Yulianna Skakun, a 16-year-old Ukrainian refugee, arrived in the UK on her own and is now determined to pursue a law degree. She moved to Rugby, Warwickshire to escape the ongoing war in her home country and has just started her course at the University of Northampton.
In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leaving the country under constant attack. Despite the stress and challenges of her journey, Skakun remained focused on her goal of getting an education. She is one of over 200,000 Ukrainian refugees who have sought safety in the UK since the war began.
Skakun described her journey to the UK as tough, having first traveled to Poland before finally arriving in England. She then completed her A-levels in politics, business, and English, as well as her final exams in Ukraine online. She credits her parents for investing in her education and English skills.
The young refugee chose to study law because of her interest in politics and her mother’s profession as a lawyer. She also completed a placement at the High Court in June, which solidified her decision to pursue a career in law. Skakun is grateful for her new life at university, where she can be independent and focus on her studies without relying on her host family.
She describes the university as a multicultural community where everyone gets along. Skakun also praised the smooth and well-organized process of starting university, which she found to be a pleasant surprise. As for her future plans, she says her life has completely changed and she cannot predict what she will do after finishing her degree.
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