RSU as safe place and study opportunity for Ukrainian students
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many Ukrainian students have been forced to leave their homes in search of safety and the opportunity to continue their education abroad.
From the very first day of the war, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) has taken a firm stand in supporting Ukraine and its academic community.
Over the past three years, 18 guest lecturers from Ukraine have joined RSU, and currently, 39 Ukrainian students are studying at the University. To ensure they receive the necessary support, RSU offers tuition fee discounts and monthly scholarships to help cover daily expenses. Ukrainian students also have access to psychological support to ensure their emotional well-being. There are also discounts for accommodation in student hostels to provide safe and affordable place to live, as well as a 100% tuition fee discount for studies at the Open University, enabling students to continue their education even during the crisis.
Medical student from Kyiv wishes to return home with knowledge gained at RSU
When Russia’s war in Ukraine disrupted the lives of thousands of young people, medical student Oleksandr Serhiyiev from Kyiv was also forced to leave his homeland and seek for an opportunity to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor abroad.
He is now in his second year of studies at RSU, learning Latvian and trying to build a new life in a foreign country without losing touch with his home.
Photo: Courtesy of Oleksandr Serhiyiev
Oleksandr is from Kyiv, where he studied at Bogomolets National Medical University. When the war began, he had no plans to leave Ukraine. The young man’s goal was to continue his life and career in medicine at home. However, the situation changed after his father, who had volunteered to fight in the war, was killed. After his father’s death, living conditions in Kyiv became very difficult. Since his father had died in the war, Oleksandr was granted permission to leave the country. His mother encouraged him to continue his studies abroad, knowing that medicine was his chosen path.
While searching for suitable universities, Oleksandr received a recommendation from a friend who had previously studied in Latvia. His friend told him that RSU has a high reputation and that it hosts many international students.
So, Oleksandr travelled to Riga thinking he would just take a look around but ended up staying.
Over the past two years, he has experienced major changes - from confusion and loneliness to active involvement in student organisations and friendships with other Ukrainian and Latvian students.
He appreciates the quality of studies at RSU and the opportunities for clinical practice at the Riga East Clinical University Hospital and the Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital.
The young man has also worked at the Jūrmala Hospital. His daily life is enriched by cultural experiences outside his studies, such as playing the guitar and making music with friends, and visiting museums and exhibitions.
Oleksandr has not yet decided on a specific medical specialty, but he is interested in neurology, surgery, and oncology. He hopes to return to Ukraine in the future and apply the knowledge gained in Latvia, particularly the experience at the Medical Education Technology Centre, already shared with his Ukrainian colleagues.
The student emphasises the importance of financial and moral support for Ukrainian students, thanks to RSU scholarships and programmes that make it possible to continue their studies abroad.
While Oleksandr is still making his path in medicine, pharmacist Nina has been working in her profession in Ukraine for over 30 years. Her story is about adapting her experience to the Latvian situation in order to resume her professional career.
At RSU, pharmacist Nina from Dnipro acquires new knowledge and the specifics of work in Latvia
Nina Yakovleva, a pharmacist with over 30 years of experience, lived in Dnipro before the war. She graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Zaporizhzhia State Medical University, managed a pharmacy, and was highly respected in her profession. The war forced Nina to leave Ukraine with her daughter, and their journey eventually brought them to Riga.
RSU was recommended to Nina by the Pharmacists’ Society, as studies were required to validate her diploma and obtain the right to work in Latvia. The study process lasts two years. One year has already been completed, and now she is having a placement at Mēness aptieka, where she receives support and learns about the specifics of working in Latvia.
Photo: Courtesy of Nina Yakovleva
When the war began affecting Dnipro, many pharmacy’s staff members left the city, and Nina was often left alone, with half of the team away.
It was both physically and emotionally very difficult. Product deliveries stopped because gas stations had been bombed, and there was no transportation to ensure supply. People were afraid that famine would begin.
At some point, Nina and her daughter realised they had to leave.
She arranged a two-week leave from work, thinking they would be away from the country only briefly. However, more than three years have passed now, and her family still lives in Latvia.
Speaking about her life in Latvia, she says that 90% of her experience has been positive. People have been helpful, responsive, and understanding. She emphasises the importance of local support and the power of kind words.
Support for Ukrainian students must continue
The stories of Oleksandr and Nina reveal the significant role RSU plays in the lives of Ukrainian students and professionals in Latvia. It is not just about education - it is an opportunity to regain stability, develop, and maintain hope.
The support provided by the University and Latvian society serves as a bridge to a future where knowledge, experience, and humanity form the foundation for a new life, both here and in their homeland.
Russia’s devastating war in Ukraine continues, and efforts to stop it have been unsuccessful so far. The aggressor shows no intention of ending the war, and brutal attacks on civilians are a part of daily life in Ukraine. RSU calls for continued support and donations for Ukrainian students. Every donation turns into a tangible investment - a scholarship that helps students complete their chosen study programmes and become a qualified professional in medicine, social sciences, or other fields.
