And when I finally succeeded in escaping my hometown, I became crudely aware of my origin. “I am from Pune,’’ is a line I will be repeating until one day I give up, seeing people’s confusion and just say Mumbai. It’s easier — geographic simplifications never hurt anyone.
Each mentee will meet their mentor for at least three meetings spaced evenly throughout the term to discuss obstacles, questions, seek assistance and build an organic connection.
The fourth-year political science student isn’t just taking classes and planning for graduation. As a national correspondent for The Kyiv Independent, Lapatina has been reporting on the Russo-Ukrainian war since Russia invaded Ukraine this past February.