UkraStud: how support and contacts with Europe affect the well-being of Ukrainian students

The UkraStud project looks at how Ukrainian students feel—both those studying at home and those who have gone to study in Europe (particularly Croatia, Italy, Romania, and Turkey)—and how much they feel like they’re part of the European community. Researchers studied the psychological and social well-being of students, how satisfied they are with support and incentive programs at universities, their attitude towards EU countries, and their sense of belonging to Europe. The goal is to understand how support and friendly relations with other Europeans help young people during their studies.

Key findings

The study showed:
• High level of well-being. Most Ukrainian students feel good and confident both in their studies and in their personal lives. Even those who have moved to other countries report good psychological well-being.
• Satisfaction with support. Students positively evaluate support policies and programs at universities. They feel that universities provide the necessary assistance, whether in their studies, everyday issues, or adapting to a new environment. Such programs help students feel protected and needed.
• Friendly contacts with others. Many students have positive experiences communicating with peers from other EU countries. This can be through joint studies, dormitory life, or youth events. Such intercultural encounters help reduce stress and make studying more interesting.
• Favorable attitude towards Europe. Ukrainian students generally have a positive attitude towards the countries of the European Union and towards Europeans themselves. They see Europe as friends and allies, not competitors or enemies. This attitude supports the desire to study together and exchange experiences.
• Formation of European identity. It turned out that students’ sense of belonging to the European community has grown. Inclusive activities at universities and friendly intercultural contacts have helped Ukrainian students feel part of Europe. For example, when they celebrate holidays or work on projects together with their European peers, they identify themselves more as “Europeans in education.”

Conclusions

Positive contacts with students from other European countries not only help Ukrainians study better and feel happier, but also shape their European identity. In other words, friendly communication and support abroad make studying more comfortable and encourage young Ukrainians to increasingly consider themselves part of the European family.

Social significance

The results of the UkraStud project can serve as a basis for improving student support. Universities can use this data to create or develop programs that bring together students from Ukraine and other European countries. For example, more joint events, clubs, or exchanges will help young people feel safe and supported. Policymakers and educational institution administrators can analyze these findings and allocate resources for mentoring support, free language courses, or psychological assistance, as well as encourage international cooperation. Thus, new knowledge about how inclusion and communication with foreign-language students improve well-being will help to better support Ukrainian youth while studying at home and abroad.