«When I heard gunshots and air raids I realised that it was the beginning of the war»

At the beginning of the war, the number of foreign students at Sumy State University reached about 1,700. All of them turned out at the epicenter of events and experienced the same thing as every Ukrainian citizen. Will they continue their studies at SumDU after the war?

The heroine of our interview is Mabel, the student from Nigeria who studied for a Master's degree in medicine. She received a Bachelor's degree and came back to receive a Master's degree. At SumDU, Mabel faced with the Coronavirus pandemic, and, now, the war. She told us how she waited for the evacuation, how she left, and whether she plans to come back to Sumy after the war.

Mabel, a few years ago you graduated from SumDU with a Bachelor's degree and came back to get a Master's degree. What advantages of the university helped you to choose us?

Sumy State University helped me to become independent, hardworking and self driven woman as I am today. I didn't think twice about coming back to SumDU for a Masters degree due to the fantastic foundation I had during my Bachelor days.

How was training at SumDU during the Covid pandemic? Did you feel that the university worked well?

Studying at SumDU during Covid pandemic was nothing to be worried about. The University had taken drastic measures to ensure the safety of all students. All classes were conducted online and the whole process was stress free.

How did you find out about Russia's attack of Ukraine? What were your thoughts?

When I heard about the first attack in Kiev, I had my doubts that Russia was going to invade Sumy. I still felt very safe at the time. I even had classes on that day and everything seemed normal. However, when I started hearing gunshots and air raids I realised that the war had started.

Did you support each other inside the Nigerian community? What did you do together during the war?

Oh yes, we did support ourselves. I remember the Student Union shared supplies (e.g. foodstuffs, snacks, and water) for everyone which was a very nice thing to do.

Did you have household difficulties due to the war? How did you overcome them?

I didn't really experience household difficulties during the war. I remember one time I lacked supplies and addressed to Dr. Tetiana Mayboroda and she made sure the University provided some at the end of the day.

Did the university help you and your friends during the war? Has anyone talked to you?

Yes of course, I felt loved and protected during the war. All my lectureres reached out to me, even my study agent Dr. Sergie came with supplies for all student. The University also provided food supplies for all students on the daily basis which was very thoughtful and generous of them.

How did you find out about the evacuation? Did you have any doubts about it?

We had an international student forum on Telegram that was created by SumDU to pass on vital information to all students. I found out about the evacuation on the forum. I never had my doubts about it and patiently was waiting for the evacuation.

How was the evacuation process organized?

The evacuation was organised in an orderly manner. Throughout the entire trip I felt safe and also loved because provisions like snacks/tea/coffee/soup were given at stops.

What did you feel when you reached safe place?

Well, I felt different. I missed my home (Sumy). I wasn't over the moon exicted about entering a different сountry. I just felt myself safe with my parents, and that was what they wanted.

Are you going on your way alone, or with one of the students of SumDU?

Presently, I have a family friend and also a friend to my family friend (both are from SumDU) staying with me. So, all of us hope for the best.

Would you like to continue your studies at SumDU?

Definitely, I will finish my studies at SumDU, I started at Sumdu and I will finish at SumDU.

Is there anything you miss about Sumy? May be you feel lack of something important?

Oh yes!!! I miss the quietness, the affordable cost of living, my teachers. I miss my home Sumy.

What would you like to wish SumDU and Ukraine especially?

I want to wish Ukraine success and greater achievements in the future. One thing I believe in life is that everything happens for a reason. I beleive that Ukraine will come out stronger, bigger and very prosperous.