African students from Ukraine have nowhere to go

After the Russian invasion, refugees from Ukraine are welcomed worldwide with open arms. But that doesn’t apply to everyone: a large part of the nearly 20,000 African students studying in Ukraine experienced racism and discrimination while fleeing.

They were pushed away, verbally abused and abused at train stations and at border crossings. A year later, the situation has barely improved. “It feels like we’re not welcome anywhere and we can’t get on with our lives,” says Zimbabwean medical student Korrine Sky.

She did a year ago social media report of her flight. She and thousands of others shared their stories under the hashtag #AfricansinUkraine. From England, where she ended up, Sky is the spider in the web of this group. She provides fellow sufferers with information, contacts and a listening ear.

Continuing her studies is not possible: “The tuition here is five times higher than in Ukraine, I cannot afford that.” She therefore focuses entirely on helping African students. “No one else is standing up for this group, so I see it as my duty.”

According to Ukrainian government figures, 76,000 foreign students were studying in the country when the war began. A quarter of these come from African countries, especially Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco. Almost all of them have now left and many had to discontinue their studies.

“Ukraine was seen as a Valhalla for students looking for affordable education in Europe,” says Nigerian Jessica Orakpo from Weesp, where she lives with a host family. “The costs are low, it is relatively easy to get a visa, the education is good and we are taught in English.”

Over the past year, the African students have fanned out. According to the data collected by Sky, the largest group still resides in Europe, including Poland, Ireland, Austria and the Netherlands. Some are back in Ukraine and are trying to complete their studies there. But many have returned to their homeland. “A painful decision, because they have often saved years for a study abroad and going home empty-handed feels like failure.”

After the invasion, the European Union activated the Temporary Protection Directive (RTB). This gives refugees from Ukraine the right to shelter, medical care, work and education. But this is slightly different for refugees without a Ukrainian passport.

“The degree of protection differs per country,” says Carolus Grütters, researcher at the Center for Migration Law at Radboud University in Nijmegen. “In one country they receive the same treatment as Ukrainian displaced persons, but elsewhere their original country of origin is still considered. If that is deemed ‘safe’, they can be sent back.”

Students also encounter all kinds of problems when looking for options to continue their education, such as high study costs, high living costs and scholarships that are only available to Ukrainian students. African students do not meet the entry requirements, do not have the right papers or their diplomas are not recognised. It is often not possible to just pick up your studies at another university.

The scheme for displaced ‘third-country nationals’ in the Netherlands has recently been amended. While a special right of residence applies to Ukrainians until March 2024, this group will soon enter the regular asylum procedure. According to Grütters, the adjustment of that rule is unlawful. “The Netherlands should treat all refugees from Ukraine the same. But they are now coming back from that, with major consequences for this group.”

Orakpo experiences those consequences every day. She was able to take her final medical exams online, graduated via Zoom and is now officially a doctor. But despite the staff shortage in healthcare and many applications, she has not yet found a job in the Netherlands. “It’s so stressful, it keeps me awake,” she says. If she does not succeed before September, she must report to Ter Apel to register as an asylum seeker.

“I absolutely don’t want that,” says Orakpo. “So then I will go back to Ukraine, even if it is dangerous. At least from there I can legally apply for a visa. I will not let go of my dream of working as a doctor in Europe or America.”

From England, Korrine Sky continues to work for African students. A petition in which she calls for equal treatment by universities has been signed 135,000 times. “We are just as entitled to education, to a future.”

Last year, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, student Gabriel shared his story: