"In the Room with the Enemy"

Igor Zharikov was a second-year student at one of the universities in Poland.

However, in April 2022, he was forced to withdraw documents from the university. 

“At the beginning of the school year, I was settled with a Ukrainian.

I literally had to get along with him.

He always tried to drag me into disputes, told jokes about Ukrainians and Russians in an understandable way, ”says Igor RT.

- In February, I went on vacation, and then a special operation began.

My acquaintances told me that my Ukrainian neighbor said that he would evict me in any way, because he could not live in the same room with the enemy.”

After returning to Poland after the holidays, Zharikov changed the hostel.

The student notes that there were no attacks from the university administration and teachers.

But, according to him, problems began with classmates.

“It just started some senseless insults.

From classmates with whom they used to calmly go to couples, do tasks together, projects with which they communicated, flirted, walked, messages “how are you, katsap?”, Accompanied by photographs with all sorts of gestures, came.

I completely ignored it,” says Zharikov.

Igor's parents, concerned about the situation, sent him the news that students who are disadvantaged abroad can continue their studies in Russia.

Zharikov sent letters to several universities.

As a result, the young man chose the Higher School of Economics and now continues his studies in the 2nd year already in Moscow.

“All my life I thought that Moscow is a terrible crowded place, but it turned out that it is very beautiful here.

I study on a budget, and all fellow students treat me with understanding, - says Zharikov.

“At HSE, the program is designed in such a way that I will be able to attend disciplines that I didn’t pass this year because I just started studying from September with other groups.”

"It was scary"

Polina Paliy from Kaliningrad also had to take documents from a Polish university because of the political situation that arose after the start of the special operation.  

“It was scary and uncomfortable.

You can see what is happening there,” Paly says.

- I came to Moscow and realized that I am comfortable here in every sense.

On March 9, I started my studies at PFUR.

The program is a little different, but these changes may be very welcome.”

According to Polina, classmates well received the newcomer.

They spend time together outside the university.

The teachers are also understanding.

“I try to actively participate in the life of the university.

Recently we had an athletics competition in which I took part.

Of the subjects, I liked the philosophy and style of the Russian language the most,” Paly shared.

- I do not count on concessions at the session, otherwise it will be dishonest in relation to other students.

I have already studied all the missing material.

I’m excited because the session in Poland was held online and there is a different delivery of work.”

"There was no doubt about the choice"

Vladimir Yashin studied hotel business in the Czech Republic before the special operation.

During the coronavirus pandemic, when universities switched to distance learning, he left for Russia.

It was not possible to return to Europe - after the start of the special operation, his study visa was refused to be extended.

Now Yashin is studying in St. Petersburg.

“I chose St. Petersburg Polytechnic University to continue my studies, I didn’t change my specialty - I also study hotel business.

Some of the disciplines previously passed in Prague were credited to me.

However, now I am studying many new subjects that were not in my foreign schedule, - says Yashin.

- The most difficult thing is with higher mathematics, because at school this subject was only at the initial level, and in the Czech Republic there was no such subject at all.

The Polytechnic University impresses with its scale and serious approach to education.”  

Nikita Voytyuk also entered SPbPU.

Prior to that, he studied at the Polish Academy of Finance and Business Vistula with a degree in finance and accounting.

“I returned from Warsaw in the spring and applied for a transfer to several Russian universities.

There were no doubts about the choice: the reputation of the university speaks for itself.

From my second year in Poland, I switched to my first year in St. Petersburg, studying economics.

Many disciplines were re-credited to me.

Now I study fundamental disciplines at the Polytechnic University, the workload is much more serious than before.

I think that after choosing a specialization, I will again choose a specialization in finance and accounting, and a good basic education will come in handy, ”says Voytyuk.

“I care a lot about my classmates”

Also, students from the DPR came to Russia to continue their studies in a peaceful environment.

17-year-old Danil Masufranov arrived in Stavropol from Donetsk.

According to him, because of the military situation, it was almost impossible to study, so in March the young man left for Russia.

“I wanted to enter Russia from the very beginning, but then it was more difficult.

I left for Stavropol on the twentieth of March.

I live with relatives who help me in everything,” says Masufranov.

— Entered the North Caucasian Federal University on a budget for the same specialty — translation and translation studies.

I was told that this was due to my certificate and a well-closed session in Donetsk.”

According to the student, there are about 6 new subjects that he has already begun to study.

“We need to tighten everything up now.

Parents stayed in Donetsk and work.

My job is to study well.

But, I think that teachers will still meet halfway, ”says Masufranov.

According to him, several more of his former classmates are going to continue their studies in Russia next year.

“I am very worried about my classmates.

Because of the remote control, they have now gone home.

One of them is now in Shakhtyorsk.

There have been a lot of recent arrivals.

I was very worried about him,” says the student.

— Parents live in a relatively quiet area of ​​Donetsk.

For these 8 years, this has touched us minimally.

But when mom sends photos of what and where exploded, it becomes creepy.

I hope this gets resolved soon."