‘Four years ago I arrived in Wales’: Ukranian refugee graduates with MA from Cardiff Met

After fleeing the war in Ukraine, a Cardiff Metropolitan student rebuilt her life in Wales, and graduated with a master’s degree.

Vira Scherbakova, who grew up in Kharkiv, Ukraine, was forcibly relocated in 2022 due to the conflict.

She has since successfully graduated with an MSc in Health Psychology from Cardiff Metropolitan University, having balanced her studies with employment and family.

Now residing in Chepstow with her husband and two children, Vira is set to start a new position as a mental health practitioner for youths in the NHS.

Supporting her family in Ukraine as a practicing psychologist, they decided to migrate to safety and leave home after the invasion of February 2022.

Vira said to Nation Cyrmu: “When the full-scale invasion began, my family spent six days hiding in a basement without electricity, water or any certainty about what would happen next.

“Like many Ukrainians, we arrived in the United Kingdom facing an uncertain future and the challenge of rebuilding our lives.

“What I did not know then was that Wales would become not only a place of safety, but a place of opportunity, support and belonging.”

At first, Vira and her family found the adjustment challenging. Forced displacement stole not only her home but her professional status and identity, whilst her children navigated a new language, school system and culture.

She reflected: “Watching them struggle was one of the hardest parts of our journey.”

During her first week living in Wales, she began work as a yoga instructor. She then became a Pupil Engagement Officer supporting young people, and then as a RISE Advisor working with women suffering from trauma and domestic abuse.

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Whilst balancing family life and work, Vira returned to education for her Master’s; an MSc in Health Psychology at Cardiff Met.

She said: “Studying was one of the greatest challenges of my life: There were evenings spent studying after putting my children to bed, early mornings preparing assignments before work, but each challenge strengthened my determination.”

For Vira’s dissertation, she investigated the facilitators and obstacles toward mental health and psychosocial support for Ukrainian women living in the UK, affected by the war.

She explained: “This research was deeply personal. Through listening to other displaced women, I learned that recovery is not only about physical safety. People need understanding, trust, culturally sensitive support and, above all, a sense of belonging.

“The research highlighted how language barriers, financial pressures, stigma and uncertainty can prevent access to support, while kindness, strong community connections and services in a person’s own language can make a profound difference.”

After graduating, she began a new role as a Youth Mental Health Practitioner in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and said: “This role represents rebuilding my professional identity and transforming lived experience into meaningful support for others.

“I am deeply grateful to everyone who has helped me at Cardiff Met, especially my tutor Dr Heidi Seage and my supervisor Dr Mike Wells, and to my family – my husband, Vadym, and my children, Mykyta and Milana – who shared every challenge and achievement.

“Four years ago, I arrived in Wales searching for safety. Today, I graduate with resilience, belonging and a new beginning.”

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Featured image via LinkedIn and Wikimedia Commons