B.C. has turn into house for 18-year-old Hanna Ushkanova.
She fled warfare in Ukraine three years in the past and was dwelling in a refugee camp in Greece when she was related with a Chilliwack household, who took her in as their very own.
“They gave me a spot, they usually gave me a lot love and help,” mentioned Ushaknova.
Her dream is to construct a life in B.C., pursuing a profession in medical analysis. However within the face of excessive worldwide tuition charges, she is combating to attend the College of British Columbia this fall.
Ushkanova has been accepted to review sciences on the college. She says she needs to work within the medical discipline, particularly doing cell analysis to assist discover cures for ailments.
Gord Robertson and Julie Veer, who Ushkanova refers to as her Canadian mother and pop, say they wish to proceed supporting Ushkanova financially however are unable to afford excessive worldwide tuition charges—which vary from round $40,000 to $60,000 a year relying on this system.
Ushkanova’s mother and father in Ukraine are additionally unable to assist with tuition. She says they’re struggling to make ends meet amidst the warfare.
A younger Ukrainian refugee has constructed a life in B.C. after fleeing the warfare. She hopes to pursue a profession in medical analysis, however steep worldwide tuition charges might forestall her from attending college. As CBC’s Michelle Gomez stories, the international pupil is hoping officers will make an exception for these in her place.
In accordance with UBC’s policy, the college provides home tuition charges for individuals with refugee standing. Nevertheless, those that fled the warfare in Ukraine are not considered refugees by the Canadian authorities.
In 2022, the province quickly mandated that universities supply home tuition charges to Ukrainian college students coming into underneath the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Journey visa (CUAET).
However the College of British Columbia has ended that coverage, noting its final consumption providing home charges to CUAET visa holders was in September 2023.
“The warfare remains to be going. . . we’re nonetheless in the identical scenario,” mentioned Ushkanova, “I do not suppose it is truthful for Ukrainians.”
The household says they’ve reached out to UBC in addition to the province however have not heard again but.
UBC mentioned in an announcement to CBC that it’s conscious the federal authorities lately prolonged the deadline for Ukrainian refugees to use for a brand new research allow and can assessment potential implications within the days forward.
“We are able to actually perceive the tip of the CUAET program is regarding for potential Ukrainian college students,” mentioned an announcement from UBC.
“We strongly encourage any affected potential college students to analysis and apply for scholarships that may assist them.”
The B.C. Ministry of Put up Secondary Schooling mentioned in an announcement that universities might have choices for monetary help on a case-by-case foundation however didn’t reply to particular questions on Ushkanova’s case.
Ushkanova says she is aware of there are different younger Ukrainians finishing highschool in B.C. and hopes the college will make an exception for these in her place.
‘This place is my house’
When the warfare first broke out in Ukraine, Robertson and Veer’s 14-year-old daughter, Amelie, knew she wished to do one thing.
“Amelie got here to us and mentioned I need to assist,” mentioned Robertson. “Assist them get settled in Canada, away from the warfare.”
After doing a little analysis, Amelie discovered a volunteer group that related her with Ushkanova, who joined the household in Canada in February 2023.
Since arriving, Ushkanova and Amelie say they’ve turn into like sisters.
And Roberson says Ushkanova has thrived in class, incomes a grade common within the excessive 90s and collaborating in extracurricular actions.
There are different universities in Canada that also supply home tuition to Ukrainian refugees, such because the College of Alberta.
However for Ushkanova, shifting would imply no help system.
“I really feel like this place is my house now,” she mentioned.
Robertson mentioned that after every little thing Ushkanova has been by means of at a younger age, uprooting her life could be robust.
“If she stays in B.C., we’re right here to help her. We’ll proceed to be proper by her aspect by means of every little thing,” mentioned Robertson.
He mentioned shifting overseas was not a alternative for a lot of younger Ukrainians like Ushkanova, however a survival transfer.
“They don’t seem to be like an everyday worldwide pupil who’s coming from maybe a place of wealth, so it is unimaginable for them,” he mentioned.
Ushkanova hopes to proceed her schooling past an undergraduate diploma, finally pursuing a grasp’s or PhD. She additionally needs to turn into a Canadian citizen.
She says she needs to be an instance to different younger Ukrainians, exhibiting that they’ll rise above challenges and pursue their goals.
However with out assured entry to schooling near house within the fall, she says this future stays unsure.
“We’re simply looking for a approach to match into this society and discover a approach to contribute to this nation,” mentioned Ushkanova. “We deserve assist, identical to everyone else.”
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