This Is The Why Large Numbers Of Indian Students Migrate To Ukraine For Studies

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused terror and dread among hundreds of Indian parents whose children have been left trapped in a nation where air raid sirens are blaring and Russian soldiers are dropping bombs and missiles. India’s efforts to evacuate its nationals from the crisis zone were severely hampered when Ukraine barred its airspace.

India, Morocco, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, China, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, and Uzbekistan are the top ten countries of origin for foreign students in Ukraine.

India accounted for 24% of Ukraine’s international students in 2020, according to the ministry of education and science.

According to the Indian Embassy in Ukraine, there are now around 18,000 Indian students studying medicine or engineering in Ukraine

According to some other estimates, the overall population of students can be up to 20,000 who are studying in Ukraine.

According to reports, Kharkiv National Medical University, located around 480 kilometres from Kyiv, is Ukraine’s most sought-after medical school. Notably, Kharkiv was one of the first cities to be attacked by Russia.

But have you ever thought that why there are so many Indians studying medicine? Let’s attempt to figure out why there are so many Indian medical students in Ukraine, what the benefits are, and what is going on with them right now.

Why Indians students choose Ukraine for studying medicine?

As previously said, the majority of Indian students in Ukraine study medicine. According to Quartz India, Ukrainian medical colleges are a benefit for students who are unable to get places at government universities or afford the hefty prices charged by private institutions in India.

First of all, in contrast to India, the institutions in Ukraine are less expensive. MBBS costs in Ukraine range from $3,500 to $5000 per year (Rs 2.65 lakh to Rs 3.8 lakh), which is within reach for Indian students. And secondly, the education standards there are high.

According to reports, Ukraine has the fourth-largest number of graduate and post-graduate specializations in the field of medicine in Europe. The World Health Organization and UNESCO have both acknowledged their universities. Apart from that, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, the European Council of Medicine, and the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom recognize Ukrainian medical degrees.

Another reason why Indian students choose Ukraine to study medicine is that there are no entrance exams to pass in order to get admission to medical schools. Students also remark that because English is the medium of teaching, it is simple for them and that they do not have to worry about learning a foreign language, as they would if they were in another nation.

Current condition in Ukraine after Russia invasion

Students in Ukraine claim that since Russia’s strikes, they have been left stranded and without assistance. Several of them made frantic pleas to the administration on Thursday to help them return safely. One student is heard in one video, as reported by NDTV, pleading with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to evacuate Indians.

Ternopil, Ukraine | Indian students request the govt to bring them back to India

“We came to Ukraine for studies. We are requesting the Government and our Embassies to take us back to India as soon as possible,” said two Indian students pic.twitter.com/k3AdiVONXt

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022

In another video sent by an Indian student, people are seen sitting on the floors of an underground metro train station.

Indian students have taken Shelter in the basement of a University in Kharkiv, Ukraine. They are worried as Food, money, essential supply running out.#StopWar #RussiaUkraineConflict pic.twitter.com/FPLg5JFjq1

— Hemant Rajaura (@hemantrajora_) February 24, 2022

Students in Ukraine have now been questioned why they did not leave the country earlier, as advised by the Indian embassy. Due to the high cost of airline tickets, many argued that it wasn’t as simple as leaving now.

One student had purchased a trip to India for Rs 20,000, but the price had risen to Rs 60,000. India’s foreign secretary informed all Indian people in Ukraine, including students, and their family members, that the government will take all necessary efforts to ensure their safe return.