THE ENGIN BLOG

Osama Raii, an 18-year-old student from the coastal region of Syria, knows that feeling intimately. And it was from within that restlessness that he discovered something that would change the course of his life: a small nonprofit connecting Ukrainian students with English-speaking volunteers for weekly conversation practice, called ENGin. This is his story.

If there were one thing I would tell my younger self when starting my career as a CELTA-certified English teacher, I would emphasize the importance of cross-cultural awareness. And volunteering with ENGin has reminded me that teaching English is not only about grammar and vocabulary, but also about understanding the people behind the language.

When Vita first stumbled across ENGin online, she wasn't even looking for it. She was searching for something else entirely when the program appeared on her screen. She almost scrolled past it until she realized her friend was already part of it.

When I first joined ENGin Communities, I was looking for more than just a place to practise English — I was searching for kindred spirits within an English-speaking community. What I found exceeded my expectations: a warm, vibrant space where genuine connections are formed around shared passions and values. The Women Empowerment Community was where that journey truly began.

In September last year, I joined the ENGin programme, in which I assist Ukrainians seeking to expand their English vocabulary by simply talking to them. One such person I have the pleasure of speaking with is Natalia.

Kelley Peel remembers the moment clearly when she was sitting at home in West Michigan, scrolling through the news and seeing another headline about Ukraine, another image of a family saying goodbye at a train station, another story of a life interrupted and a home destroyed. She couldn't look away, but she also couldn't sit still. So she asked herself: "What can a normal person do for Ukraine?"

Picture this: you find a YouTube video you know your ENGin students will love. You show up to your session excited, press play, and five minutes later... silence. You ask what they thought. "It was good," they say. "Interesting." And that's it. The conversation dies, and you're left wondering how to fill the next 45 minutes. Sound familiar?

In 2023, I had just completed my studies and suddenly found myself with a lot of spare time on my hands. I started searching for volunteer opportunities online, and I saw someone mention that they taught English to Ukrainians online through ENGin.

It’s Saturday morning. I turn off my alarm and momentarily turn back around, allowing myself the luxury of another half hour. But then I remember why my alarm went off. It’s Saturday morning.

Recently, our volunteer Ava found herself at an unforgettable meeting with Iryna Pletnova, the Mayor of Uman, Ukraine. Standing beside her friend Kimberly, they presented important information for the Mayor in person, to expand trauma informed care to Ukraine. This was all made possible through the ENGin program. 

After years of connecting through screens, messages, and video calls, the ENGin team finally met in “3D”.

At ENGin, learning English often becomes more than just improving language skills — it turns into a journey of self-discovery. In this story, Daryna shares how joining our Psychology Community helped her connect her curiosity about the human mind with meaningful conversations in English.

In the world of business and innovation, complexity is often seen as a sign of progress. Entrepreneurs and creators feel pressure to develop products with cutting-edge technology, revolutionary models, or unprecedented solutions. The logic seems straightforward: if the market is crowded, your idea must be bigger, more complex, and “smarter” to survive. But what if that’s not always true? What if sometimes the real breakthrough lies in simplicity?

How many Ukrainians are starting to work in international environments or with global clients where English is a must? This audience is growing every day. If you’re among them, you’ve likely realized the importance of using specific language and adopting new behaviors when communicating with foreign stakeholders, clients, and colleagues.