I think each of us has wondered at least once: what is it like to study abroad? Is it as exciting as it is portrayed in typical American films? How does it differ from our experience? Is it easy to make friends there?
I was also interested in learning more about the student and school years of Ukrainian women abroad. After all, it is not only interesting but also relevant for those who, like me, have asked themselves similar questions.
The first to share her experience was Daria Akopian, a first-year student at the Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Management, and Geotechnology, specializing in geotourism.
“I always wanted to study abroad, I was attracted by the opportunities that a European diploma offers.
Daria chose the country based on the principle of ‘not too far from Ukraine’. In addition, her sister already lives and studies in Slovakia, which played a significant role in the student’s choice.
Initially, she chose another university that offered the best conditions for studying cynology, where she could even bring her dog. However, due to the large number of applicants, Daria was not accepted there. Therefore, she had to choose geotourism at the Technical University in Košice, as it is one of the easiest majors in Slovakia.
The girl studied Slovak for three years, but even she had a hard time in the first month because of the language barrier. The good news is that the culture in Slovakia is almost the same as in Ukraine. However, Daria admitted that their national soup, kapustnica, did not win her heart.
The student then talked about her studies:
— In such a short period of time, I haven’t found any subjects that I’m particularly passionate about. By the way, the education here is almost identical to that in Ukraine. But one interesting thing I can tell you is that our university has programs that allow students to travel, for example, to spend a year in France or other countries. To do this, you need to know the language of the chosen country at least at the B1 level, and this opportunity is only available after the second year and not in all departments.
In her free time, Daria reads books or plays computer games. Of course, there are days when she does something outside the dormitory, such as walking in the city center with friends.
“It was easy to find new friends because there are many Ukrainians at the university where I study, and they are all open to communication. The dormitory has also become my ‘little home’, where I have met many wonderful people who have become my family over the past month.
At the end, she advised those who want to study abroad to learn the language and not be afraid to move. Because there will always be people who are happy to help. It will be difficult at first, but it’s worth it.
Next, Alisa Sakhno, a 12th grader at River East Collegiate in Winnipeg, talked about her studies.
— I’m still in school, so I chose an educational institution based on my place of residence. Why Canada? Because I like this country, and it was quite easy to get a visa here.
Alisa decided to study abroad not just because, but because Ukrainian university diplomas are not recognized outside Ukraine. This is good for those who plan to live and work at home, but it does not allow for flexibility in changing places of residence. So, the girl chose the option that gives her more opportunities. However, she faced difficulties right from the start, particularly with communication. Canada has a completely different culture of life and friendship, so it took her a long time to adapt to her new surroundings.
When asked about studying in Canada, Alisa replied that high school here offers much more freedom: you can choose your own subjects, schedule, and even leave school during lunch.
“We can go or drive wherever we want for lunch — I really like that, especially after having to literally run away from school in Ukraine in 10th grade to buy something to eat.
The girl’s favorite subject right now is “Food and Nutrition,” where they cook and learn about the specifics of working in the food industry. The school also offers many different sports, the most popular of which is, of course, hockey, both among boys and girls. Alisa is still figuring out the clubs, as there are so many of them, but she has already joined the school council, where she helps organize events throughout the year.
As mentioned earlier, the schoolgirl lives in Winnipeg, a city said to be the most crime-ridden and depressing in Canada. But for Alice, these rumors have not yet been confirmed. Of course, the city has its problems, but every city does. So walking around the city with friends remains a part of her life.
“School has just started, and I don’t have many friends yet, but it’s not difficult to make them. You just need to be friendly to people who are friendly to you.”
In her free time, the girl watches TV series, does her schoolwork, and tries not to lose touch with friends who live on other continents.
Alisa also shared that she hopes to enter university and complete her studies without any turbulence. Only time will tell what happens next. Five years is a long time, and her life after that will depend on what the world is like at that moment. Our times are very unstable, so it is difficult to predict anything.
And finally, the girl said these words:
Studying abroad can be a very valuable experience, but at the same time extremely challenging. Before leaving for your chosen country, it is worth pausing to think carefully about whether this is really what you need for your future, your development, and where you see yourself in a few years. After all, this choice is not right for everyone. Don’t chase the most popular options just because others do. What seems best for most people may not necessarily be right for you. Think about your own goals, work on yourself, and create a better future for yourself. Sometimes what is close at hand may turn out to be the most valuable and important thing for you.
