Exchange students from Ukraine share their Թϱ experience with CityNews
Two Ukrainian exchange students at the University of Toronto say they are thankful to escape the war with Russia and continue their studies in Canada, .
Danylo Bohdanets, a political science student, and Mariia Cherednychenko, a biology student, are among the nearly 200 students from Ukraine who were welcomed by Թϱ because their studies were disrupted by the ongoing war. Both are in the Faculty of Arts & Science.
“My father is [in Ukraine] and I am scared for his life, and I don’t want him to be scared for my life,” said Bohdanets. “He is doing everything possible – he is fighting in Ukraine, he is defending my country.”
“The only feeling I remember straight away is constant fear,” said Cherednychenko of the war. She came to Թϱ through a special exchange program between the Faculty of Arts & Science and the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy that was made possible by a $3.2 million donation by the Temerty Foundation. Թϱ is also accepting displaced students from Ukraine through its .
“We are happy to assist our Ukrainian students in continuing their studies during this difficult time,” Hyojin Cho, learning abroad adviser and manager at Թϱ’s Centre for International Experience, told CityNews. “Many people within the Թϱ community, including professors, staff members and students have been pitching in to help. We hope the students feel supported within our Թϱ community.”