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From Kyiv to Espoo

Kateryna fled her home in Kyiv. She arrived at Helsinki-Vantaa airport on a Sunday, and already on Tuesday she sent her application to Aalto. She moves fast. 

Just about everything around her was unknown, and although she hadn’t had the time to formulate any kind of plan for her immediate future, let alone long-term, she jumped into action. That is called determination, even if she herself downplays her actions. 

"In a way, I was just going with the flow. Taking in everything around me and trying to make sense of it."

In all of this, we at Otaniemi got lucky. When looking into her options, the first link she happened to see was one for studying at Aalto, and though she applied to other universities as well, soon it is us who get to call this decisive and determined woman our alum. 

Kateryna studies at the School of Business but is utilising the flexibility of Aalto’s program structure. She has taken, for example, computer science and language courses, and highlights specifically the applicability – combination of technology and economics, the real-life case studies, and overall comprehensive, broad view to topics – of the program to be its main selling point in her mind.

“What comes to their studies, students have more choices here than back in Ukraine. The whole university experience feels more real, I’m taking ownership of my own education and choices I make. I'm doing things for myself and for my future. I’m independent. But independency doesn’t mean I’m alone nor stressed. Quite the opposite, actually. I feel there’s less outside pressure being put on students; the atmosphere is relaxed even though everyone is working hard.” 

Putting the work in – you get what you give

It is clear that Kateryna is determined, though not confined in narrow focus. From the get-go, she has put the work in and has welcomed new “projects” to her life: she, for example, started studying for the degree program entrance examination already prior to even starting her non-degree studies. 

“I wanted to look forward and do something, rather than just sit and wait. Sure, it was hard but at the same time restoring, and in a way reassuring to focus my mind to something I could control: learning.”

Kateryna is giving back to her Aalto community already. This fall, as a tutor she is helping new students getting acquainted with the campus and student life. And even before her tutor role, Kateryna joined Wednesday as a volunteer: “It’s a women’s entrepreneurial minded community led by students. It’s all about learning from each other and creating opportunities. I love being part of something that empowers, inspires, and unites women who are interested in entrepreneurship.” 

Being part of something and having a sense of belonging are crucial in adapting to a new environment and new culture. Living in a foreign country without one’s social network is challenging as it is, regardless of the circumstances, so hearing how we at Aalto have managed to create a welcoming atmosphere is a testimonial of job well done to our wider community.

Thank you

When asked about possible regards to donors, Kateryna speaks with a lot of gratitude. 

“Had I not gotten all the support I did, I could have not accepted the study place. I was very surprised by the generosity. I moved here to live on my own for the very first time, and with the financial support, I had less to worry about and could reserve my energy to my studies and my family. I’m very grateful for the opportunity itself, but also for the feeling that I still have opportunities ahead in my life in the first place. That is a big thing. These thanks are for the donors but also for the people at Aalto who have welcomed me warmly and taken me in as part of the community.”