From Online to Real Life: ENGin’s First Offline Summit and Student Meetup in Lviv
- ENGin Program
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
After years of connecting through screens, messages, and video calls, the ENGin team finally met in “3D”.
From September 25 to 27, 2025, historic central Lviv became ENGin’s temporary headquarters. A significant part of our Ukrainian team gathered there for the first-ever offline summit, joined by three colleagues from the US, including our founder and CEO, Katerina Manoff. For most of us, this was our first time shaking hands, sharing meals, and laughing together outside of Zoom squares.
Teamwork, but Make It Offline
Our three days in Lviv were filled with energy and purpose — from brainstorming sessions and strategic planning to moments of simple human connection. We talked about our mission and future, tackled some major challenges, learned from one another, and built the kind of understanding that only happens face-to-face.
Maria Leistner, an ENGin volunteer and member of our board of directors, traveled to Ukraine to join us. She participated in discussions, shared insights from her impressive career in banking and her community work, and left the team feeling even more inspired and motivated.
The summit also brought a touch of Ukrainian culture and a powerful reminder of what inclusivity truly means. One of the most memorable moments was a teambuilding visit to the Museum in the Dark, an interactive experience designed to help visitors understand what life is like for people who are blind. Led by blind guides, we felt our way around pitch-black rooms, learned to write in Braille, and struggled to put together basic children’s puzzles without relying on our eyes. It was humbling, thought-provoking, and deeply aligned with ENGin’s mission — to create empathy and understanding across differences.
Beyond the Team: The First Offline ENGin Student Meetup
As the summit unfolded, another milestone took place — the first offline meeting of ENGin students. Dozens of participants from Lviv and beyond gathered for live English conversation, laughter, and connection.
Katerina shared the story behind ENGin’s creation, and students had the chance to ask anything they wanted — from “How did it all start?” to “What’s next for ENGin?” The atmosphere was warm and open, filled with curiosity and gratitude.
For our team, meeting ENGin students in person for the first time was deeply moving. These are the faces and voices we’ve worked with virtually for years, now standing right in front of us, continuing to inspire everything we do.
What Comes Next
As the summit wrapped up, one thing was clear: ENGin’s strength lies not only in technology but in the human connection it fosters. The Lviv summit wasn’t just a meeting, it was a milestone, a celebration of how far the program has come and a launchpad for what’s next.
From heartfelt hugs to new ideas and collaborations, this first offline gathering proved that while ENGin was born online, its impact reaches far beyond the screen.
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