Jayden Kyryluk [BA/22] is a third-year law student working as a Research Assistant for the Desautels Business Law Accelerator at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law. He is currently spending this term on an exchange program, studying international law at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. On the same day that his classmates in Winnipeg were meeting with Supreme Court of Canada Judge Sheilah Martin, Kyryluk was shaking hands with Judge Kimberly Prost [LLB/81] in The Hague. Kyryluk shared the story of meeting the famous Robson Hall Class of 1981 alum on the Desautels blog.

On October 21, 2025, I took a short train ride from Nijmegen to The Hague. A ninety-minute train ride across the Netherlands felt surreal; for a Canadian, it’s like crossing a province before lunch. Much like home, however, you can find flat fields of various crops, distant farmhouses, and grazing cows speckled throughout the countryside.

Visiting The Hague, often called the global centre of international law, certainly piqued my judicial curiosity. Yet I was taking this train ride for one reason: to meet Robson Hall alumna and International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Kimberly Prost. The moment I learned I would be studying in the Netherlands, I knew I had to meet Judge Prost. She has reached the pinnacle of international law, and for someone interested in the field like me, meeting her would be like a young Canadian meeting an NHL superstar. After a period of relative dormancy during the Cold War, international criminal law experienced a renaissance in the 1990s. Judge Prost played a pivotal role in that resurgence and in the very institutions that have since become subjects of my own research and writing. After a few emails and with the assistance of Robson Hall’s Director of Professional Development, Trina McFadyen [LLB/00], a meeting was arranged.

International Criminal Court building. Photo by Jayden Kyryluk.

I arrived at the ICC in the afternoon, and I quickly noticed the beauty of the building. In contrast to the Neo-Renaissance International Court of Justice, a 35-minute walk away, the ICC is modern. Five glass towers rise from a rectangular base, encircled by a moat and patches of grass reminiscent of Manitoba’s prairie fields. Draped in vines and framed by water, the building felt peaceful. One could say the feeling mirrored the Court’s mission itself.

I met with Judge Prost upon arriving at the ICC, and we had a wonderful conversation about Winnipeg, international law, and some lessons she has learnt along the way. We laughed to discover we’d grown up across the Red River from one another, no more than a five-minute drive. “What a small world,” we said, as we realized we were also graduates of sibling high schools. It was apparent we came from similar roots.

Her most memorable advice was sincere: say yes to opportunities as they come. “I never planned this career path,” she said, explaining that it unfolded through one opportunity after another. Judge Prost is deeply proud to come from Winnipeg and credits her upbringing in the city as a significant factor in her success. Growing up in Winnipeg’s welcoming, multicultural environment facilitated a seamless transition between international institutions, including the Commonwealth Secretariat, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the United Nations, and now the ICC.

Read the full story on the Desautels Centre blog.

Learn about UM’s Student exchange program.

In 2024, the Asper Exchange Program signed 12 new partnerships, continuing to expand options for students with over 60 business school partners in over 30 countries around the world.

For the first time, Asper students can study in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and have not one but two options in Scotland (Edinburgh and Glasgow). They also have access to new partner schools in France, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Slovakia, and Spain.

The language of home

Helin Emre may be one of the first Asper students to attend Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, but for her, it was a return home.

Emre moved to Canada from Turkey as a child and wanted to experience living there as an adult while advancing her studies.

She describes her wonder at the famous Cappadocia hot air balloons, the liveliness of Istanbul, and the gravity of the Blue Mosque. She wandered Mardin, marveling at the architecture against the backdrop of conversations in Kurdish (her native tongue).

Emre explains how the enriching cultural exchange impacted her studies in actuarial mathematics as well. “In terms of academics, the biggest opportunity was learning about my field of study in a different light and cultural lens, allowing me to access new perspectives and a global knowledge,” she says.

“I would definitely recommend doing an exchange to other Asper students. Not only do you learn tons about yourself, but you meet incredible people and are put in an environment where it’s necessary to learn and grow as both a student and individual,” she adds.

From the islands to the city

As the first Asper student to study at Taylor’s University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sophia Ali was nervous but excited.

“It felt scary at first because I didn’t know what to expect,” she recalls.

But Ali had done her research, selecting Taylor’s in part because of cost-effectiveness and because she had a loftier goal in mind for her exchange trip.

“I saw it as an opportunity to broaden my perspective on different cultures and to gain the knowledge of what it’s like to live in another country,” she says.

Once she arrived, Ali felt her apprehension dissipate as she connected with exchange students from other countries and explored the country. She navigated the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur and found ease amid the country’s many islands and beaches.

Having returned from her exchange, Ali looks forward to sharing her experience—the nerves of the first few days and the subsequent exploration and enjoyment—with her peers.

“It honestly was exciting to be the first student to go to Taylor’s as I am now able to help future students who someday want to study in Malaysia,” she says.

Places shaped by time

Moving between the Kenting coastline, the peaks of the Alishan Range, the serenity of Sun Moon Lake, and the urban centre of Taipei, Shiloh Liu spent her exchange familiarizing herself with both the natural and cultural landscapes of Taiwan.

Studying at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan, Taiwan, Liu hoped to expand her understanding of Taiwan’s political and cultural history.

With aspirations of pursuing her CPA designation, Liu also wanted to bolster her knowledge from a global point of view. She recounts courses that brought in high-level professionals from industry, academia, and government.

“This allowed us to understand how theoretical knowledge is applied in the real world, particularly in the field of accounting and data management,” she says.

She shares how she wasn’t just the first Asper student to study at NCKU, but also the only Canadian student there that term.

“I felt honoured to be part of such a diverse exchange program. While most exchange students were from France and Germany, only three of us were from North America—two from the US and me, representing Canada.

“It was a unique and enriching experience to interact with students from different parts of the world,” she says.

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With new partner schools and more relationships built each year, the Asper Exchange Program brings the best in experiential learning around the world, giving students the chance to deepen their business knowledge, test out their independence, and make incredible global connections.

Applications for Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Winter 2026 are now open until January 31, 2025. Visit the Asper Exchange Program page to learn more about applying today.

“I enjoy collecting souvenirs as keepsakes from my international exchange experiences. Throughout my degree, I have completed two international exchanges, which have enriched my International Business major,” says Mohamed.

With each new country she visits, Mohamed keeps train tickets, postcards, and keychains. When she gets back home, she arranges them carefully into a single scrapbook page, a glimpse of another Asper adventure.

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When you think about your Asper journey so far, what are the experiences that stand out?

HM: “I was always involved in Student-Action Groups (STAGs) at Asper, which can be a lot of work but so rewarding.

“I gained so many skills in such a short period of time—whether they be organizational skills like event planning, or communication skills from speaking with different partners and industry leaders.

“One of the most involved initiatives I got involved in was in my fourth year, when I rejoined the Commerce Students’ Association (CSA) as one of The Commerce Week (TCW) co-chairs. This involved multiple events, so we had to get many different permits and coordinate a lot of stakeholder engagement. That was really influential in terms of the skills and core competencies that I gained from that.”

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During her time at Asper, Mohamed has been a part of the CSA as a member of the First Year Council and TCW, VP of Academic Programming for the Asper International Management Society, Director of Finance for the World University Service of Canada, and VP of Corporate Relations for the University of Manitoba Supply Chain Organization, where today she is Director of Finance.

With all that involvement and busy-ness of student life, are there moments that you are particularly proud of? What are some of the moments that would make the scrapbook page?

HM: “My co-chair and I introduced the food truck event to TCW, which had not been part of the orientation week in previous years. We specifically wanted to do something that was not alcohol-centered. We know that many students don’t drink, and we wanted to create an event that was enjoyable but also a bit more inclusive.

“If I really had to zoom out and think about a moment… it would probably be during Commerce on the Quad, the last event of the week—I think it was a Friday. It was just really nice to see new Asper students having fun and making friends. We had a beach theme, so people were throwing beachballs in the air and having a good time. It was cool to see all that work we had put in all summer materialize into an actual event.”

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For as many moments as Mohamed can recount, she thinks of the people who have influenced her journey.

She mentions recruiters—Verna Kroeker and Kyle Lougheed—who inspired her move from Vancouver to Winnipeg to join UM, professors—Kelsey Taylor—who sparked her interest in supply chain management as a major, and former managers—Mai Gagujas and Krista Olafsson—whom she meets with monthly for mentorship check-ins, as well as Amber Pohl, Lead of International Experiential Programs at Asper.

“All of these interactions and moments, events and opportunities, they all kind of contribute to the bigger picture and help you along the way,” says Mohamed.

“One conversation can lead to learning something that you didn’t even know was possible or an opportunity that can change your life.”

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The University of Manitoba offers many opportunities for students to travel abroad and expand their horizons. To provide more information for students, the Faculty of Arts Language Center hosted a Study/Work Abroad Fair on October 9th.

The fair offered presentations from the German DAAD program, the UM International Center, the McCall MacBain International Fellowship and the JET Japan program. Additionally, booths were set up with information on countries including Iceland, Mexico, France and Spain.

John Kleiner presented information on the German DAAD program, which offers opportunities for individuals at all levels of study. DAAD has study and research programs for current students and recent graduates. Germany is a great choice for living abroad as it offers low tuition costs and high academic and living standards. DAAD also offers funding and scholarships for students to alleviate financial stress.

Naomi Fujiwara, the Student Mobility Coordinator for the UM International Center, provided information on the student exchange program. There are exchange partnerships with over 50 international institutions. Student exchange is a great way to experience another country while paying regular UM tuition and gaining credits toward your degree. There are also an array of scholarships, bursaries and awards available to help cover costs. If you are considering exchange, applications open December 1^st for Summer/Fall 2025 and Winter 2026.

Colin Monk joined virtually to promote the McCall MacBain International Fellowship. This fellowship allows current students to live in a new country for a year. The year is divided into three terms: language, academic and work. MMIF has up to $30,000 available per fellowship to assist students. If you missed this presentation, Colin will present to UM students again on October 22^nd, so make sure to RSVP to this event.

The Faculty of Arts Language Center works with all language departments at UM to support both students and staff. It offers computerized learning labs, tutors and many other resources to help students learn a new language. It encourages students to take language courses and go abroad to enrich their university experience.

While travelling with friends or family can be fun and exciting, living abroad allows you to truly experience the culture of a country. Victor Calvo, a linguistics honours student who went to Essen, Germany, spoke on his experience, “I gained confidence, intercultural sensitivity and made lots of friends and connections.” Living abroad allows you to see the world from a different perspective. Don’t hesitate to look into these opportunities, as they provide growth and experience.

By a beach in Portugal

Tallon Sparks [BComm(Hons)/24] spent his first day in Lisbon, Portugal finding the places he would come back to again and again on his international exchange journey, from groceries and sundries to the best place for a beverage at the beach and the Nova School of Business and Economics campus.

Sparks, also an Indigenous Business Education Partners alum, graduated from the Asper School of Business this year with a BComm, staying busy in the first half of his degree as a Bison track and field athlete. His decision to go on exchange was spontaneous, just something to look into until he found himself in the midst of a 14-hour travel day.

Now an actuarial intern at Canada Life, Sparks reflects on this unique learning experience. “One of my greatest takeaways from exchange was developing soft skills. It forced me to grow in a trial by fire, where I was thrown into an unfamiliar situation, and I developed new skills to adapt,” he says.

As his daily life grew outwards from his Lisbon apartment, so too did his global network, meeting people from across Canada and throughout Europe.

In the fall, Sparks will bring his adaptability and ability to make connections back to Europe once again, moving to Germany to begin a Master of Science in actuarial mathematics.

Between Brazil and Hong Kong

Asper alum Julya Zan [BComm(Hons)/19] was determined to experience a new place on her own.

“I wanted to go to a country where no one else from Asper was going. I didn’t want to know anyone there—I really wanted to get out of my comfort zone, meet people and figure things out on my own,” she says.

This motivation took Zan to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to study at Fundacao Getulio Vargas (she would later complete an additional exchange term in Hong Kong). Thriving in business classes and connecting with fellow students on campus in English, she quickly felt the language barrier of not understanding Portuguese in life outside of school. Unable to speak with people on the bus, at the market or in the street, Zan felt the conversations of the world around her dim.

She soon began private Portuguese language courses and felt the barrier between herself and locals thinning. “I got to the point where I could understand people again and became so much more comfortable in the country,” she explains.

Today, Zan works as an investment banking associate at CIBC, advising and assisting clients on mergers and acquisitions, as well as debt and equity financing. Five years in, she reflects on what her time in Brazil (and a subsequent exchange in Hong Kong) taught her about keeping a world of connection open to clients, colleagues and leaders.

“It’s very important knowing who is in the room and being open to learning and adapting to their communication style—a lesson I have certainly learned from my experiences abroad,” she says. “It is crucial to be able to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and build relationships. In my current role, I prioritize making personal connections with the analysts and students who report to me, ensuring they feel comfortable approaching me and speaking up.”

Sometime soon in Germany

For Asper BComm student Megha Jaryal, an exchange is on the horizon. Jaryal has been involved with the Commerce Students’ Association, JDC West, the Price Student-Managed Investment Fund and the University of Manitoba Finance Organization, covering most corners of the Drake Centre.

In September, she will travel to Vallendar, Germany, to study at the WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management, one of the country’s top ranked business schools.

With goals to pursue a career in investment banking, Jaryal hopes to round out her business knowledge in a new context. “In European financial sectors, the thought process and reasoning behind valuation differs from what we have in Canada, and learning this side of the process will be very beneficial,” she says.

“Canada is a such a diverse country where you work with people from all over the world. I hope that this exchange will broaden my understanding, empathy and familiarity with other people.”

Being in Europe (and especially Germany in October) is also sure to bring many more exciting and unique travel experiences, as Jaryal hopes to visit other countries while she studies.

It might be that Jaryal’s journey resembles that of Sparks’, who in travelling to one city now has connections across Canada and the world; or, it might be that her journey more closely resembles that of Zan, who in stepping out of her own comfort zone has gone on to support colleagues in doing the same at work.

More likely, Jaryal’s journey will be entirely her own, a thoroughly informative, unexpectedly transformative experience of a lifetime.

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The Asper School of Business exchange program gives students the change to study at one of over 60 business schools around the world. Learn more about the exchange program and partner schools here.

Glikman is in his fourth year of the Bachelor of Commerce program in the Asper School of Business. He is double majoring in finance and international business.

“I applied for the McCall MacBain International Fellowship because I yearned for the challenge of immersing myself in a new country, mastering the local language, establishing a sense of belonging, and truly making it my own.”

“As an international business student, I have tried to develop a global perspective and learn about different cultures,” says Glikman who previously took part in an exchange semester in Portugal, which was “one of the best chapters” of his life. He was eager for another, more in-depth international experience.

When he heard about the opportunities provided by the McCall MacBain International Fellowship, he knew he had to take the chance and apply.

“I saw it as my next adventure,” he says. “Four months of intensive Korean classes, four months doing an academic exchange, and then four months working an internship. It sounded crazy to everyone except me.”

Glikman joins 18 other undergraduate students from across Canada to form the fifth cohort of McCall MacBain International Fellows.

Valued at up to $30,000, the Fellowship is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn a language, participate actively and respectfully in a new community, build lasting international ties, and deepen their ability to work in a different cultural context.

Glikman is grateful to the McCall MacBain Foundation for the fellowship.

“Receiving this fellowship means the world to me. It signifies the incredible opportunity to fully immerse myself in Korean culture and experience life in South Korea,” says Glikman.

“This fellowship will allow me to develop valuable soft skills, such as cultural awareness and adaptability, and hard skills, like proficiency in a new language. The fellowship represents a significant step in my journey of personal growth and cultural understanding, and I am very grateful for the chance to make the most of it.”

He is also grateful to his parents for their support along the way.

“When my parents left home in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and moved our family to Winnipeg when I was three years old, they did it for my brother and me. They left behind everything that was familiar and comfortable to them to start anew in a different country, with a new language, all to give us better opportunities. This fellowship is a testament to their sacrifices and commitment to our future. I am incredibly grateful for their support and the chance to seize this amazing opportunity,” he says.

Glikman will be in Korea for one year. “I am really looking forward to learning and practicing my Korean with my local homestay family,” he says. “Making progress is going to be very rewarding!

“Although I haven’t left for my fellowship yet, if you’re reading this and are interested, I encourage you to apply,” he says. “Very few people in the world have the privilege and opportunity to experience something like this, so you should definitely consider it!”

Applications for the next cohort will open in October 2024 for departure in 2025. McCall MacBain Foundation staff will be holding information sessions at UM in October.

For more information on how to apply, and to learn more about exchange opportunities at the University of Manitoba, please contact the International Centre.

International exchanges such as these are a key component of experiential learning. There are 12 types of experiential learning opportunities at UM, which are integrated within the curriculum, intentionally designed to address specific outcomes in co-curricular settings, and/or situated within a workplace. UM is committed to providing every student with an opportunity for experiential learning.

“That did not stop me,” says Alnaser, intent on pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce focused on international business. He immediately started working on the problem with an academic advisor.

He describes himself as optimistic, accepting hardships but opting to see them as challenges he can overcome. “No matter the problem, I aim to understand it with an open mind and think of ways to work around it.”

The next year, Alnaser successfully reapplied to and enrolled at Asper. Already a graduate of the prestigious President’s Student Leadership program, he was a student leader driven by this optimism and his passion for international business.

Finding passion in giving back

His studies at UM began in 2020, pursuing a Bachelor of Science with hopes of going into healthcare. The hopes, it turns out, were not entirely his own. “My dad owned a dairy store in Syria. My parents knew from experience that business is not always perfect; they wanted me to have a stable job and a good life, so they encouraged me to pursue sciences.

“I tried that path. It wasn’t for me.”

He found a path that was for him through the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), a non-profit organization that helps resettle refugees in Canada through education. Alnaser himself was sponsored by the program when he was forced to leave Syria and eventually relocate to Canada as a refugee in 2018.

As president of the WUSC local committee at UM (2019-2022), Alnaser managed communications, operations and finances, all to ensure that displaced youth could access education and resettlement as he had. The enjoyment he felt volunteering had been absent from his academic efforts studying science.

For Alnaser, the Asper BComm program offered an opportunity to engage his knack for business, open more doors for his future and give back. “I want to work in international development using the skills I’m gaining at Asper to help people and give back to the community that hosted me here in Canada.”

International opportunities

In 2023, Alnaser explored business overseas on an international exchange term at the Manchester Metropolitan University in England. 

“One major reason I pursued an international exchange was to challenge myself and prove, especially as someone lives with a disability, that I am fully capable of embarking on incredible journeys,” he says.

“As I met new people, I shared my story of living in a refugee camp in Jordan with no hope of getting out, and now, here I am, travelling the world. I started to recognize my own sense of achievement and perseverance.”

Alnaser journeyed to 11 countries across Europe and the Middle East, indulging his love for travel, connecting with locals and even finding opportunities to reunite with family he hadn’t seen in years.

After his exchange, he traveled with WUSC to Ghana for an international research seminar focused on business and sustainability. He consulted with local organizations pursuing sustainability, learning about their current challenges and offering potential solutions. He also learned about Ghana, going on experiential learning outings to national parks and historical sites. Understanding a context through these local, national and international scopes is what draws him to international business.

Reinforcing resilience

Alnaser’s story is international, already spanning an impressive portion of the globe, and it is by engaging with diverse perspectives, cultures and people that he continues to discover and cultivate self-acceptance.

“I’m a bilateral amputee, having lost both my legs in a fire at a very young age. My family reinforced that I was different in a good way—I’ve never looked at myself as lesser than. As a teenager, I had a cosmetic part of my prosthesis, which would mean that most people wouldn’t be able to see that I’m an amputee. After a couple of years in Canada, observing and understanding the culture, I decided to remove this cosmetic part, embracing my unique journey and proudly showcasing my prosthetic limbs as a testament to resilience and strength and a challenge to societal perceptions of disability.

“All my experiences have shaped my personality, making me more open-minded and accepting of myself. I’ve found that I’m very happy with who I am.”

The student whose Asper application was initially rejected eventually found himself this year choosing between co-op opportunities, international exchange terms, summer job offers and international research seminars, creating a path and following hopes all his own.

Chutta and Ahmed competed in the finale, which aired this week, finishing in third place after a spectacular run.

From reciting alien language in Toronto and safely serving Quebecois tourtière through an obstacle course in Saguenay, to climbing, bungee jumping, free diving and lots of running, Chutta and Ahmed excelled thanks to their resiliency, pulling ahead with each leg of the race across Canada.

Chutta has always been on the move for better or for worse. He reflects on his experience growing up in Winnipeg, his parents arriving in Canada as refugees, and the struggles he faced before university.

“I didn’t have stability at a young age. I think by the time I graduated high school I had been to 10 different schools and lived in even more homes,” he explains. “There was a lot of uncertainty, and I kind of figured out how to live under those conditions. That’s probably why I was so comfortable on The Amazing Race, because you never knew what was coming next.”

If he was surviving despite all the change he experienced early in life, Chutta appears to be thriving because of it since, succeeding in international business and pursuing world travel beyond the race.

Exchange and entrepreneurship

He always had a knack for business, starting various ventures in high school and throughout university, including Me & My Dogs, his summer hot dog cart. Despite this knack, he didn’t initially see business as an option for education.

“I thought business was something you should do out in the world, not something you should take in school,” he recalls. “I took sciences for two years until I realized that learning more about business would bode well for my career and entrepreneurship.”

Fortunately for Chutta, the Asper BComm program design partially agrees with his initial impression, combining in-class training with a plethora of real-world learning opportunities outside of the classroom. He was immediately drawn to international exchange opportunities, applying to an exchange in Pécs, Hungary and then to another in Guadalajara, Mexico.

“My exchange experiences were incredible,” he says. “In Hungary, I spent a lot of time with people from different cultures. We took courses in EU business and law and international sales, and every weekend, we would backpack to a nearby country—Poland, Ukraine, Spain. In Mexico, I learned about Latin American business and how to speak Spanish. Both exchanges really opened my mind to world travel.”

After graduating from Asper, he became director of global sales (encore performance seating) at Winnipeg’s Palliser Furniture Upholstery Ltd. and received the Spirit of Winnipeg Trade Award in 2020 for his work with the organization. Despite Palliser’s local origins, the job gave Chutta far more international opportunity than he had imagined.

“Within two years of working there, I was traveling across the world and working with a fully international team,” says Chutta. “I was able to leverage the skills I learned at Asper in international business and marketing as well as the cultural awareness that I developed on my exchanges, which helped me work with potential customers in different markets.”

Mentorship with a message

When the pandemic drastically changed the nature of his work, Chutta took the opportunity to see the world. He set off on two years of globetrotting, seeing 25 countries in as many months.

He was in Australia with Ahmed when the two tossed around the idea of applying to The Amazing Race Canada—a well-timed Instagram ad shortly after this conversation prompted the two to take a chance and apply as a team.

Their leap of faith paid off, and on the show, they wear shirts with this reminder to ‘believe’ made by Zueike, a Winnipeg-based premium athletic apparel brand co-owned by another Asper BComm alum and entrepreneur, Ogo Okwumabua [BComm(Hons)/01].

Photo Credit: CTV

Says Chutta, “when we were looking for clothing for the race, we reached out—we wanted something with a message: believe in yourself, believe in things you can’t see yet that are possible.”

Okwumabua kept up with the race and comments on how Chutta and Ahmed are making Winnipeg proud. “They were already leaders and strong representatives before the race,” says Okwumabua. “The way they’ve conducted themselves through their highs and lows is exactly what we’ve come to except from them. They’ve been amazing.”

Chutta is forthcoming about the impact of mentorship in his life. He is grateful for friends, family and community members like Okwumabua that have inspired, guided and supported him. “That leadership and mentorship got me to where I am today,” he says.

After the race

“When I think of what’s next in my trajectory, I think of paying it forward through mentorship and sharing my story to inspire others, reaching people who might see themselves in my upbringing, my struggles or my success,” says Chutta.

He hopes to pursue future speaking engagements and mentorship opportunities while showcasing his travel experiences, which he shares on his Instagram and YouTube channel, and dreams of starring in a travel series following him across Africa. He is open to what comes after the race, recognizing how far he has come.

“The trajectory that I’ve been on, that story, it’s already something that I’m really proud of,” he says.

Chutta is crafting his own story—a way to understand how his remarkable experiences culminate to something greater and to inspire those that see themselves in the highs and lows of his journey.

Chutta sharing his experiences with Asper students, moderated by Amber Pohl, Asper coordinator of student exchanges and international cooperation. Photo: Rohan Shanker

Lazarenko’s next new experience is, oddly enough, completing a full year of course work, in-person, in the Drake Centre, in Winnipeg.

“I’ve sort of done it backwards,” he says. “It will be my final year of the Asper program, but my first full year on campus.”

Normal is not something Lazarenko was seeking from the Asper BComm program. In his very first term, he knew that he wanted to go on an international exchange trip.

“I wanted the discomfort of being somewhere totally unfamiliar, and I knew that I wanted to travel while I could,” he says.

He applied for exchange as the program navigated shifting public health measures and unpredictable futures brought on by the pandemic. With support from Amber Pohl, Asper’s coordinator of student exchanges and international cooperation, Lazarenko finally began an exchange study term in 2022 at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem after living and traveling in Israel independently since 2021.

“My experience was amazing. The university programming was so personalized, and I had opportunities to learn from world-renowned researchers and network with global leaders,” he says. “In Israel, students begin university a few years later than in Canada, so I was in classes with ambitious people who had more life experience.”

On exchange, Lazarenko could pursue his education while learning how to adapt to and understand another culture. It wasn’t simply that he learned more about Israel outside of a North American lens; it was that he learned just how limited understandings of a culture or context can be from afar.

Lazarenko met students from around the world as well—sharing a living space with four roommates from as many countries—and immersed himself in the culture while navigating the unfamiliarity of Israel.

“An important takeaway for me is how quickly we can get used to something that feels so strange and different at first,” he says.

From international exchange student to foreign relief volunteer

During his exchange term, Lazarenko was following media coverage of the devastation and conflict in Ukraine. He wanted to help in any way he could, and so, earlier this year he began volunteering for humanitarian initiatives starting at the Poland-Ukraine border and eventually moving further into the country, eventually joining initiatives delivering humanitarian aid essentials to Ukrainians still living near the frontlines.

“In my first few weeks, I was living and working in a refugee shelter near the border, then I worked as a disaster recovery volunteer in the de-occupied areas surrounding Kyiv,” he says. “I helped clear the destroyed remnants of people’s homes, carrying pieces of their lives away in my arms. It was often incredibly emotional.”

He describes the devastation and gratitude the locals conveyed, often simultaneously.

Lazarenko was struck by how daily life persisted even as the thundering sound of air strikes remained in the background. “It would feel odd to just go to a coffee shop, but what else could you do?” he says.

He met internally displaced Ukrainians who had left their homes after hoping to ride out the war, who might go for coffee in Kyiv while listening for air raid alarms, and who, despite ongoing missile strikes, drone attacks and military-set curfews and power outages, had no plans to leave Ukraine.

He saw first-hand how the daily rhythms of life continue in ways that media and second-hand reporting can’t ever quite capture. He agrees that although the experience had a dramatic impact on his personal development, it isn’t necessarily for everyone.

As he begins his final year at Asper, he grapples with returning to everyday rhythms in Winnipeg and bringing these lifechanging experiences back to a familiar setting.

He is excited to share his experience and offer advice to students interested in going on exchange to Israel and was even invited to participate in last year’s Arni Thorsteinson Student Exchange Program (ATSEP) event in Winnipeg.

Ultimately, Lazarenko is ready to complete his BComm and discover his next adventure—he’s not exactly sure what that is, but he’s proven that he can embrace uncertainty, adapt and learn no matter the context.

Amber Pohl, Asper School of Business ATSEP Lead, explains how the exchange allows student to learn more about themselves through the lens of a new culture. “As a cultural exchange program, ATSEP encourages students to explore their knowledge beyond the classroom. They are immersed in a new culture and have the opportunity to reflect on where their own ideas, values and beliefs come from, all while they develop crucial skills applicable to business at home and abroad.”

The program kicks off with students from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in Beersheva, Israel visiting Winnipeg, where they attend classes and tour various local businesses. Then, joined by Asper students, the group visits national-scale businesses in Toronto before continuing in Israel.

In Winnipeg, students observe local histories and global futures, visiting the Forks and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. While in Israel, students experience the salinity of the Dead Sea and the history of the Old City of Jerusalem.

For ATSEP alumni, the program has been hugely influential in their professional and personal development.

Chris Greenhalgh [BComm(Hons)/09], Director, PWM Brand & Practice Marketing at IG Wealth Management is an ATSEP alumnus. “My experience with this program was nothing short of lifechanging. The experiences and conversations I had while in Israel provided clarity both personally and professionally on many different levels. Getting to experience and be immersed in a different culture daily gave me a great appreciation and perspective that I carry with me today,” said Greenhalgh.

Gili Malinovitch, Demand Ad Ops at Odeeo in Tel Aviv, Israel came to Winnipeg in 2019, and notes the program’s profound impact “My experience was filled with new friendships and cultural discoveries. I experienced the warmth and openness of the Canadian people while showcasing the diversity and resilience of Israeli heritage, which was truly unforgettable.

“I had the privilege of introducing Asper students to the vibrant and rich Israeli culture, sharing the nuances of Israeli traditions, customs, and cuisine. ATSEP not only broadened my knowledge of strategic management, but also allowed me to create lifelong connections, and networks for my business future, and promote cross-cultural understanding,” said Malinovitch.

The 2023 program returned after a two-year pause and saw students from the Asper School of Business and Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management participate in a variety of academic and cultural experiences over a four-week period. This included visiting conglomerates such as Palliser Furniture and Price Industries, as well as meeting with Canadian entrepreneur and beverage pioneer Anthony von Mandl.

The program gives Asper students an in-dept look at the significant strides Israel has made in developing high-technology infrastructure. In 2022, students toured SpacePharma, a company that builds miniaturized microgravity pharma labs for space.

In 2023, the program saw students delve into the economic development sector of Israel. With tours with MATI Jerusalem, an NGO that works primarily to provide economic development opportunities for Palestinian women, and a visit with Trade Commissioner Jonathan Ruta at the Canadian Embassy in Tel Aviv, they honed their understanding of impact-driven programs.

While the program itself is four weeks of lifechanging learning experiences, alumni new and old recall the connections they made and keep to this day.

Asper marketing and supply chain undergrad Maisy Do was a part of the 2023 cohort. “If someone asked me what the best part of ATSEP 2023 was, I’d say friendships! Learning from friends and real-life experiences made a huge contribution to my self-development,” she said.

Do adds that the exchange program creates space for students to develop empathy and social skills and grow professional intercultural leadership competencies.

On May 6, 2023, ATSEP hosted a celebration for current and past ATSEP participants at Fort Gibraltar. Arni Thorsteinson, in whose honour this program is named, along with local program stakeholders joined Asper faculty and staff to commemorate this milestone and look ahead to continued success.