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Not the first choice, but in the end, the best possible one

Select Finland, work hard. Get accepted to Aalto, continue to work hard. Make the most of the opportunities. This pretty much sums it up, how a Ukrainian student, Marharyta Hryshchenko, ended up in Otaniemi as a living proof of resilience and as a glimpse of a brighter future for us all.
Aalto University student Marharyta Hryshchenko

Aalto University continues to offer study rights without fees still for the spring semester 2025 to university students from Ukraine whose studies have been interrupted by the war. While the separate study right entitles students to complete individual study units, not a degree, students may apply to Aalto University later for bachelor’s or master’s degree studies.

Outdoor wall painting of a hand heart in front of a Ukraine flag.

Marharyta Hryshchenko is one of some 100 students from Ukraine who’ve come to Aalto since the spring of 2022. She has also been a beneficiary to grants provided by our kind-hearted donor community and is now a degree student who plans to stay in Finland. 

Good decisions

Making decisions on one’s future is never easy nor without a doubt, we all know that. But when you’re still in your teens and are settling to which country you’re moving your life to for the unforeseeable future and how to give yourself the best possible premise for your career, the difficulty factor only multiplies. Marharyta, however, trusted her gut and kept an open mind:

“In the beginning, Finland wasn’t number one on my list when mapping out my options. By chance I came across some information about the non-degree program and got interested. I contacted several universities but Aalto seemed the most favorable and suitable for me.“

Aalto University student Marharyta Hryshchenko

Marharyta had an option to continue her studies online at Kyiv National University but didn’t see that as a good fit for her. Instead, she had taken a year off, came to Aalto for the non-degree studies, and then started to study for SAT and IELTS to be eligible to apply to European universities.

“I didn’t want to go back to Kyiv and so I applied to several universities. I was waiting anxiously for the replies. Just a day before I was due to accept or decline the offers, I had gotten from Italy and Austria, I received a letter from Aalto welcoming me to join the program. And that was it.” 

By that time Marharyta had already settled in Finland and had created herself a home. “This time around the decision was easy. Aalto had a better program to offer. I knew I had the freedom to choose courses to build myself a diverse education that would both interest me and benefit me in the long run.” 

Supportive campus and beyond

The non-formal approach to many aspects in life is something a lot of Finns take for granted, but the ease of asking also the so-called stupid questions and the approachability of authority figures, is something Marharyta lists as one of the main reasons she chose to stay here. 

“I like the open culture, that I can always email the professors even about the little things. I appreciate that teachers meet you in the level of a human being rather than highlighting the fact that there is a hierarchy difference. People understand circumstances. You’re here to learn, but sometimes life happens and then you have to deal with it. It’s not like we as students can come up with any excuse for turning papers in late, for example, but there’s a level on understanding and mutual respect. I really value that both at Aalto and in the Finnish society.“

Collaboration, weird Finns, and a sense of belonging

    Aalto University student Marharyta Hryshchenko

    Especially memorable event, course or project work you’d like to share?

    “I’ve really enjoyed especially the courses where I get to work with students from different disciplines and backgrounds. For example, my Electrical circuits -course was, simply put it, cool. I really enjoyed combining calculus and electronic prototyping, in addition to learning from and collaborating with other students.“

    Aalto University student Marharyta Hryshchenko

    One word to describe your time at Aalto so far?

    “Community. 

    From the start the tutors took me in and made me feel welcomed. We have our own small community of Ukrainian students who meet weekly. There are also monthly meetings with other foreign students, and AYY organises a lot of social gatherings, activities, and parties. Yes, I’m here to study, but the community, that I truly feel being part of, makes everything easier, more fun and rewarding. I’m not alone and I have people to rely on.”

    Aalto University, AllWell-opiskeluhyvinvointikysely 2021

    The weirdest thing about Finland?

    Just one...?

    1. Saunas. During our parties (for Ukrainians ) organised by Aalto tutors, there were always an option for sauna. We just did not understand why. Now, after two years in Finland, we do not attend parties if there is no sauna, because, what would be the point?
    2. Salmiakki. I just don't get it, and I hope it will remain the way it is now!
    3. Coffee. It is just not okay to drink that much coffee. I was surprised that Finland is not on top of a list “ranking countries where people die from heart attacks”.
    4. People. Apart from elderly, people here are more reserved and quieter (though not in saunas or when drunk). It is still a challenge for me to make a Finnish friend.
    5. Waiving to bus driver when leaving the bus. It is weird but I like this. When I visiting Ukraine, now I do that there also.

    Grateful and ambitious

    Marharyta just started as a 2nd year Digital Systems and Design in Science and Technology degree-student. The program teaches upcoming engineering leaders how to build digital systems that run the world. In this field particularly, the world needs driven people from different backgrounds who know to think fast and collaborate – Marharyta definitely fits the bill!

    It is very clear that this impressive young woman is grateful for the opportunities given, and is ready to make the most of them. She’s not content to settle for the status quo but is looking ahead, setting goals for herself, and working towards them – the specifics might not be all clear, nor do they need to be, but it is evident that she wants to keep moving forward. 

    “I don’t know what my future looks like. I don’t even know what my dream job would be. Can’t plan everything and perhaps that is for the best. I wouldn’t have been able to plan my experience at Aalto, none of this. And look how it all turned out!” 

    Regards to the community

    When asked about her sentiments towards the donors who had contributed to the grants, Marharyta has a plain answer: 

    “Just simply, thank you! For me, the financial support has been a crucially important enabler. It has been an enormous help, not just for me but for my family. It has been like a burden lift of my shoulders that my family doesn’t have to worry: I have a roof above my head and food on my plate. I’m happy.”

    Donations are still needed

    The university continues to offer non-degree study rights without fees for university students from Ukraine. Students also need financial aid to ease their daily life in a foreign country, where they don't have existing safety nets.

    If you are able to show your support financially, please consider donating. Every euro counts.

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