It has been a year full of disruptive events for Natalia Gorina from Kyiv/Ukraine, starting with the war attack against her home country and the associated changes in the life plans of so many Ukrainians. Natalia, who has already extensively traveled and worked in her few years of professional life all through Europe, suddenly had immense difficulties collecting sufficient scholarship support for her dream to join the International Space University Space Studies Program 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. The ISS Crew Fund, administered by ASE Europe, came to help, closing the financial gap and allowing her to take up her studies.
Says Natalia: “I would sincerely like to thank you for the opportunity to attend ISU’s Space Studies Program 2022 in Lisbon this summer. It was an unforgettable and enriching experience and has provided me with the spark for space once more, especially with the difficulties I have experienced this year. “
Natalia holds several diploma and academic titles in Space Law and Financial Economics from universities and institutes in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, but also has a remarkable track record of pro bono work for various charity organizations. During the program, her expectations were 100% fulfilled: “I met a slew of interesting, intelligent, and passionate individuals, and was welcomed into a community that inspires learning and curiosity with open arms. From building and launching a rocket, to gazing at the stars, to coming up with a group project many of us are working on still – SSP22 has forever changed my life and I was, am, and will continue to be grateful for it.”
When asked how she felt during this year she answers: “Most importantly, this opportunity has reminded me of how much is possible, how much there is still to go and explore and has given me the confidence in my abilities to keep striving for my dreams. And most importantly, not to lose hope.”
Glad, we (ASE Europe) could help you, Natalia!
ASE Europe, the European branch of the worldwide Association of Space Explorers, and its astronaut members advocate the uniquely motivating perspective of orbital spaceflight to students and young professionals all over the world. The ISS Crew Fund collects ISS astronauts’ donations and supports young space professionals in international encounters across borders on Earth, borders, which are not visible from the orbital perspective.
An article by ASE Europe.
Picture: Graduation at a historical Lisbon site; Natalia Gorina receives the ISU SSP certificate from Arif Goktug Karacalioglu, ISU SSP 2022 director
