Dr Bo Kelestyn

Associate Professor, Warwick Business School

“When I decided that I wanted to study in the UK, my father was against it.”

“Being the eldest of five children, I was expected to take over the family business. I had to make my case to leave not only home, but my country, to make something of myself that was my own. Eventually, after a lot of persuasion, he was happy to support me. That was 18 years ago.

Arriving in the UK there were a lot of new things to get used to. You have different food, accents, sockets and even taps for a start. That was a lot to take in for an 18-year-old. And everyone was so polite and queue everywhere!

Ukrainian school qualifications don’t convert into the UK system, so I had to do my A-levels at a boarding school. I was already two years older than most pupils! Once I’d got them, I went onto university. I got 5 A-levels but did not get an offer from Warwick! After graduation, I returned home for a short while. My parents realised that I’d changed quite a lot, I was probably more British than Ukrainian at that time, so they allowed me to return to the UK to do my Master’s at Warwick. I’ve been here ever since and am now a Course Director for the MSc I graduated from.

Obviously, I can’t not mention the ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the impact that it’s had on me, my family, and friends. I wanted to do something to support my country and the best way I could was through education. I set up a programme to help Ukraine rebuild its education, with support from many colleagues and the Ukrainian Leadership Academy. We had over 250 people express an interest and 40 have now completed the programme, and it continues to grow. I couldn’t be prouder of everyone who has supported or been involved. We got a Warwick Wows award as well which was a nice recognition.

I feel a strong sense of duty to represent Ukraine in everything I do, even if just wearing a lapel ribbon with Ukrainian colours or a Vyshyvanka, a traditional embroidered shirt. I lost my father halfway through my PhD. He was such a patriot. I’d like to think he would be proud of the educational leader and Ukrainian that I have become."