Steep international tuition fees may prevent Ukrainian teen refugee from attending university [Video]

B.C. has become home for 18-year-old Hanna Ushkanova. 

She fled war in Ukraine three years ago and was living in a refugee camp in Greece when she was connected with a Chilliwack family, who took her in as their own. 

“They gave me a place, and they gave me so much love and support,” said Ushaknova. 

Her dream is to build a life in B.C., pursuing a career in medical research. But in the face of high international tuition fees, she is fighting to attend the University of British Columbia this fall.

Ushkanova has been accepted to study sciences at the university. She says she wants to work in the medical field, specifically doing cell research to help find cures for diseases.

Gord Robertson and Julie Veer, who Ushkanova refers to as her Canadian mom and dad, say they would like to continue supporting Ushkanova financially but are unable to afford high international tuition rates—which range from around $40,000 to $60,000 a year depending on the program. 

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