Four winners of the “Path To Harvard” program, a contest organized by Harvard Club of Poland, have just landed in the US and are already heading to the university to experience it in person, make connections and maybe apply in the foreseeable future.

The four laureates are Julia Lasiota, Natalia Puczek, Franciszek Sokolowski and Andrzej Tkacz.

Their journey started in New York where they spend a couple of days. On Monday,  October 14th, they move to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where they meet with prof. Mark C. Elliott, Vice Provost of International Affairs at Harvard; prof. Grzegorz Ekiert, director of the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies at Harvard. A meeting of the Polish community in Cambridge will also be held with Polish students and some members of the faculty attending as well. The group’s itinerary includes all main Harvard schools and MIT.

– Our goal is to bring Harvard closer to the laureates and show them that studying here is doable and viable, even for people from less privileged backgrounds – says Agata Mazurowska-Rozdeiczer, director of the program and a Harvard Law School alumna. – Our past years laureates who are now Harvard students or graduates emphasize that thanks to the program they gained confidence in applying to the university and finally making their dreams come true – adds Agata Mazurowska-Rozdeiczer.

The second person in charge of the Harvard trip group is Wojtek Walniczek (HBS MBA), vice director of the “Path To Harvard” program.

About the program

“Path To Harvard” program is a key initiative through which the club inspires, educates and mentors top young Polish talent on their way to gain the best education. The first edition started in 2009. In 2013 Harvard Club of Poland received the prestigious Harvard Alumni Association award for a leading global alumni club, with “Path To Harvard” being the key achievement. The 2019 edition set a new record of applicants. Over 1,500 talented people applied, mostly high school and university students. Their initial task was to write an essay. The second stage was in-person interviews. Some other alumni clubs replicated the program globally.

Harvard Club of Poland currently consists of over 170 members, including alumni of Harvard College and graduate schools, former scholars and students of executive programs, as well as current students at Harvard University.