Every third Ukrainian wants to emigrate
Halyna SOLOVIY, candidate in philology, doctoral student of the European Collegium of Polish and Ukrainian Universities, Lublin, Poland:
“Study in Poland is prestigious and is rewarded appropriately. Here a foreign postgraduate student receives a stipend of $300 and can afford to live on campus, doesn’t have to work part-time and can instead concentrate on research.
“Many Ukrainian scholars wish to remain and work in Poland, since here salaries and wages of educators with a degree are two or three times what they can earn in Ukraine and range between $500 and $1000. Yet Poland’s unemployment rate is 20%, for which reason it is difficult for a Ukrainian even with a Polish diploma to get a job as a lecturer. One has to know people (bribes are out of the question) and have references. I’m convinced that every third Ukrainian student who completes his or her education in Poland will remain here and take up any job if not the kind of job he studied for. Personally, I would gladly lecture at one of Kyiv’s universities even if paid a pittance. Unfortunately, candidates in philology are not in demand in Ukraine and have no choice but to look for ways to put their knowledge to use abroad.”
Yury MALYK, visiting doctor at the Munich University dentistry clinic, Germany:
“Most Ukrainians are employed unofficially in Germany and have no social security or medical insurance. As a rule, this doesn’t last long. If detained by police, illegal workers are deported. While in Italy or Portugal one can with time receive a work permit and certain benefits such as permission to leave and enter the country legally, this doesn’t apply to Germany.
“Even if a young Ukrainian has earned higher education and received a work permit, this doesn’t mean that he will find a well- paying job. Germany’s job placement services make sure that the best jobs go to German nationals. After defending my doctoral dissertation I will return to Kyiv. In Ukraine I will need the skills and knowledge of contemporary dentistry techniques acquired here.
“I think that if every Ukrainian who emigrated to a different country worked as hard in his home country as he now does abroad, he would prosper and feel self-sufficient in his country.”
Markiyan SVIATO, soloist with the Opera Studio of the Ukrainian National Music Academy:
“The situation in operatic art is the same as in culture in general. Understandably, young and ambitious people cannot realize their potential in our country. Singers and musicians have an opportunity to work under contracts in other countries, but have their main job in Ukraine. I like this idea.
“I will soon have auditions in two new theaters, one with the Bavarian State Opera and the other with the Strasbourg Opera. Such cooperation enables young singers to enhance their scenic artistry, vocal skills, and see how the world represents contemporary opera. After all, even the classics change with time. But I don’t want to remain elsewhere forever.
“What will happen to this country if all the young, talented, and promising emigrate? Ukraine will begin to age.”
Yuliya MISHCHENKO, Tali Um lead singer:
“I lived in Freiburg, Germany, from 1996 to 1997. I went there as part of a student exchange program between the Lviv and Freiburg Universities. I wanted to master German to perfection and, living in an average German family, discover the country from within. At that period all my friends talked of emigrating. And I wanted to see what it feels like to live in a foreign country. I got accustomed to the comfortable living conditions immediately, but soon realized that I felt as an outsider and didn’t belong there because of a different worldview and attitudes. Moreover, Germany highly respects its own citizens above all and then immigrants.
“All my friends who have emigrated have already settled there and prosper, but they miss this sincere and ingenuous communication among people, which Ukrainians have. They admit that they want to come to Lviv and have a coffee as they did before.”
Motria ONYSHCHUK, senior director of corporate management programs of the International Financial Corporation:
“Since 1990 I have visited Ukraine all the time, but then I didn’t think of staying here: the stores sold only mineral water and sea kale. Now the economic situation has improved significantly.
“After six years as a lawyer in Toronto, I felt that I wanted international experience. In the 1980s I worked in Brazil, and since then I’ve become interested in developing countries. Initially, I came to Ukraine for half a year to test myself. I’ve been so fascinated with young Ukrainians — original, interesting, erudite, and educated — with whom I worked hand-in-hand, that I decided to extend my contract. It’s my third year in Kyiv, and I feel that I belong here: I know the language, culture, and have a Ukrainian husband (prominent composer, musician, and translator Viktor Morozov — Author).
“Young Ukrainians should not have illusions that someone is expecting them, say, in Canada or the US. They have many problems with their own young people: education, employment, social security, and competition. Meanwhile, to those who have decided to go there no matter what I would suggest to learn the language and get a higher education and a competitive profession.”
P.S. Young people who wish to express their own opinion of the problems raised here are welcome to mail their information to