Refugees from Ukraine after the Russian occupation are welcomed all over the world with open arms. But that doesn’t apply to everyone: the majority of the nearly 20,000 African students studying in Ukraine faced racism and discrimination while fleeing.
They were pushed around, verbally abused and verbally abused at train stations and border crossings. A year later, the situation did not improve much. “It feels like we’re not wanted anywhere and we can’t get on with our lives,” says Korrine Sky, a Zimbabwean medical student.
A year ago, she reported her flight on social media. He and thousands of others shared their stories using the hashtag #AfricansinUkraine. From England, where he lands, Sky is the spider in this group’s web. It gives information, communication and an open ear to patient friends.
It is not possible for him to continue his education: “The tuition fees here are five times higher than in Ukraine, I cannot afford it.” Therefore, it focuses entirely on helping African students. “There is no one else affiliated with this group, so I see it as my duty.”
According to the Ukrainian government, 76,000 foreign students were studying in the country when the war started. A quarter of them come from African countries, mainly Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco. Meanwhile, almost all of them dropped out of school and many had to drop out of their education.
“Ukraine is seen as Valhalla for students looking for an affordable education in Europe,” says Jessica Orakpo, a Nigerian from Weesp, where she lives with a host family. “The costs are low, getting a visa is relatively easy, the education is good, and we are taught in English.”
Last year, African students came in droves. According to data collected by Sky, the largest group still lives in Europe, including Poland, Ireland, Austria and the Netherlands. Some returned to Ukraine to finish their education there. But many have returned to their homeland. “It’s a painful decision because they’ve saved up for years to study abroad and coming home empty-handed feels like a failure.”
After the occupation, the European Union introduced the Temporary Protection Directive (RTB) for the first time in history. This gives refugees from Ukraine the right to housing, medical care, work and education. However, the situation is slightly different for refugees without a Ukrainian passport.
“The level of protection varies from country to country,” says Carolus Grütters, a researcher at Radboud University’s Center for Immigration Law in Nijmegen. “They get the same treatment as IDPs in one country, but in another their original country of origin is still taken into account. If this is deemed ‘safe’ they can be sent back.”
Students also face all sorts of problems to continue their education, such as higher tuition fees, high cost of living and scholarships available only to Ukrainian students. African students do not meet admission requirements, do not have the right documents, or their degrees are not recognized. It is not usually possible to continue your education at another university.
The system of displaced ‘third country nationals’ in the Netherlands has recently changed. While Ukrainians have a special right of residence until March 2024, this group will soon enter the normal asylum procedure. According to Grütters, changing this regulation is illegal. “The Netherlands should treat all refugees from Ukraine equally. But now they’re coming back from there with significant consequences for this group.”
Orakpo lives these results every day. She was able to do her final medical exam online, graduated via Zoom, and is now officially a doctor. However, despite the shortage of personnel in the health sector and many applications, he could not find a job in the Netherlands yet. “It’s so stressful, it keeps me awake,” she says. If he fails to do so by September, he must notify Ter Apel to register as an asylum seeker.
“I don’t want that at all,” says Orakpo. “Then I return to Ukraine, albeit dangerously. From there I can at least legally apply for a visa. I will not give up my dream of becoming a doctor in Europe or America.”
right to a future
UK-based Korrine Sky continues to work for African students. The petition for equal treatment of universities was signed 135 thousand times. “We also have the right to education, the right to a future.”
Last year, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, student Gabriel shared his story:
Source: NOS
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
