University welcomes students from Ukraine
THE University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has welcomed students from Ukraine to its Lampeter campus.
Anastasiia Patiuk and Valeriia Piven both received a scholarship from UWTSD that enables students from Ukraine to study the postgraduate award in Global Citizenship and Sustainable Leadership.
They travelled from Kyiv to Lampeter in October and have been overwhelmed by the support and the welcome that they have received.
Valeriia said: “We cannot thank the university enough for their support during this hard time, and also to the people of Lampeter.
“This scholarship has given us the chance to help to rebuild the future of Ukraine when we can return home.”
Valeriia added: “Everyone has been so friendly and helpful. When we first arrived on campus, we were introduced to the different support channels that the university offered from student support to financial and wellbeing support.
“The UWTSD international team welcomed us with an open heart and smile and provided us with a welcome pack which contained kitchen supplies and items that made us feel totally overwhelmed. We think of them as our fairy godmothers!”
When Anastasiia first arrived at Lampeter she said she instantly felt at home.
She said: “I am originally from Olevsk, a small town in the Zhytomyz region in Ukraine that is very similar to Lampeter.” For Valeriia, she said Lampeter was “a refreshing location and somewhere where you instantly feel comfortable and a part of the community”.
The scholarship that both have received involves studying an interdisciplinary programme providing a unique learning experience to develop global citizens and leaders of tomorrow.
The programme is based around the UN sustainability goals and complements the university’s work with Unesco.
The course covers a wide range of topics including immigration, global justice, labour rights, leadership and dealing with cultural differences.
Kath Griffiths, UWTSD’S international regional manager, said: “Student scholarships and bursaries make it possible for students who might not be able to otherwise to attend university.
“We strive to be a haven for the students who are displaced, offering a refuge in Wales. We are delighted that the students feel settled and at home in Lampeter.”
Although both students are enjoying their time at Lampeter, Ukraine still means everything to them.
Every day they watch the daily message given by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy together via social media, and often feel emotional thinking about their families at home, but at the same time know that they are making their families proud.
Anastasiia said: “My family is happy that I have had this opportunity to further my studies in a safe environment and at such a wonderful place. I have so much to tell them when we contact each other. “It is really hard being away from home, and not being able to see them and my boyfriend. I do hope that things will change before long.” Valeriia said: “My mother studied at Bailbrook College in Bath many years ago and she fell in love with the UK, and her dream was for me to come and study here too. “So, I am reliving my mother’s dream, and making the family proud by pursuing this opportunity. We are so grateful.” Anastasiia and Valeriia will study at Lampeter for the next two years but are looking forward to returning to Ukraine after graduating. Anastasiia said: “I will return to Ukraine, and I would like to work in a government organisation so that I can tackle issues and make the world a better place. “Hopefully I can take what I’ve learned from Lampeter back to Ukraine and influence the workplace.”
Valeriia worked as a PR manager for the analytical centre at the Ukrainian Institute for the Future before arriving at Lampeter, and said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me to improve myself.
“After widening my circles of study, I will continue to work within analytics or in international relations. I would like to work in the field of global problems and communities.”