Yuliia had to leave her hometown Kyiv during her final year of Bachelor studies in Biology at the Ukraine’s leading higher education institution, Taras Shevchenko National University. The conflict suddenly abrupted her plans in finishing her Bachelor’s thesis and forced her to leave her home, family and friends behind. “I had always wanted to pursue my master’s degree abroad,” Yuliia recalls, “but I never imagined it would happen under such circumstances.” As the war escalated, she realized she could no longer continue her studies in Ukraine. Searching for opportunities in Europe, Yuliia discovered that Johannes Kepler University (JKU) in Linz, Austria, was offering support to Ukrainian students affected by the war. Despite the challenges of starting over in a new country with a new research topic, Yuliia seized the opportunity to complete her Bachelor’s thesis in Austria.
The transition was far from easy. “I had to start over in a new lab with a completely new topic, with only one month left before the deadline,” she explains. Yet, with the help of a supportive research group at JKU, Yuliia managed to finish her thesis on time. “Maybe because I was in a rush, my adaptation happened super quickly,” she reflects. Although it did not happen effortlessly and required asking countless questions, paying close attention, and pushing herself to excel.
Building a New Academic Path
Now Yuliia is a Master’s student in Molecular Biology at JKU, where she combines her studies with research work at the Institute of Biophysics. Her research focuses on ion channels in cell membranes, using advanced techniques like genetic code expansion. This cutting-edge work has the potential to uncover new insights into the mechanisms of ion channels and could eventually contribute to treatments for people with genetic disorders. “Molecular Biology combines knowledge from many fields, including chemistry and physics, and, in return, we get a crazy amount of insights into how the fundamental building blocks of life function and interact with each other.”, says Yuliia. Besides her studies and research, Yuliia brings science closer to the wider public by writing articles and conducting interviews with renowned scientists at the Ukraine’s leading science communication platform, Nauka.ua.
Support Measures by the Ernst Mach Grant Ukraine and MORE Initiative
Yuliia’s quick integration into Austrian education system would not be possible without the support of the Ernst Mach Grant Ukraine and MORE Programme at the JKU. Both initiatives plaid a crucial role in her life in supporting her basic financial needs, as well as building a new community in a foreign country. Financial support of the Ernst Mach Grant Ukraine, which is administered by the OeAD, gave Yuliia more time to integrate into new studying system and learn German language.
Through the MORE Initiative, Yuliia connected with a fellow refugee student, a PhD candidate from Syria, who had also received help from the programme years earlier. This connection provided not only psychological support but also a sense of continuity and hope. “She served as living proof that life goes on and your future is in your own hands,” Yuliia reflects.
Embracing New Opportunities
Yuliia’s proactivity does not stop on studies and research. Encouraged by a MORE Coordinator at the JKU Yuliia won a scholarship to attend one of the biggest and prestigious international conferences in Austria the European Forum Alpbach (EFA), where she represented Ukrainian youth and raised awareness about the ongoing war in her country. During the conference she met with representatives of different organizations, businesses and government, including Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. Besides her academic and extracurricular activities, Yuliia finds time to volunteer as a translator for Ukrainian refugee children at a summer camp.
“Before you get noticed, you have to show yourself first” is Yuliia’s advice to her fellow displaced students. Even though it is much harder for such students to get noticed and receive rewards, she recommends working hard and never give up as a hard work always pays off.
Planning for the Future
As Yuliia works on her Master thesis, she can already see her future in research and starting her PhD studies and contributing to improvement of people’s health and life as soon as possible. Besides her new life in Austria, she remains deeply connected to her Ukrainian roots. She believes in the importance of holding on to one’s goals and dreams, especially in the face of the unique challenges that come with being a refugee. “You can’t just leave everyone behind and start a new life abroad,” she says. “It’s important to remember where you are coming from and figure out ways to help your people from wherever you are.”
Further Information:
- Ernst Mach Grant Ukraine is a special scholarship programme of the BMBWF, which supports Ukrainian students in Austria since April 2022. Programme is expected to end in February 2025.
- MORE Initiative for displaced students is a university initiative of the UNIKO since 2014. JKU also offers support with MORE-Borealis-Scholarships and MORE Classic.
- OeAD Infopoint offers information on studies in Austria for Ukrainian Students.
- Oead4refugees is the information platform of the OeAD which offers an overview of educational opportunities and initiatives in higher education for refugees in Austria.