DELAND, Fla. — Next month marks one year since the war in Ukraine began, and while many Americans may have shifted attention elsewhere, it is still a reality for millions of people, including Ukrainians who fled to the United States. 

Stetson University is home to four Ukrainian students who are working to finish degrees as their former universities are under siege. Now, the university is attempting to raise funds to keep the students in the U.S. as the war continues.

Walking down the street to her dorm, Veronika Shchur looks like any other student at Stetson University. The economics major spends her time in model U.N., has taken up tennis, and has even gotten involved in a surfing club.

“I’m surrounded by my friends, by really nice professors and staff," Shchur said. "They’re all super helpful and nice, so it really made me feel at home."

But Shchur has experienced something very few students at Stetson ever have. Walking into her dorm, it becomes clear seeing the decor on the walls — a Ukrainian flag hangs on the living room walls, which are also ornamented with a photo of Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Below the photo, a caption with bold type face reads: "DON’T TREAD ON ZELENSKYY."

Recalling the days leading up to the Russian invasion, Shchur said the war was expected and unanticipated at the same time. Tensions had been rising between Ukraine and Russia, but she said no one can ever fully envision something of this magnitude happening to their own home. 

“I took some medicine, documents, money, and we ran to the bomb shelter not knowing if we’ll be able to return home at all,” she said. “Terrible ... difficult to explain.”

As Spectrum News joined Shchur in her dorm, it became clear she was attempting to balance two different worlds. In one, she prepares for classes — a cowboy hat sits in the kitchen boasting colors of red, white, and blue. 

But above the microwave, another world 5,000 miles away comes into view. A painting sits propped against the cabinet, dripping with blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

Shchur stands a few feet away, recalling a recent call back home.

“When I was on my phone with my grandma on Christmas, we were sending wishes to each other, and I hear literally explosions in the background,” she said.

Dr. Mayhill Fowler is one of the many faculty members trying to keep students like Shchur in the U.S. as the war carries on. Shchur is on a scholarship and says her university back home has faced attacks and frequent power outages.

“As Americans, we really need to think of our values," Fowler said. "If we value freedom here, we have to value freedom everywhere. It’s worth it to fight and push for it.”

Officials say fundraising efforts are underway to help the students to continue their education. They say the skills they learn will ultimately be used to assist Ukraine.

“They are accumulating some really vital experience that will help in the rebuilding of their country," said Dr. Martin Blackwell, a visiting professor of history. "They all pledged to go back there and help Ukraine get back on its feet.” 

Shchur said she plans to use her economics degree back home to assist Ukraine as it recovers.

Stetson University officials say they plan to use fundraising dollars to keep Ukrainian students enrolled for the 2023-2023 school year.

For more information, visit the Ukraine Student and Faculty Support Fund page on the Stetson University website.