While student protests have flooded Harvard Yard in support of Ukraine over the past few weeks, Sebastian Mandell ’24 decided to take action on the Ukrainian border. Leaving his academics behind in Cambridge, Mandell relocated to assist in medical combat training for the Ukrainian forces. In an attempt to familiarize himself with the local culture, he volunteered to work for Global Surgical Medical Support Group (GSMSG), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to training host nations in combat medicine and providing vital medical supplies and support.
Within the first four days of the Russian invasion of Kyiv, Mandell knew he must get to the frontlines. “I was up all night tracking news reports, and had completely lost all focus,” he said. “It became clear that if I didn’t do something I’d regret it for the rest of my life.” Though this is his first time working with GSMSG, Mandell has nearly a decade of experience working as a combat medic in the United States Army.
“The veteran community is uniquely poised for this situation… [we] have that unique window into healthcare that’s specifically related to trauma due to combat, as well as working with foreign governments and populations,” Mandell said.
Mandell praises Ukraine’s national unity. “One thing that is remarkably different is the social political climate,” he said. “In many other countries, there’s often been a very decentralized and competitive political hierarchy where the government isn’t functional and there’s incredible amounts of corruption and competing power struggles. Here in Ukraine, the general population, military, and government are visibly united and functioning against all odds together.”
Working in hospitals, repurposed classrooms or community centers, and sometimes even on the field, Mandell has found that “each day has a new curve ball. The only certainty I’ve found is that whatever was expected the night before would be very different the next morning when I woke up…We’ve worked with civilians, military, volunteers, and government officials,” said Mandell.
Mandell shared a message to Americans at home who want to aid those suffering abroad. “I think my biggest message to the US and Harvard is: find ways to be of good service,” he said. “Many people want to be leaders, but they don’t realize how the only good leaders are people who listen to others and use their power to serve the people beneath them. If you can’t detach from your own illusions of grandeur, you can’t listen without being defensive. And if you can’t listen, you’re not a leader. You’re just the asshole at the top of the hill.”
We hope for the safe return of volunteers like Mandell, who disrupted their lives in order to serve others an ocean away. We pray for Ukranians as they aim to rebuild their lives amid constant violence and fight for their freedom and sovereignty from Russia.
Sebastian Mandell ’24 comped the Independent this spring.
Hannah Frazer ’25 (hannahfrazer@college.harvard.edu) stands with Ukraine.