On November 17, the world marks International Students’ Day. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, addresses Belarusian students:
“I am proud of Belarusian students.
You grew up in uncertainty and turned it into independence. You study, relocate, start businesses, learn new languages, change professions and countries – and still remain yourselves.
Being a Belarusian student is not easy, but you are incredibly strong. You study at the world’s best universities. You work at Google, Meta, and many international companies. You launch startups, compete in the arts, and become top doctors and athletes. You choose unconventional paths – BIM technologies, digital skills – and compete with graduates of leading international universities and seasoned professionals.
Like young entrepreneurs who made mistakes, learned, adapted, and grew their ventures through mentorship and perseverance. Like those who crossed borders to study law, engineering, international relations – despite threats and expulsions, choosing education over silence.
You don’t wait for permission – you create your own future. Every course, every job, every small project you start is already changing Belarus. You prove that Belarusian youth are outstanding professionals, not people who wait.
All of you chose growth over comfort. All of you choose the life and the future that you truly deserve.
Today is a day of courage, creativity, and freedom of thought. It is about the hundreds of you building startups, the thousands applying for scholarships abroad, and all those who reject the limitations imposed on you.
Happy Students’ Day to everyone who keeps growing, no matter what”.
