The Sussex Fund: A helping hand for students
Read how the US Sussex community supported Ukrainian students like Violetta, who has an update about her Sussex journey.
Ukranian student Violetta Korbina
Violetta Korbina (Physics with Astrophysics 2023) is one of many Ukrainian students who found themselves suffering unimaginable distress and hardship in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of their home country. Trauma, anxiety and deep concern for their loved ones, as well as added uncertainty about their future and growing financial worries are just some of the pressures faced by these students.
Violetta explains:
“When Russia invaded Ukraine, studying for my degree became a real struggle. I had trouble sleeping and it became difficult to drag myself out of bed. To prevent myself plunging into destructive thoughts, I learned to juggle monitoring the latest news, my volunteer job, studying, researching and making sure I was constantly around other people.”
The Sussex Fund Appeal was launched to provide urgent hardship bursaries and scholarships for those affected by the war. Generous gifts from the Friends of the University of Sussex have had a significant impact on addressing the pressures faced by students like Violetta, providing them with better financial stability and allowing them to continue their studies at Sussex.
Despite everything that she has been through, Violetta graduated with a first class degree. She acknowledges that the love and support of the Sussex community (including her school) motivated her greatly, and was one of the reasons she made the decision to stay at Sussex and study for a Masters degree in Astrophysics.
I am beyond happy that I managed to graduate with a First, despite all the complications that arose. My time at Sussex and in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) made me want to stay here and that brings me a huge sense of motivation.”VIOLETTA KORBINA
Physics with Astrophysics 2023