Ukrainian Students in the EU - Showing your support can mean more than you think

Utolsó frissítés csütörtök, 21/12/2023

Discover the captivating story of Kostya, a Ukrainian studying in the European Union after the war escalated in Ukraine in 2022. Kostya just graduated with a master's degree in Information Technology Law from the University of Tartu and his unwavering determination propels him towards an even loftier goal – a Ph.D. in Europe.

The story of Kostya

Kostya left Ukraine in 2022 to continue his studies in the European Union. He chose Estonia because he was interested in the country and the programme he wanted was available there. “I had watched movies and read articles about Estonia and always dreamt about visiting,” he said. 

Kostya has not been home since he left. “I haven’t been back home because I don’t think it’s safe anywhere in Ukraine right now,” explained Kostya who is currently living in Germany. He said that he has heard about his friends in Ukraine whose apartments have been destroyed by Russian missiles. 

“I’m reading every day about Russian missiles landing on people’s homes. It’s really sad because these are all places I've been to.”

Not many of his friends decided to leave Ukraine. “Most of my loved ones have been displaced inside of Ukraine so they didn’t have to leave the country,” he said. That is why he’s updated about everything that’s going on in Ukraine. One thing that astonishes Kostya the most is that people from completely different parts of Ukraine have similar horrors happening to them. “There are thousands of kilometres between them, but they are still suffering to almost the same degree either in Lviv (Western Ukraine) or in Sumy (Eastern Ukraine but not in the frontlines)”. 

Kostya has been in Europe for a year now and he has had no problems with getting by in a foreign country. He has managed to speak with young people in English. Right now, while he is living in Germany, he also uses German which he had studied in Ukraine. 

“I’ve never seen such a high level of support before.”

When Kostya arrived in Estonia, he was amazed by the support he got from the Estonian state and people. “Support was very important for me when I first arrived and not only financial support but also the expression of support towards Ukraine,” he added. “For example, every public transport bus in Tartu had two flags attached to the front: one Estonian and second Ukrainian.” He said that it might seem like a small detail but for him it was significant. “This demonstrates to me that I’m not alone here and it is vital especially when one has just become a refugee,” he explained.  

“Support Ukraine in its war against Russia”

When asked, how can young people in Europe help Ukrainians here, Kostya stressed that it’s important to support Ukraine in general. “It’s completely unfair that so many young people in Ukraine are suffering or dying every day,” he said. This is why he is certain that people in Europe should support Ukraine financially, and military aid can’t be forgotten either. 

When meeting a Ukrainian in Europe the best way to help would be to demonstrate your support for Ukraine. Kostya explains that it’s almost impossible to imagine what young Ukrainians are going through every day. “They always think about their loved ones in Ukraine because a Russian missile could fall on their house and kill or injure them every single day,” he explained. Kostya also points out that Ukrainians abroad still see the people they know suffering in Ukraine, and the war crimes committed in cities they’ve lived in.

Lastly, Kostya says that it is important to pay personal attention to Ukrainians in Europe and listen to what they have to say. “When there’s no Ukrainian community in the country it is very easy to feel disconnected from the world,” he concluded. 

Kostya’s story is a pure example of how collective effort and support from society can help individuals overcome almost everything. He is a true inspiration to every student fighting for their dreams all around the world.

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Meet the authors

Katariina Järve 

I’m Katariina, journalism student from the University of Tartu in Estonia. I have already tried out television, radio, newspaper and even sports journalism. For as long as I can remember I have always been volunteering for youth rights. Even right now I am working on defending the rights of the students on Estonian and European levels. I am curious about many things but I am most passionate about education, sports, travelling, politics and human rights.
 

This article reflects the views of the authors only. The European Commission cannot be held responsible for it.