Reflection on Katerina Manoff Interview by Eileen Wu

Katerina Manoff is the founder of ENGin, a nonprofit that connects Ukrainian youth to volunteers for free English practice and intercultural exchange. As a Ukrainian immigrant with a strong connection to her home country, Manoff contrasts idealism with practicality, immigrant identity with an international worldview, and childhood dreams with adult considerations. For instance, Manoff emphasizes her decision to go to the University of Pennsylvania for undergraduate studies, rather than Yale or Columbia, to both of which she was accepted, despite their higher prestige. Because she felt like the University of Pennsylvania was a better fit for her, she chose to go there, demonstrating significant resolution and self-possession that is admirable and inspiring.

Manoff’s interview is vivid in a way that includes both the highlights and lowlights of her journey. She does not shy away from talking about the setbacks she faced and how she eventually overcame them. She describes her career path as a “labyrinth,” for its non-straightforwardness, but believes her myriad of experiences helped prepare her for her current endeavors. Throughout the interview, Manoff underlines the importance of education, both in her personal journey and as a part of her nonprofit, which helps talented Ukrainians receive scholarships to study abroad in the United States.

What’s most inspiring to me about Manoff is her resolution and her willingness to switch schools, directions, and careers when she finds that something is not working for her. Her motivation to help others and give back to her home country shines through in the interview. Despite the lack of clear direction at first in her career, she eventually found the way forward and is now making a difference in the world.