Posted on May 19, 2022
They escaped the war in Ukraine. Then they faced fresh trouble in Poland
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https://www.npr.org/2022/05/19/ [login to see] /ukraine-russia-invasion-african-students-poland
Late last year, Ima left her native Nigeria for Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine where she enrolled in prerequisite language courses before transferring to medical school later this year. It was the next step toward fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor.
Her plans were finally coming together until Feb 24, the day Russia invaded Ukraine.
It was the same day a Russian missile hit the airport in Ivano-Frankivsk near her home in the western Ukrainian city.
"I would have stayed, but because all my Nigerian and my African friends, everyone just moved out, they were like, we have to go, we have to go, it's not safe," Ima says.
So she began her grueling two-day journey toward the Polish border on February 26.
"I broke down. Literally, I was crying. I was like, oh my god, I can't make it," she says.
Late last year, Ima left her native Nigeria for Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine where she enrolled in prerequisite language courses before transferring to medical school later this year. It was the next step toward fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor.
Her plans were finally coming together until Feb 24, the day Russia invaded Ukraine.
It was the same day a Russian missile hit the airport in Ivano-Frankivsk near her home in the western Ukrainian city.
"I would have stayed, but because all my Nigerian and my African friends, everyone just moved out, they were like, we have to go, we have to go, it's not safe," Ima says.
So she began her grueling two-day journey toward the Polish border on February 26.
"I broke down. Literally, I was crying. I was like, oh my god, I can't make it," she says.
They escaped the war in Ukraine. Then they faced fresh trouble in Poland
Posted from npr.org
Ukraine
Poland
Immigration
Refugees
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 1
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Ima left her official documents in Ukraine and although she is taking online language courses, she is afraid that her slot in medical school is at risk. She says medical school is much more expensive for her in Poland, even if she were able to get legal status. And going back to Nigeria is not a possibility. So her options are limited. And now, her dreams of going to medical school include the calculations of going back to a country at war."...
..."Ima left her official documents in Ukraine and although she is taking online language courses, she is afraid that her slot in medical school is at risk. She says medical school is much more expensive for her in Poland, even if she were able to get legal status. And going back to Nigeria is not a possibility. So her options are limited. And now, her dreams of going to medical school include the calculations of going back to a country at war."...
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