Maria grew up in Kyiv, Ukraine. She earned a BA in Ukrainian Philology, followed by an MA in Comparative Literature from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Kyiv. While in Ukraine she worked as coordinator and teacher of Literature and Arts in the educational project I Wonder (Now known as the “Maibutni” school). She also gained experience in cultural diplomacy and international relations, whilst working and later leading international department at the cultural institution Ukrainian Book Institute. In 2019 Maria started her international journey when she moved to Munich, Germany, where she earned second MA in Eastern European Studies with a major in History at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. She is now working on her PhD, while also serving as a university instructor at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. Her research focus includes nationalism and identity studies, post-WWII displacement, memory politics and Ukrainian intellectual history.
Introduced by our Ukrainian teacher Andrii, Maria joined ILLTC to provide Ukrainian literature support for some of the displaced Ukrainian students attending IB World School and who are pursuing their IB Diplomas in anticipation of their return to a more peaceful homeland. We are delighted to have Maria on our team of teachers.