Elya was in her first year studying International Relations at Kyiv University, when she had to abandon her dreams. Six months into her studies, war broke out and normal life stopped overnight.

Originally from Kharkiv, she was with her parents in her hometown that fateful day – and knew there was no going back to Kyiv.

“It was devastating to be studying at Kyiv University – one of the top places to study in the Ukraine – and have it all taken away. I tried to stay positive. We have a saying in Ukraine, which translates roughly to ‘there wouldn’t be something good happening if something bad didn’t happen before’. I kept telling myself that.”

By March, Elya was staying with her sister who lived in Poland. She stayed there throughout the spring, just wanting to go back to her studies.

“My dream was to study in England, because my English is great and the opportunities are amazing. I quickly realised I couldn’t achieve this – we simply didn’t have the finances as a family.”

It was during this time that a host family got in touch with Elya, offering her a home in England, as part of the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Life began to improve for Elya. She moved to Bristol and applied to Warwick as part of its Sanctuary Scholarships programme. Throughout the period, she worked for Sky and NBC news as a translator.

“I worked in the NBC headquarters London, translating and generating subtitles of President Zelenskyy’s speeches. I couldn’t believe it. He’s my favourite man!”

Elya was delighted to be offered a Sanctuary Scholarship at Warwick and felt supported throughout the process. She is currently taking a one-year foundation programme and will then begin a three-year degree in Politics and International Studies. She had found a place which feels safe, settled and a sense of belonging.

“When I found out I was going to Warwick I was crying; my whole family was crying! Before that, I never felt at home. Being here, there and everywhere, travelling and not having my own room – I felt like a refugee. I was so happy to move onto campus. My flatmates are lovely and I don’t feel any different to anyone else.

“There’s a lot of awful things going on back in Ukraine but the supportive environment of Warwick helps with all of that. Though I’ve not had to use it, knowing there is always someone at the end of a phone through Nightline, or the fact there is a mental wellness hub, is very reassuring.

“A philosophy teacher was covering a war module and she even said to me I didn’t have to take those classes, or at the very least I could take breaks whenever I needed to in lessons. No one had ever been so nice to me in education before.”

Last Christmas, Elya travelled back to Ukraine to see her family. Nothing could prepare her for what she saw, and part of her wished she had stayed at Warwick.

“So much has changed since 24 February 2022 – Kharkiv is unrecognisable. I couldn’t believe that in the days leading up to the trip I had been complaining to my mum about meeting deadlines and other mundane worries, when here they were, sheltering in an underground station from shelling and bombs.

“The Russians had escalated their attacks over the festive period. There was very little left of the Ukraine I knew.”

Elya tries to look to the future now, rather than looking back. She counts herself as one of the lucky ones.

“My mum thinks I am special and have been selected on this course for a reason. She is so pleased. We still speak every day on the phone. I’ll never take for granted the opportunities Warwick has given me – especially when I think that so many people didn’t get this chance. I feel so privileged, living in a safe country, with friends who I love and who love me, studying at an incredible university.”

Elya received a sanctuary scholarship from Warwick and studies politics, and international studies. She is still being supported by her host family in Bristol, where she stays during University holidays.

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