On February 20, a panel discussion titled “Ukrainian Voices: Student Perspectives on Life During War” took place in the Reading Room of the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs at Northwestern University. The event marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and was organized by the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs and the Ukrainian Club at Northwestern University.
This was reported by eventbrite.
The Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America joined the event at the invitation of Ukrainian Club President Myroslava Trofymchuk.
The panel focused on the daily realities faced by Ukrainians living through war, occupation, and forced displacement. Rather than offering geopolitical analysis, the participants centered the discussion on personal stories.
Myroslava from Kakhovka, Yuliia from Kharkiv, and Vira from London — first- and second-year university students — shared their experiences. They spoke about living under air raid sirens, being forced to leave their homes, adapting to new countries, separation from family, and the search for identity. Their remarks included deeply personal losses — a father who gave his life for Ukraine, a friend killed in the war, and peers who continue their studies amid cold classrooms and constant attacks.
The discussion was moderated by Professor Jordan Gans-Morse, who fostered an atmosphere of openness and trust. A Q&A session followed, evolving into a meaningful dialogue among students, faculty members, and representatives of Chicago’s Ukrainian community.
Participants emphasized that such gatherings highlight the human dimension of war, which is often lost behind headlines and statistics. The event became a platform for the voices of a young generation of Ukrainians who speak openly about their experiences and consciously choose not to remain silent.
The Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America supports the Ukrainian Club at Northwestern University and encourages the community to take part in initiatives that strengthen the Ukrainian voice within the international academic environment.
Photo: Maria Klimchak
Author: Danylo Pievchev