BECAME FACULTY AMBASSADOR

Hi, my name is Artem Ovcharenko, and I’m 22 years old. I was born in Odesa, Ukraine, and in 2020 I moved to Łódź to study and build my future. I completed my bachelor’s degree in International Marketing and will be finishing my master’s in International and Political Studies in 2025. Throughout my academic journey, I’ve had the privilege of gaining valuable experience beyond the classroom. I worked at the City Hall of Łódź and also had the incredible opportunity to participate in an Erasmus exchange program in Lyon, France. I can confidently say that my university played a crucial role in opening these doors for me. What I appreciated most about my studies was the practical approach to learning. Many classes focused not just on theory but on real-world applications, with professors making every effort to ensure we truly understood the subject matter. I am deeply grateful to my faculty for equipping me with essential knowledge that I continue to use every day.

Привіт! Мене звати Артем Овчаренко, мені 22 роки. Я народився в Одесі, Україна, а у 2020 році переїхав до Лодзі, щоб навчатися та будувати своє майбутнє. Я закінчив бакалаврат за спеціальністю «Міжнародний маркетинг» і у 2025 році завершу магістратуру за напрямом «Міжнародна та політична наука».   Під час навчання я мав можливість здобути цінний досвід поза межами аудиторій. Я працював у мерії міста Лодзь, а також взяв участь у програмі обміну Erasmus у Ліоні, Франція. Можу з упевненістю сказати, що саме університет відкрив для мене ці можливості.   Особливо мені подобався практичний підхід до навчання. Багато занять були спрямовані не лише на теорію, а й на реальне застосування знань, а викладачі робили все можливе, щоб ми глибоко розуміли предмет. Я безмежно вдячний факультету, на якому навчався, за важливі знання, які використовую й до сьогодні!

I was born in Quba, Azerbaijan. I hold a Master’s degree in International Marketing from the Faculty of International and Political Studies at Lodz University, Poland (2021–2023). Additionally, through the Erasmus+ exchange program (2022–2023), I earned a Master’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration from Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany, further enriching my academic and international experience.
Currently, I work as the Chief Advisor of the Division of Economic Analysis at the Center for the Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Studying at the Faculty of International and Political Studies (WSMiP) at Lodz University was an amazing experience. The diverse student community, engaging academic environment, and supportive professors made my time there truly enriching. I had the chance to meet people from all over the world, exchange cultures, and participate in various academic and extracurricular activities. Thanks to the opportunities provided by WSMiP, I was able to study in Germany through the Erasmus+ program, which further broadened my perspectives. If you are considering studying at WSMiP, you can look forward to an inspiring and life-changing journey!

Mən Azərbaycanda, Quba şəhərində anadan olmuşam. Lodz Universitetinin Beynəlxalq və Siyasi Araşdırmalar Fakültəsində Beynəlxalq Marketinq üzrə magistr dərəcəsi almışam (2021–2023). Bundan əlavə, Erasmus+ mübadilə proqramı (2022–2023) çərçivəsində Almaniyanın Kemnits Texnologiya Universitetində Siyasi Elmlər və Dövlət İdarəçiliyi üzrə magistr dərəcəsi əldə etmişəm.
Hazırda Azərbaycan Respublikasının İqtisadi İslahatların Təhlili və Kommunikasiya Mərkəzində (CAERC) İqtisadi Təhlil Şöbəsinin Baş Məsləhətçisi kimi çalışıram.
Lodz Universitetinin Beynəlxalq və Siyasi Araşdırmalar Fakültəsində (WSMiP) təhsil almaq inanılmaz bir təcrübə idi. Müxtəlif millətlərdən olan tələbələrin bir araya gəldiyi dinamik mühit, maraqlı akademik müzakirələr və hər zaman dəstək olmağa çalışan professorlar bu dövrü mənim üçün çox dəyərli etdi. Dünyanın dörd bir yanından insanlarla tanış olmaq, mədəniyyət mübadiləsi aparmaq və həm akademik, həm də sosial fəaliyyətlərdə iştirak etmək fürsətim oldu. WSMiP-nin təqdim etdiyi imkanlar sayəsində Erasmus+ proqramı ilə Almaniyada təhsil almaq şansı qazandım və bu təcrübə dünyagörüşümü daha da genişləndirdi. Əgər siz də WSMiP-də təhsil almağı düşünürsünüzsə, bu sizin üçün ilhamverici və həyatınızı dəyişdirəcək bir səyahət olacaq!
 

Hello! My name is Dastan Kokonbaev, and I am from Talas, Kyrgyzstan. In 2022, I graduated from the University of Lodz with a Master’s degree in International and Political Studies. Currently, I am working in my home country, implementing important projects aimed at bringing about positive changes at the social and national levels. One of the most valuable experiences of my studies was the opportunity to connect with students from all over the world, build strong friendships, and understand different perspectives. Professors at the University of Lodz had a significant impact on my academic and professional growth. The university community helped me gain a deeper understanding of international relations and supported the development of my skills in adaptation, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. The knowledge I gained has helped me overcome various challenges in my professional career. The mentorship of my professors inspired me to start my career in international companies and laid the foundation for continuing along this path.
My advice to future WSMiP students is: "Take every opportunity to learn, grow, and make meaningful connections. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and no matter which path you choose, there is always something new to discover."

Салам! Менин атым Дастан Коконбаев, мен Кыргызстандын Талас шаарынан болом. 2022-жылы Лодзь университетин Эл аралык жана саясий изилдөөлөр боюнча магистр даражасына ээ болдум. Учурда өз өлкөмдө иштеп, коомчулукта жана улуттук деңгээлде оң өзгөрүүлөрдү алып келүүгө багытталган маанилүү долбоорлорду ишке ашыруудамын. Окуудагы эң баалуу тажрыйбамдын бири дүйнө жүзүндөгү студенттер менен байланышуу жана бекем достук мамилелерди куруу, ошондой эле ар кандай көз караштарды түшүнүү мүмкүнчүлүгү болду. Лодзь университетинин профессорлору менин академиялык жана профессионалдык өсүүмө чоң таасирин тийгизди. Университеттин жамааты мага эл аралык мамилелерди тереңирээк түшүнүүгө жардам берип, адаптация, критикалык ой жүгүртүү жана өмүр бою билим алуу көндүмдөрүмдү өнүктүрүүгө колдоо көрсөтүштү. Алган билимим профессионалдык карьерамдагы ар кандай кыйынчылыктарды жеңүүгө жардам берди. Профессорлорумдун насаатчылыгы менин карьерамды эл аралык компанияларда баштоого шыктандырып, бул жолду улантуума негиз салды.
 Келечектеги WSMiP студенттерине кеңешим: "Өнүгүү жана маңыздуу байланыштарды түзүү үчүн бардык мүмкүнчүлүктөрдү колдонуңуз. Ар бир чакырык - бул өсүү үчүн мүмкүнчүлүк жана кайсы жолду тандабаңыз, сизде ар дайым жаңы нерсени ачууга мүмкүнчүлүк бар."
 

Hello, my name is Silvio Balmaceda, and I am originally from Nicaragua, known for its lakes and volcanoes. After a rigorous application process in 2015, I received notification that I had won the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, which allowed me to pursue a complete master's degree in International Marketing at the University of Lodz, Poland. With a background in Law, my studies at the University of Lodz opened doors for me to work with various multinational companies and advance in my professional career.
Despite being a foreigner, I have managed to build my life in the city of Lodz, where I have been living for 10 years. Thanks to my studies, I have free access to the labor market in Poland, a country I consider to be the land of opportunities. Currently, I work at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, as a Sourcing Manager for Professional Services, where I coordinate projects and negotiate terms and conditions with various suppliers on a global scale.

Hola, mi nombre es Silvio Balmaceda y soy originario de Nicaragua, conocida por sus lagos y volcanes. Después de un arduo proceso de aplicación en 2015, recibí la notificación de que había ganado la Beca Erasmus Mundus, lo que me permitió realizar una maestría completa en Marketing Internacional en la Universidad de Lodz, Polonia. Con una formación en Derecho, los estudios en la Universidad de Lodz me abrieron las puertas para trabajar con diversas empresas multinacionales y avanzar en mi carrera profesional.
A pesar de ser extranjero, he logrado construir mi vida en la ciudad de Lodz, donde he estado viviendo durante 10 años. Gracias a mis estudios, tengo libre acceso al mercado laboral en Polonia, un país que considero la tierra de las oportunidades. Actualmente, trabajo en Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Alemania, como Sourcing Manager de Servicios Profesionales, donde coordino proyectos y negocio los términos y condiciones con diferentes proveedores a nivel global.

Become an Ambassador of the University of Łódź – Internationalization through Collaboration with International Alumni
Fostering Connections with Global Alumni
 

In 2024, the Faculty of International and Political Studies at the University of Łódź launched the project "Become an Ambassador of the University of Łódź – Internationalization through Collaboration with International Alumni" as part of the Welcome to Poland program, funded by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange. The project's goal is to maintain connections with international alumni, monitor their career paths, and promote their success stories.

The University of Łódź is expanding its activities through a pilot project promoting internationalization at the faculty level. Focused on the Faculty of International and Political Studies, the project aims to promote the International and Political Studies (BA and MA) and International Marketing (BA) programs. A key element of the campaign is the "personal stories" and achievements of alumni, which will serve as inspiration for future students, particularly from Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.

Main activities within the project:

• Developing a system for tracking international alumni career paths and building relationships with them.
• Creating promotional materials showcasing alumni achievements.
• Conducting a promotional campaign using social media, the faculty's website, and an English-language informational brochure.
• Participating in international education fairs in Azerbaijan and Turkey.
• Organizing a closing conference for the project, involving UŁ staff, students, and invited international alumni.

International alumni will not only be the focus of the campaign but will also be actively involved in its implementation as ambassadors of the University of Łódź. The project outcomes will contribute to the development of a long-term program integrating international alumni into the university’s promotional activities.

Project coordination: Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Łódź
ul. Składowa 43
90-127 Łódź

E-mail: projekt.nawa@wsmip.uni.lodz.pl
FB: wsmipunilodz

The project is funded by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange under the Welcome to Poland program.
Personal data information clause