Taking a Step Forward Beyond Conflict — A Student Accepted under Special Measures for Ukraine Completes Her Master’s Degree —

In response to the situation in Ukraine, the University of Tsukuba has accepted a number of students from Ukraine under special measures. Ms. Uliana Shchadko is one of these students. She arrived in Japan in the winter of 2022 and, after spending a little over one year as a research student, was admitted in April 2024 to the Master’s Program in English Language Education, Degree Programs in Humanities, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Having successfully completed two years of study, she received her degree certificate at the graduation ceremony held yesterday—a significant milestone marking the culmination of her persistent efforts and learning.

 

At the outset of these special measures, the Subprogram in English Language Education(Hirai Seminar) already had a Ukrainian government-sponsored student enrolled in the doctoral program. This presence became an important factor in carefully and promptly considering the acceptance of additional students. Through online interviews and other discussions, we were deeply impressed by Ms. Shchadko’s strong determination to take on a new academic challenge—even though her undergraduate major was in a different field—amid widespread uncertainty and instability. In response to this aspiration, her acceptance into the program was decided.

 

Soon after her arrival in Japan, we organized a small dinner gathering with Angelina, a Ukrainian student then enrolled in the doctoral program, in order to ease initial anxieties and to help establish a supportive environment in which students and faculty could consult openly with one another. Even with such support, continuing one’s studies in a different linguistic and cultural setting while constantly worrying about the situation in one’s distant home cannot have been easy. The language barrier, in particular, posed a significant challenge. In preparation for formal enrollment, Ms. Shchadko diligently attended not only Japanese language classes at the University of Tsukuba but also a Japanese language school in Tokyo on a daily basis, steadily developing the proficiency required to study and conduct research in Japanese. Her efforts and determination were later featured by multiple media outlets, including The Tokyo Shimbun.

 

This achievement represents the culmination of Ms. Shchadko’s own dedication and perseverance. At the same time, it serves as a powerful reminder that, even amid an unpredictable global situation, learning can lead to hope and new possibilities for those seeking to shape their futures from different circumstances. The knowledge and ability to engage in meaningful dialogue cultivated through academic study have also undoubtedly played an important role in her job-seeking activities in Japan.

 

Ms. Shchadko, congratulations on the successful completion of the Master’s Program and on earning your degree. The specialized knowledge you acquired through the Subprogram in English Language Education, together with the experience of completing your master’s thesis while facing and overcoming significant challenges, will surely become a strong foundation for your future endeavors. I sincerely wish you continued success in all that lies ahead.

 

The Subprogram in English Language Education will continue to strive to be a place of learning that connects people through academic inquiry and supports individuals from diverse backgrounds with empathy and respect.

 

Supervisor: Akiyo Hirai

Subprogram in English Language Education

Degree Programs in Humanities

Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences

University of Tsukuba

 

ウクライナから避難したウリアナさん、筑波大院を修了して日本で就職へ　侵攻4年、故郷への思いと「将来の夢」：東京新聞デジタル

自立への道 | 日本財団