Melania Gill

In 2024, Melania graduated from the Lycée Français de New York (LFNY), a Franco-American school, where she obtained her Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) with specializations in Economics and Geopolitics. That fall, she began her studies at The Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University.

Growing up in an environment that placed diversity of languages and culture at the forefront, she learned the importance of exposure to more than one language early on. Having no French-speaking family, she faced challenges in grasping the language during her elementary school years, where most of the coursework was in French. Over time, she adapted and became fluent, developing a deep appreciation for the nuances of the language. Her own experience of overcoming language barriers inspired her to help others facing similar challenges.

This is why, in October of 2022, she began volunteering for SET with students in Guatemala. However, she knew she wanted to take it further. She found and contacted the head of English at a high school in Ukraine and, by February of 2023, successfully integrated the school into the SET program.

Melania believes that language and words unlock doors, stretch our capabilities, and make the world a smaller, kinder place: it’s our way of expressing ourselves and making our mark on the world. Although she has passed the leadership of the LFNY SET branch to high school seniors at her school, she continues to be involved as a SET Student Advisor to the Board, ensuring that the program continues to thrive and make a positive impact.