History Course Caps Semester with Collaborative International Learning with Ukrainian Students

In a meaningful conclusion to Professor Maxim Matusevich’s "History of the Cold War" course, students from Seton Hall University and Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) engaged in a dynamic and collaborative classroom experience. The class, led by Maxim Matusevich, Ph.D., professor of history and chair of the Department of History at Seton Hall, served as a capstone for the semester and is a milestone for the growing academic partnership between the two institutions.

Ukrainian Catholic University, located in Lviv, a city known as a cultural and intellectual hub in western Ukraine, brings a unique perspective to these exchanges. The university stands out as having the most competitive admissions in Ukraine and for deeply integrating Catholic values into its educational framework, a shared resonance with Seton Hall’s Catholic identity.

The session featured wide-ranging discussions that touched on geopolitics, psychological resilience and the shared challenges faced by students. UCU participants, primarily Psychology and Ethics-Politics-Economics majors, shared their perspectives on politics, mental wellness, and the role of community during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They spoke about balancing academic pressures with the realities of war, including air raids, power outages and connections to those on the frontlines. As one Ukrainian student stated, “during the war you are forced to grow up and mature very quickly.” Their resilience was evident in their active involvement in fundraising for organizations and volunteer psychological work for veterans. The Ukrainian students follow U.S. and global news closely, including following election night coverage as part of their studies.

Seton Hall students representing the School of Diplomacy and International Relations, History, Political Science, and other majors gained a deeper understanding of global issues and the complexities of American and international perspectives. The students touched on a range of important topics, including populism, media consumption and the challenges of navigating social media disinformation. The exchange allowed students to reflect on the role of youth in shaping their societies’ futures.

This collaborative learning experience is part of a broader initiative to create meaningful international learning opportunities for Seton Hall students with counterparts in Ukraine, including through a long-standing relationship with Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University. The success of this exchange was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Maxim Matusevich, Ph.D., Nathaniel Knight, Ph.D., James Daly, Ed.D., Tetiana Basiuk and Halyna Kurochka from UCU. Andrew Misura ‘13/M.B.A. ’23, an administrator in the Division of University Relations, has played a key role in strengthening these ties since returning from teaching at UCU’s English Summer School.

Students develop academic insights, broaden their worldviews, and build empathy and mutual understanding through these exchanges. The collaboration reflects Seton Hall University’s commitment to preparing students to navigate and contribute to an increasingly interconnected world.

Categories: Education, Nation and World