From Kharkiv to Leeds
Mariia Dmytryk left her home in Kharkiv with just a backpack. Her family had hoped the Russian invasion would end before it reached them, but when a missile landed close to their home, they knew it was time to go.
Mariia boarded a train with her brother and mother – leaving her father behind. “It was very stressful,” says Mariia. “Men had to stay. I left everything I knew, my friends, my school, my belongings. We fled to England under the Homes For Ukraine scheme.”
She eventually found her way to the University of Leeds – and a place she would be able to call home. “I was luckier than many Ukrainians,” says Mariia. “That’s why I can’t waste the opportunities Leeds has given me.”
Without the support I’ve received, I would have had to work part-time jobs. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this.
An exceptional student in Ukraine, when Mariia arrived in the UK aged 15, she struggled at first. She missed chunks of school because of the war, was trying to adapt to a new culture, and was completely exhausted by the worry and upheaval. As the strongest English speaker in her family, Mariia took on the role of translator and helped complete visa documentation.
“My mother was an electrical engineer in Ukraine,” she says. “But in the UK the only work she could take was as a housekeeper and a waitress, so money was tight.”
Mariia received a scholarship to complete her A-Levels at a boarding school in Shropshire, which meant she was no longer a financial burden on the family, but it was isolating and she didn’t fit in.
That changed when she was awarded a scholarship to study at Leeds. “It had always been my dream to study at a UK university. Leeds appealed because it seemed so supportive – I read about the Plus Programme to help the transition to university, Access to Leeds which took an applicant’s personal circumstances into account, and scholarships which could help with my financial challenges.
“When I arrived, it was so welcoming and diverse. There are lots of people with unique backgrounds and I don’t stand out here, which is refreshing.”
Mariia could scarcely believe the opportunities on offer. She joined four societies in her first year. She became part of the Leeds Policy Institute and presented at the British Conference of Undergraduate Research. She joined an alumni mentoring scheme, was selected for an internship in Malaysia through the alumni-funded Global Futures Programme, and gained consultancy experience at a tech start-up.
Mariia was also selected for the prestigious Laidlaw Undergraduate Leadership and Research Scholarship. The programme operates at more than a dozen leading universities worldwide through the support of the Laidlaw Foundation, established by Irvine Laidlaw (Economics 1963). It enables talented students to gain the skills and experience to become active global citizens and ethical leaders, and gave Mariia the chance to pursue a research project investigating the future of Ukrainian economics.
“Most Ukrainians don’t have these opportunities, and I can’t waste the chance I’ve been given,” Mariia says. “Without the support I’ve received, I would have had to work part-time jobs. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this.
Mariia’s mother plans to return to Ukraine to be with her husband once the children are financially independent. In the meantime, Mariia’s hard work meant she was able to save enough money for a trip to Ireland for her mother’s birthday.
“I want to say a huge thank you for the support,” says Mariia. “Things have been hard, but you’ve not only brought me happiness again, you’ve motivated me to one day help others too.
“Giving towards a scholarship goes beyond one person. The impact is immeasurable.”
You can help students to thrive
By funding scholarships and a range of initiatives aimed at tackling the barriers experienced by students from less advantaged backgrounds, alumni and other supporters are helping them make the most of their time at Leeds. This support not only enables the next generation of students to succeed in their studies but can inspire them to have an incredible impact on society. To support this life-changing work, please give to Leeds today.
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