College freshmen have a lot on their plate and on their minds as they begin their post-secondary education. But one student at the University of Arizona is facing an even more existential crisis, thousands of miles away from her war-torn homeland.
Typical freshman concerns include challenging class loads, familiarizing themselves with strangers, finding their way in a new environment – and homesickness.
But 18-year-old Yuliia Vyskrebenets has bigger worries as she begins her college career in Tucson, where she's studying philosophy, politics, economics and law.
"It’s really hard because like Russians are bombing our country, really heavily," Vyskrebenets said.
Vyskrebenets is from Mykoliav, a city in southern Ukraine which is perilously close to the front lines of battle and has endured attacks since the invasion began.
“Russians are in the neighborhood. They are like, in Kherson, so it’s like really close to us. And my town: So in 2022 when I was in Ukraine, my town was heavily bombed, like they bombed us everyday," Vyskrebenets said.
Her family’s safety – more than 6,000 miles away – is constantly on her mind.
“When I wake up here, I always read (the) news. And when I see my town, or the town where my brother lives, I’m getting really upset," she said.
”But while being homesick and worried about family, Vyskrebenets, who got a scholarship to UA, is grateful for the opportunity to come to Tucson and begin a new life.
“I’m just blessed by God 'cause other people don’t have these opportunities, like me, so I’m really grateful. But yeah, I just want to go home, as soon as possible. I really miss my family," Vyskrebenets said.
She will get to go home for winter break. But in the long run, Vyskrebenets isn’t sure about a permanent return to her homeland.
“I’m not sure that I will come back to Ukraine 'cause I’m sure there will be consequences after war, so if I don’t get my visa, my work visa right, I will go to Europe," she said.
In the meantime, as a stranger in a strange desert land, she’s been met mostly with open arms in Arizona.
“So of course there are some exceptions right, like in every culture. But people here are always helpful, nice and kind. If I have any question, they will answer it," she said.
As for how and when the war in her home country ends, that’s where politics comes in along with a new U.S. administration, which may not be as friendly to the war effort.
"Ukrainians believe that Trump will end the war," she said.
Not everyone thinks that ending will be good for Ukraine, however.
Yeah. (But) honest for Ukrainian side. But like honestly, we are so done with it. This war is for politicians, not for people, and civilians are just suffering," Vyskrebenets said.
And so with that in mind, even while going to school here, she says Ukraine shouldn’t rely on the U.S. to continue to fund their war effort.
“They shouldn’t. Because it feels like now we are just alone in this world, right? Some countries help us, and the United States helps us and we’re really grateful, but like it would be better if it will just stop. We don’t need this money, we just need to live in peace."
