The Red Square by Elisaveta Semasheva
Moving to a new country is stressful. Making new friends is stressful. Learning a new language and culture, having to figure out how to pay bills, apply for internships, go to food shops and figuring out maintenance issues on your own, living on your own, after 18 years of having your parents to fall back on in case of failure is stressful. But what makes it about 10 times worse, is doing it on your own. In a completely unfamiliar city, while your home country is at war. There aren’t many, but still some Russian and Ukrainian students attending Newcastle University. At least those lucky enough to get the opportunity to leave their collapsing countries and have a promising future outside of them. However even after they move away from the often cold and stressful environment of those two countries, the slavic students still experience difficulty, unfair treatment, and overall stress of having to deal with being defined by their nationality, without their families anywhere near them, to help them feel a little bit more at home.
“Honestly, most people I’ve met in Newcastle have been so welcoming and supportive of me when I told them where I was from, and I really appreciate it, but I do notice a little bit that they feel bad for me. I know nobody means it in a bad way, but once when I tell people where I’m from, I’d like for them not to look at me like I’m a sick puppy.” – Boris, Ukraine
“I never feel ashamed to tell people that I’m Russian, I’m proud of my country and of my heritage, even though I completely despite its current government and actions, and most people have been very nice when hearing about it, but does tick you the wrong way when one out of ten people looks at you like you’re the reason the war is happening.” – Karo, Russia
The previous two interviewees have been friends since October 2022, when they met during Newcastle freshers week at a house party. They both said where they were from and talked for a while, relieved to hear a familiar language in an unfamiliar city. They both mentioned, however, that multiple people either made a joke, a quiet comment, or were genuinely confused as to how a Russian and a Ukrainian are getting along so well. It really seems that there is more presumed hatred among the people who have nothing to do with the conflict, than those who are living in it. Of course, some people have different experiences, and are completely entitled to their opinions.
Odintsovsky District – by Elisaveta Semasheva
“I was named after a city in Ukraine that my grandmother was born in. I’ve never been, I barely even speak the language, but I really wish my parents had taken me there for at least one visit before it became too late. I feel like it’s this huge part of me that I’m gonna carry on with me for the rest of my life, that I never really got to know.” – Odysseas, Ukraine
Odysseas Stog – by Elisaveta Semasheva
There are many Russian, Ukrainian, half Russian or half Ukrainian students living in the UK. Some might have lived here their entire lives, not having stepped foot in their home countries, and knowing nothing about their heritage. They might have not gotten the opportunities to visit or maybe just didn’t want to, which is their own decision. However, that means they may not feel as close to those parts of their culture, and therefore not be as affected by the current situation as their parents might be.
House in Kaluga, Russia – by Elisaveta Semasheva
“I went on a date with this boy in my first year. He lived his entire life in the UK, but spoke a little bit of Russian because his mum was from Ukraine, and that was exciting for me, because I could be with someone, around whom I wouldn’t have to translate everything in my head. There wasn’t a second date though, because one of the first things he said to me when we met was “My mum already hates you because I told her you were Russian”. So that wasn’t a great thing to hear. Just made me sad” – Lisa , Russia
That boy probably meant it as a joke, or maybe he just didn’t think because he was nervous as well, but for the girl who loved her country and missed it dearly, hearing those words on a first date really stung. It stung because she didn’t have anything to do with the war and because it meant more to her than it did to him.
Every student’s university experience varies, and being a Russian or Ukrainian student doesn’t make that experience more difficult or stressful than others, however it does give one a unique perspective on life abroad, which these students love to share.
Navy Day – by Elisaveta Semasheva