Seton Hall Hosts Ukrainian Students

Last fall, Seton Hall students were invited to join a conversation with Ukrainian students at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University to discuss the impacts of the war on their education and day-to-day lives. Established by Professor James Daly, Ed.D. and the Department of Educational Studies within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media, the relationship between both universities have existed for more than 14 years. Due to recent events, the relationship has changed as students at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University have struggled to deal with the realities of war and their own educational goals.

"The Ukrainian students are studying under extremely stressful circumstances, with missile and drone attacks frequent," said Daly. "Classes are disrupted by air raid sirens, and hours of instruction are missed." The stressful days and moments of disruption have severely hampered the educational experience of many of the students. However, as expressed throughout the meeting, they remain determined and the relationship with Seton Hall provides an outlet for that determination.

Describing the relationship, Maxim Matusevich, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of History noted, "Seton Hall and Borys Grinchenko students have collaborated on four volumes of an electronic journal titled Young Scientists Grinchenko – Seton International Journal." The journal is published to a wide audience, available in both Ukrainian and English. Included in many of the published articles, notes Matusevich, are Seton Hall students. The journal has become a source of pride for both universities thanks to the exposure it lends to their hard-working students.

Although initially an academic relationship, the connection between students at Seton Hall and Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University has morphed into something more genuine due to recent events. Instead of sharing stories of academic success, Seton Hall students are learning from their counterparts the challenges of education during a time of war. "Every single Ukrainian student has been affected by this awful war," said Matusevich, "and many young people, the age of our students, are now finding themselves in the trenches and under the missile fire." This new reality for the students at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University has profoundly affected their lives. 

When asked to describe a particular moment during the meeting that made an impression on himself and the others in attendance, Matusevich remembered a particular young woman. Her boyfriend was fighting on the front lines and it had been a long time since she had seen him. Recently, he was allowed a brief return home to spend time with his family for a few days. "The young man took advantage of this hiatus to propose to his girlfriend," said Matusevich, "and the young woman is now waiting for her fiancé to return from this war alive so that they could have a life together." Although just one story, it was one not at all uncommon for many of the attendees. It captures the many challenges they face as students in a country at war.

However, their pursuit of higher learning has not wavered. Matusevich said, "Many students showed a lot of resilience. They are still in Ukraine and continue their studies despite the war. They have exhibited absolutely incredible courage and grit." Despite the number of obstacles placed before them, many of the students push on, fueled by their desire to learn and to share their story with anyone who will listen, even students at Seton Hall.
 
About the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media
Seton Hall’s College of Human Development, Culture, and Media activates the synergies of communication, education, and media to equip the change makers of tomorrow with cutting-edge skills that drive social innovation. Through our interdisciplinary approach to learning, our graduate programs embrace today’s digital culture while training students to lead and solve pressing problems in their chosen field as well as society. Graduates are prepared to practice in a multi-media world — whether that be as a multi-media communicator, teacher, counselor, psychologist, school or law enforcement leader. Visit here for more information on our Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts.

Categories: Education, Nation and World