Evgenia Sirotenko

Kaluga, Russia
Business Administration with a minor in German Language

Finding a sense of community, familiarity and family while away from home is important to any student, but especially important when your home is across the ocean. Evgenia Sirotenko came to Trent in 2006 as an international student from Kaluga, Russia to study Business Administration and German Language. Since arriving, she has been heavily involved in the international student community, helping to foster that important sense of home for other students from around the world.

The Trent International Students Association (TISA), Cultural Outreach, Trent Latin Swing Dance Club and the Trent University Investment Society are just a few of the many clubs and groups Evgenia was involved with during her time at Trent. She has also taught swing dance classes, organized the Trent International Program (TIP) Awards night and banquet and volunteered with Canada Revenue Agency and Community Volunteer Income Tax Program where, for the past three years, she prepared income tax returns for international students.

In describing herself, Evgenia says, “I am very energetic. When I do something I give it 100 per cent effort. I am passionate about what I do and do things I am passionate about.” She lists dance, especially ballet, and accounting as her greatest passions and hopes to fulfill her dream of becoming a forensic auditor by completing a Masters degree and a special accreditation program.

Coming to the final decision to study abroad at Trent took careful consideration and consultation with her family, but Trent’s strong international presence helped Evgenia make her choice.

“Trent is extensively profiled in education magazines in Russia; it felt as though I’d already been here. I liked the idea of a close knit academic community, and Trent offered generous financial aid,” she says, referring to the TIP scholarship. Evgenia was also the recipient of the McCall Turner Chartered Accountants Award, the Traill College Award and a Trent University Entrance Scholarship.

Reflecting on her time at Trent, Evgenia says she values the friendships she made here and quality of the education she obtained. “Trent will always occupy a special place in my heart,” she says. “I appreciate how professors have challenged and motivated me to learn. Without the support and lessons from friends and faculty my experience would not have been the same.”