
23 February 2023
“I never expected to become a refugee”
Since the invasion of Ukraine, millions of people have become refugees and Ukrainian academics are scattered around the world. One of them is Lina Anyshchenko, who now has a temporary position at Luleå University of Technology. As a psychologist, she has helped other refugees process their traumas – but like many other refugees, her own future is uncertain.
On the morning of February 24, 2022, Lina Anyshchenko was awakened in her home in Chernihiv by unusual noice she finds difficult to describe. She ran to the bomb shelter with her cat to the sound of Russian planes.
“My city was under constant attack by the Russian troops. Russian planes were flying low and dropping bombs on schools, kindergartens, and hospitals. We had no water, no electricity, no internet, and a lack of food”, says Lina Anyshchenko.
Lina Anyshchenko is a psychologist with long experience of clinical work and teaching at the Chernihiv Institute of postgraduate education. Before the war, she also worked on her doctoral thesis on digital parenting. The dissertation is now postponed indefinitely, and there is no longer a home to return to.
“The district is in ruins. They have mined the forest; they have mined the cemeteries. This is a war against civilians.”
An emotional decision
With not much more than her passport and computer, Lina Anyshchenko crossed the border to the EU on foot. Behind her she left her parents and her cat. She made it to the Netherlands where she has friends. For a few months she worked as a psychologist helping other refugees from Ukraine process their traumas, among them children who lost their parents.
She got in touch with the Scholars at Risk network. Since the invasion, Luleå University of Technology has intensified its work with the organization and set aside means to employ Ukrainian researchers.
After numerous applications to various universities, and several offers, Lina Anyshchenko’s choice fell on Luleå. A city she had never heard of before.
“It was an emotional decision, but I'm happy to be here. Norrbotten reminds me of home. I come from northern Ukraine, from a city which is the centre of its region, like Luleå. I like Sweden and received a very warm welcome from my colleagues here.”
Want to help other refugees
Three months have now passed of Lina Anyshchenko's six-month employment at Luleå University of Technology. She has been worked in various research projects and also on her own study about Ukrainian teachers' experiences of the invasion – "Teacher under the bullets". She continues to help other Ukrainian refugees with psychological support, unpaid in her spare time. Despite solid experience as a psychologist, it is not possible to work in Sweden due to regulations.
“I would be happy to help more in my professional role. Refugees are in need of support without cultural and linguistic barriers. In several other countries it is possible for me to work as a psychologist, but unfortunately not in Sweden.”
She enjoys academia and would like to continue, which is a challenge since the war came between the completion of her doctoral thesis. Jessica K. Ljungberg is Head of subject for Psychology and Lina Anyshchenko's main contact at Luleå University of Technology.
“She is truly a resource and very competent. In addition, she knows exactly what it means to be a refugee and to work with refugees,” says Jessica K. Ljungberg.
”A day of sorrow”
Lina Anyshchenko falls silent when she is asked about the future, it is too uncertain.
“I never expected to become a refugee. Before, my life had a structure, I worked a lot and had a schedule and plan for years ahead. We had the life of our dreams. Everything I own now is in a suitcase. I am free and safe but lack a solid foundation.”
Her former colleagues are scattered around the world as refugees. Some are working at other universities, others are struggling to cope with the loss of family members.
On February 24, 2023, it will be one year since Lina Anyshchenko woke by the sound of Russian troops.
“It is a day of sorrow. A year ago, on this day, the lives of 42 million people changed.”
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