From UCL to Estwantini....we caught up with Juan Stepanchuk, Treasurer of Engineers in Action, to find out more about how his time at UCL has been hugely fulfilling for making an impact on communities.
Shaping the world through engineering
I've always been passionate about volunteering and international development. After a summer placement in Mexico with UCL International Development and the NGO All Hands and Hearts, where I helped build a school for a community affected by the 2017 earthquake, my determination to support underserved communities grew stronger. Inspired by my experience, my friend Ina and I founded the Engineers In Action Society at UCL. This project has made me determined to become a civil engineer and participate actively in international development or pro-bono work.
Supporting the development of underserved communities
Engineers in Action is committed to changing lives, one project at a time by building essential infrastructure to communities across the globe. Our society participates in the bridge program, where this July, a footbridge will be built, in an underserved community in Aswatini. We'll deliver essential infrastructure to communities that have problems or issues accessing healthcare, education and other essential daily facilities that we take for granted.
Engineers in Action is committed to changing lives, one project at a time by building essential infrastructure to communities across the globe".
Empowering students to lead global change
One of our biggest highlights has been collaborating with Oregan State University and Western Ontario, as well as actually affiliated with the Students' Union. Having their support helped us to secure additional funding, and we managed to get a grant from UCL for £6,000 to actually participate in the bridge program project and be able to send UCL students to build with their own hands this summer. We've also led on a lot of fundraising to get to this point, organising engineering workshops, international development talks, bake sales, social events and more. It is so rewarding and interesting to work alongside so many different people that have brought innumerable ideas and proposals for the project and wanted to help along the way.
We managed to get a grant of £6,000 to actually participate in the bridge program project"
Making friends for life
I have met so many new people through Engineers in Action, and a lot of them from my course who I did not know before. We're all united with a combined ambition to make a difference. I really think participating in Engineers in action and all the other societies has really helped me to expand my network of people and also make great friendships. I hope we are friends for a long time. I feel like it's not only a matter of focussing on your degree, but also enjoying all the other parts of university. I would always encourage people to look around and see what other activites you can engage with outside of your degree.
