When Iryna Tiasko (SFS’23) landed in Washington, DC, from Ternopil Ukraine, to attend her first year of college last week, Georgetown alumnus Michael Bento (C’83) welcomed her at the airport and helped get her settled on campus.
Each year, Georgetown alumni, faculty and staff volunteers meet unaccompanied first-year students at airports, train or bus stations through the Georgetown Scholars Program’s (GSP) Project Move-in.
“It is a new chapter of my life that is happening on another continent far away from home,” says Tiasko,who plans to major in international politics. “I had no clue where to go or what to do, so having somebody to meet and help me was a big relief for both me and my parents.”
“I am grateful to GSP for giving this amazing opportunity to meet Mr. Mike, to have an amazing conversation about the past and the future of Georgetown and help me start this new journey,” she adds.
Bento, CEO of ENGAGE Strategies in Washington, DC, has volunteered for the past three years to meet first-year students from all over the country and abroad.
Tiasko is one of two students he picked up from Dulles International Airport this year and helped move into their residence halls.
“For many, it’s the first time the students have traveled to campus, and it’s great to see their reactions as we make our way to the university,” he says.