Ukrainian students settle into university life at Western’s Ivey Business School
For six Ukrainian students, a peaceful classroom at Western University is a world away from the war in their home country.
“I feel safe here,” said Sofiia Shulga, 21, who is in London, Ont. as part of an exchange.
The six are all enrolled at Western’s Ivey Business School MBA program.
“Everyday we have air alarms in Kyiv and my family's in Kyiv, and that is kind of scary for me,” said Shulga, who phones her mother every day. “She said she loved me. She hoped that I'm okay.”
Six Ukrainian students — five women and one man — were welcomed to Ivey on May 13 with a variety of orientation activities to prepare them to join the MBA program on exchange so they can receive credits for their home institutions.
Anastasiia Nesterenko, Sofiia Shulga, Ulyana Kulchytska, Oksana Kosendiak, Yehor (Egor) Zavortniak, Maksym Savchyn and Alina Byshynska. (Source: Western Ivey Business School)Alina Byshynska and her six-year-old son Yehor (Egor) Zavortniak had to flee with her husband remaining in Ukraine.
All six of them say they are lucky to have their tuition fees waived by the university, as they would never have been able to afford an MBA program.
“We just thought it would be really important to take our role as global citizens and support other students and academics in Ukraine,” said Adam Fremeth, the Ivey MBA director.
The university is raising money through the Academic Shelter Fund to help with additional expenses. The Academic Shelter Fund aims to raise $350,000 to support the Ukrainian exchange students and other students fleeing conflict in the future.
“It is aimed at providing tuition support, housing and anything else they may need,” said Fremeth.
Ulyana Kylchytska was forced to separate her family during the war. Her husband remains working in Lviv, Ukraine, and her children are staying with friends in Switzerland.
Six Ukrainian Students take in an orientation class at Western University’s Ivey Business School MBA Program on May 17, 2022. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV News London)The 45-year-old with human resources experience hopes to return with leadership skills.
“So I will take back knowledge how to build people relations based on values,” says Kylchytska. “To me, this war, it's about values. So I think it will support a lot of things in Ukraine.”
Shulga was a marketing student in Kyiv, specializing in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG).
“I'm looking for FMCG market in our country,” says Shulga. “We tend to focus on the agriculture FMCG market and I want to work to help people eat properly, help people find their healthy way, and to find their love and passion in food.”
The six students will soon be joined by five others and will stay in London until the MBA program finishes in March 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.