“Iron Shift”: how Junior Diplomatic Academy students lived through the experience

2. The “Iron Shift” project goes far beyond a traditional educational initiative. Its mission is to build a modern, multi-layered system that prepares young people for life, learning, work, and growth in wartime realities. It represents a vision of a strong, united, intelligent, athletic, and patriotic generation shaping the future of a European Ukraine.
   
   

Junior Diplomatic Academy students who joined the Ukrzaliznytsia project lived through the experience not as passive participants, but as active drivers of their own growth. Each day brought something new, yet all were connected by a shared spirit of openness, energy, and support.

The sessions with guest speakers became some of the most emotionally powerful moments of the experience.

2. The marketing lecture delivered by Varvara Herasymchuk made a strong impact on many students, as confirmed by feedback from Junior Diplomatic Academy participants:
   
   

“This was the first time I attended a lecture in this format, and honestly, my impressions are incredibly varied. Yet they are all united by a feeling of genuine excitement...”
(Artem Satsiuk, Junior Diplomatic Academy student, Iron Shift participant).

2. The session covered SMM, video editing, blogging, and social media algorithms — exploring what keeps viewers engaged and what makes them move on. The lecture unfolded as an open dialogue, combining the speaker’s personal experience, clear explanations of key concepts, and active interaction with the audience.
   
   

“Ms. Varvara presented marketing in a very clear and understandable way and showed how to create or improve your own blog,” said Uliana Kucheriava, a Junior Diplomatic Academy student and Iron Shift participant.

While the practical segment couldn’t be fully completed due to the lively discussion, the interactive format itself became the most valuable part of the experience.

2. Equally powerful were the sessions with servicemen from the 12th Brigade, who spoke about their experience, responsibility, and inner strength.
   
   

“Today’s lectures with the Azov fighters from the 12th Brigade were incredibly engaging. We learned a lot, and the UAL program is truly impressive,” shared Andrii Zakharchuk, a Junior Diplomatic Academy student and participant of Iron Shift.

2. The program also included a session on tactical medicine and first aid — skills that have become critically important in today’s wartime reality.
   
   

“The program is great, the Azov fighters are especially impressive, and Tactical Medicine was probably the most useful and interesting part of the day,”
— Andrii Bilous, Junior Diplomatic Academy student and Iron Shift participant.

“For many participants, these days marked a moment of personal growth and a deeper awareness of their own strength. ‘Iron Shift’ is not just about gaining skills — it is about understanding that even in challenging times, we can continue to grow, create, learn, and shape the future,” noted Rita Kosyak, Head of the Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth project office.