Anton Yushin studied Italian for four years at Kiev University, but the outbreak of war taught him the most valuable lesson of his student life: prioritising what is most important.
When he enrolled at the Kiev National Linguistic University, Russia had not yet invaded, and his main concerns were socializing and pleasing his parents by passing exams.
“Maybe not my goals but my values have changed,” Yushin, 22, told AFP on graduation day in Kiev last month.
“Earlier everything was limited to parties and fun. Now you need to spend more time with family and friends, because they can go away at any time,” he said.
Thousands of Ukrainians, graduating from nearly 300 universities this summer, are entering a society transformed by war – their future in doubt, and with no end to the fighting in sight.
As Ukraine mobilises young people for military conscription, male graduates face the prospect of being called up to the military when they turn 25 years old.
Higher education has also not remained untouched by conflict.
Dozens of teachers and professors are fighting on the front lines and a fifth of the sector’s facilities have been damaged or destroyed by Russian bombing.
In December 2022, a missile fell a few hundred meters from Yushin’s compound.
stay or go
But on graduation day, the atmosphere at Yushin’s alma mater was festive. The scent of perfume wafted through the warm summer air as staff congratulated students who had completed their studies despite historical turmoil.
Student life had barely returned to normal after the Covid pandemic when, in February 2022, Russia invaded.
Universities suspended classes and Korean language student Nicoletta Shova was sent by her parents to stay with relatives in Italy.
The 22-year-old likened the “emotional” time she spent abroad to “sedation”, and worried about whether she would ever be able to return.
Just a few weeks later, most universities resumed teaching – online or in person – while Russian troops were still present on the outskirts of Kiev.
Showa returned after three months and managed to complete her degree while also working with classmates to raise funds for the war effort.
Now, with his diploma in hand, the uncertainty had returned.
She was considering studying abroad – possibly studying marketing in the United States – but she was open to finding a creative job at home, too.
He said it was possible to build a future in Ukraine despite the war, citing a popular saying that would require perseverance: “He who does not take risks never drinks champagne”.
Jokes, memes
“So I’m being realistic, but with a bit of positivity,” he said of his future.
Darina Dekhtyar, 22, a graduate of the Kyiv National Linguistic University, was stunned by Russia’s invasion.
“I didn’t cry at all. I just went on autopilot,” she said, but added that her friends also helped boost her morale.
“We made our own memes, jokes, it made everything a lot easier,” he recalled.
Dana Andreychuk, who got an office job just after graduation, was rushing to meet friends after the ceremony.
She did not want to think about the relative comfort of her student life, nor did she want to think too much about the prospect of a long war.
“I’m trying to avoid getting stuck in the past and becoming a pessimist. I want to live in the present, not in the future, because we don’t know what will happen next,” she said.
He said, “If the government encourages the youth to stay in the country even in the event of war and do everything possible to build a better future – and the society becomes nationally conscious – then we can consider staying in the country.”
– ‘Don’t run and hide’ –
Like thousands of other male graduates, Yushin doesn’t have as much freedom to choose. Authorities have banned men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving Ukraine.
Thousands of people have migrated illegally and dozens have died trying to do so.
But Yushin loved life at home.
“Real men don’t run or hide. If the time comes and I get a summons, I will not run away,” he told AFP.
He said, “I can cry all I want, sit here and tremble, but this will not change the direction of the rocket.”
He said that whatever happens in the future, he is unlikely to use the Italian language, but he is determined to spend his time in the best way possible.
“I have to make full use of it.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)