Maksym Polianskyi

I am Maksym Polianskyi, though I usually go by Max, a 20-year-old senior international student at Ashland University, OH. I am double-majoring in International Political Studies and Communication. Fun fact: I'm from Odesa, Ukraine, a gorgeous city on the shores of Black Sea. When the full-scale invasion of my country began, my family and I volunteered back home for about a month, but after that, we decided to flee the country for an indefinite period of time (I was 16 when it happened). I was admitted to study in the U.S. on a full-ride scholarship, an opportunity I'll be forever grateful for.
At first, I did not plan on studying communication, but after a lengthy conversation with my advisor, she persuaded me to take a class in PR--and I loved it! I saw the potential in the field as well as creativity and freedom of thought, qualities I especially appreciate. Moreover, I joined my local PRSSA chapter, which was an excellent decision. For a while, I was an SMM chair, and then elected as president! My first ICON in California was UN-FOR-GET-TABLE!! I've met so many different professionals and have become friends with so many like-minded peers. Truly incredible.
Hobbies-wise, I love swimming and playing tennis. On top of that, I adore listening to my favorite music. I am an ambivert, which means that I love both to socialize and to stay alone, depending on my mental state. I am a traveler and explorer who has visited 25 countries and 20 states. I am a dog-person and a capybara-lover, even though I've never seen them in real life.