Author: Azadeh Haidari-Garmash, RCIC
Hanna Ushkanova's fight for affordable education in Canada
On This Page You Will Find:
- Hanna Ushkanova's inspiring journey and challenges
- The impact of UBC's tuition policy on Ukrainian students
- Insights into Canada's refugee policies
- Emotional narratives of resilience and hope
- How you can help students like Hanna
Summary:
Hanna Ushkanova, an 18-year-old Ukrainian student, is caught in a financial struggle to pursue her educational dreams in British Columbia. Despite her acceptance to the University of British Columbia, high international tuition rates threaten her aspirations. This article explores her journey from a refugee camp in Greece to a new life in Canada, highlighting the challenges faced by students like her due to the cessation of domestic tuition rates for Ukrainian refugees. Learn about the policies affecting these students and how the community can come together to support them.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- High international tuition rates pose significant barriers for Ukrainian students in Canada.
- UBC's policy change has left students like Hanna without affordable education options.
- Canada's refugee policies currently exclude Ukrainians from certain benefits.
- Hanna's story highlights the resilience and determination of young immigrants.
- Community support is crucial for the educational success of refugee students.
Dreams Derailed: A Student's Struggle for Education
Hanna Ushkanova stares at her acceptance letter from the University of British Columbia, a moment that should have been filled with triumph. Instead, it's overshadowed by the daunting reality of international tuition fees ranging from $40,000 to $60,000 annually CBC News. This young Ukrainian, who fled the war-torn streets of her homeland and found refuge in British Columbia, faces a formidable financial barrier to her dreams of becoming a medical researcher.
Hanna's remarkable journey began in a refugee camp in Greece, where she connected with a compassionate family in Chilliwack, British Columbia. "They gave me a place, and they gave me so much love and support," she recalls CBC News. Her Canadian "parents," Gord Robertson and Julie Veer, have embraced her as one of their own, but the high cost of international tuition is beyond their means.
A Policy Shift Leaves Students in Limbo
The University of British Columbia once offered domestic tuition rates to Ukrainian students under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel visa (CUAET) CTV News. However, this policy ended in September 2023, leaving students like Hanna without financial reprieve CBC News. Despite Canada's extension of the CUAET program, UBC has yet to adapt its tuition policies accordingly, placing Ukrainian students in a precarious position.
"UBC is aware the federal government recently extended the deadline for Ukrainian refugees to apply for a new study permit and will review possible implications," the university stated CBC News. Meanwhile, Hanna's dreams hang in the balance, as she hopes for scholarship opportunities or a policy reversal that could make her education attainable.
The Human Face of Policy Decisions
For Hanna, uprooting her life again to attend a university offering domestic rates, like the University of Alberta, would mean leaving behind her newfound family and support system. "I feel like this place is my home now," she says CTV News. Her Canadian sister, Amelie, was instrumental in bringing her to Canada, reinforcing the bonds that have formed since her arrival.
Gord Robertson underscores the unique challenges faced by Ukrainian students, who often arrive in Canada under circumstances far removed from those of wealthier international students. "They're not like a regular international student who's coming from perhaps a position of wealth, so it's impossible for them," he explains Global News.
Building Hope Amidst Uncertainty
Hanna's story is one of resilience and aspiration, a testament to the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity. She dreams of furthering her education beyond an undergraduate degree, ultimately contributing to Canada with her skills and dedication. "We are just trying to find a way to fit into this society and find a way to contribute to this country," she emphasizes CTV News.
The call for community support and policy change is urgent. As Hanna continues her fight for education, her story serves as a reminder of the power of compassion and the need for systemic solutions to support refugee students in Canada.
