Exchange students from Ukraine share their U of T 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, CityNews reports.

Danylo Bohdanets, a political science student, and Mariia Cherednychenko, a biology student, are among the nearly 200 students from Ukraine who were welcomed by U of T 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 U of T 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. U of T is also accepting displaced students from Ukraine through its Scholars at Risk program.

“We are happy to assist our Ukrainian students in continuing their studies during this difficult time,” Hyojin Cho, learning abroad adviser and manager at U of T’s Centre for International Experience, told CityNews. “Many people within the U of T community, including professors, staff members and students have been pitching in to help. We hope the students feel supported within our U of T community.”

Watch the full report on CityNews