How did you decide to pursue education in another country?
When I was completing my bachelor’s degree in Donetsk, where I studied translation in 2014, the war began. So, I no longer had the opportunity to finish my master’s degree. However, after a few years of collaborating with foreign journalists covering the war in Ukraine, I became very interested in journalism. I saw how important this profession was in such conditions, and for the first time, I considered obtaining a journalism education.
I chose to pursue a master’s degree and, currently, a Ph.D. abroad for several reasons: the level of education, international recognition, and funding for research. The latter is more relevant to Ph.D. studies. I applied for three scholarships in Sweden, Denmark, and the UK, and received two in Denmark (Erasmus Mundus Journalism from the European Union) and Sweden (Swedish Institute from Sweden). To obtain these scholarships, I had to study extensively, write motivation letters, take the IELTS exam, and more. These scholarships helped me financially. But ultimately, what gave me the courage to pursue education abroad was the realization that staying in occupied Donetsk was dangerous, and I wanted to continue my studies.
What factors did you consider when choosing a university?
For both my master’s and Ph.D. studies, the most important factor for me was the curriculum. I read brochures and information on university websites to understand what the program would consist of. In Denmark, interdisciplinary focus and aspects of globalization, international relations, and more were essential to me. As for the Ph.D., I had to choose between a U.S. university and a Norwegian one, as I found potential supervisors with significant experience in Norway. Additionally, the fact that in Norway, a Ph.D. student is not a student but a full-fledged employee who receives an average salary, funding for travel, and much more at the same level as Norwegians was significant.
What challenges did you face at a Norwegian university?
I didn’t face any challenges until I needed to obtain permission from the special national committee for interviews I would conduct for research in Ukraine and other countries. I was pleasantly surprised that Norwegian universities take data security and ethical aspects of research seriously. I think it’s essential, even if it requires planning research well in advance and dealing with a lot of paperwork.
What similarities and differences can you identify between the education systems of Ukraine and Norway?
The most significant difference, from my experience, is the absolute absence of hierarchy in Norwegian universities (as well as in other Scandinavian countries). The attitude toward Ph.D. students is the same as for other university employees, regardless of their academic degree. This can also be observed in communication: titles like “professor” are not used, and everyone addresses each other by their first names, without surnames. The same applies to students. When I studied in Ukraine and Germany, it was the opposite. Scandinavian universities also often ask for student feedback on course content, lectures, and other matters. If students find something lacking or unsatisfactory, it gets addressed. So, it’s a very democratic approach to education.
What advice do you have for students planning to apply to foreign universities?
Look for full scholarships because living abroad is not cheap, and finding a job immediately may be challenging. Learn languages. Your English should be at a very high level, especially for academic articles. I recommend starting to read them now to become familiar with the specific language. Be prepared to work in a multicultural environment and ask your colleagues about their experiences. Some things you won’t learn in lectures. Learn about the culture of the country you’re going to and try to understand it. Lastly, apply for many scholarships right away. Be prepared for rejections, but keep applying. Learn to write motivation letters – that’s the most crucial part. Write to students, graduates, and professors from these universities and ask for advice, clarifications, and even assistance. Most importantly, participate in programs and study what truly interests you!
