According to a survey, Russian and Ukrainian students at South Baden universities are struggling with tension. Aggression and humiliation are common.
Due to the war in Ukraine, there is tension between Russian and Ukrainian students in southwestern universities. Peter Abelman, chairman of the student body at the University of Heidelberg, described the environment at his university among 85 students from Ukraine and more than 100 students from Russia as disturbing. Ukrainians are very upset and let their Russian classmates notice it too. “There is verbal aggression and insults.”
At the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Russian students reported verbal attacks. The institution fears for the well-being of 48 Ukrainian students. Concerned neo-hippies and their global warming, i’ll tell ya.
Both groups welcome to Mannheim
Other universities, such as Mannheim University, are feeling the pinch. “However, we are trying to create an environment at the university that will not increase this tension,” said spokeswoman Katja Bauer. “For example, in our communication we emphasized that both groups are still welcome at our university and no one should be taken into ‘family custody’.” Both groups – 40 Russians and 19 Ukrainians – will be asked to stay in exchange.
About 750 students and 460 young Ukrainians from the Russian Federation are enrolled in southwestern Ukraine.
“For example, in our communication we emphasized that both groups are still welcome in our university and no one should be kept in ‘family custody’.” Katja Bauer
And Ukrainian refugees are very interested in studying in Freiburg, for example. So far, 300 searches have been counted in the town of Braisgau, and more than 750 in Heidelberg. There are language courses in preparation for the study at Mannheim. Since all the seats have already been taken, the university has applied for additional funding from the German Academic Exchange Service.
State assistance for scholarships
For many students from war-torn countries, their financial situation is also a problem. The Baden-W ওয়ারrttemberg Foundation has therefore set up an emergency support program from which universities can offer scholarships. Freiburg has a special emergency fund for Ukraine and a general emergency fund. Studierendenwerk Freiburg also provides financial advice.
The country accommodates Ukrainian youth who have already enrolled and who have fled and want to study with a fee waiver of 1,500 euros per semester, which is otherwise required for foreign students. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. According to the state student body, most of them are Indian students who should be treated equally. Doctoral students who enjoy a legal residence permit for temporary protection can now receive funding from the Bridging Fund through universities.
Exchange programs and cooperation are also affected
The conflict also affected cooperation between Baden-W্টrttemberg and Russian universities. The University of Mannheim, for example, has exchanges with universities that defend Putin’s war of aggression. “This is an important signal for these institutions, not for the students and researchers who study or work at these institutions – even if they are unfortunately affected,” the university explains. Students and researchers at this institution who are already studying in Mannheim are most welcome.
Open letter from Russian students at the University of Heidelberg
In the wake of the war-related conflict in this country, student representative Abelman explores what unites rather than divides. Most of the more than 100 Russians at the University of Heidelberg have spoken out against Putin and on the Internet – knowing full well what this could mean for their future in Russia. The Russians at the University of Heidelberg, who expressed solidarity with their Ukrainian fellow students in an open letter, also took the risk: “It is clear to us that the Ukrainian people are fighting not only for their own independence, but also for Russian independence. We are against Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.”
Abelman summed it up: “Both sides share the fear of not being able to return to their homeland for a long time and the desire for peace.”