me a sense of community, for example being part of the discussion group Making Sense of the American Experience, has allowed me to share ideas and culture in an open, safe and friendly space. That’s why I believe its name truly encompasses what it seeks”.

Finally, we asked Cristy what is the best part of being a GC member, and she told us that she loves the great wisdom from people and the sense of belonging. “Here I feel embraced and encouraged, for example, when I have asked Bob (GC President) for advice, he promptly is willing to assist me!” For some, this may seem simple but it is not common to receive this kind of support and help anywhere. As a final thought, she left us with the following Mother Theresa quote: “Love cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service […]”