A student has been reunited with her mum after she made a "harrowing but inspirational" journey from her homeland Ukraine to watch her daughter graduate at Lancaster University.
There were smiles and tears all round on Thursday when Anna Bila's mum Inna attended her graduation after travelling 2,000 miles from the war-torn country.
Anna who lived, worked and studied in Kyiv when the war started, was overjoyed to share graduation day with her mum who arrived in Lancaster following numerous visa complications, 22 hours by train from her home in central Ukraine and a flight, to be with her daughter.
““Even two years ago I couldn’t even imagine that this is possible,” said Anna,who achieved an MSc in Business Analytics with a Merit.
On the first day of the war, Anna recalled waking up at 5am to the sound of explosions.
With her family far away in central Ukraine it was, she said, terrifying.
“Thankfully our house wasn’t physically damaged,” she said.
"But emotionally we all got a lot of damage. Even though now I am in a safe place I am still afraid of certain sounds.”
Anna was in Kyiv studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Banking at Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics, had a job as a data analyst and, simultaneously, started her Masters studies in Banking Business Management at the same university.
Her mother and family successfully reached out to find people who could help Anna leave Kyiv but she had to cross the whole city to reach them.
Eventually after walking for miles and asking for lifts she met them and, with seven people and two dogs packed in one small car, she successfully made the journey to stay with relatives a further away from the conflict area.
The initial days, she said, were "extremely scary" with low-flying aircraft sparking almost constant air raid warnings. Two months later she left for Prague where she was able to continue her studies.
Friends, who had moved to the UK, spoke positively about the experience and Anna decided to make the move.
“I worked as an analyst and wanted to further develop my analytical skills and explore new opportunities and Lancaster University seemed like the ideal place for this,” she said.
“I discovered that the University already had some Ukrainian students and they provided a ‘campus tour’ and shared positive feedback about their experience.”
A challenging whirlwind of preparations then ensued with Anna gaining her English language certification, securing a loan for tuition fees and successfully achieving a scholarship from Lancaster University.
She juggled studies at both Kyiv and Lancaster Universities together with a remote commercial analyst job for a fashion company in Ukraine, to top up her student loan.
She then got a promotion to head up the firm’s commercial department and with that came the training of four new employees in her department and many late nights in business meetings.
“The last year was stressful but filled with support from amazing people,” she said.
“It was a strange experience in many ways - managing daily life while hearing about the danger my family faced from night missile attacks or my friends losing their homes - and you want to help and support but also you have an exam the next day.
“And it is extremely sad and worrying when your mom calls you and tells you not to worry if they don’t answer for a couple of days because they have no electricity.
"You do really worry about them. The video calls we managed to have were precious. Each moment spent talking to them was appreciated even more.”
And what really helped was all the support she received while living and studying in Lancaster.
“Everyone has been incredibly supportive,” she said.
“From friends and neighbours to lecturers and course co-ordinators, everyone has extended a helping hand. I’m thankful I was so lucky to meet all these people.”
The MSc course at the University’s Management School was, said Anna, really valuable and the modules on Marketing Analytics, Data Visualisation and Operational Research were particularly enjoyable and informative.
She praised her supervisor, Dr Nicos Pavlidis, for his ‘amazing support and understanding’ during her research challenges together with the whole lecture team including Dr Ahmed Kheiri and Professor John Boylan.
Lodgings were with Professor Claire Nance, from the Department of Linguistics, who, said Anna, had provided the "warmest support" and whose family had really helped her feel "at home".
But, at times, when things were just too overwhelming, Anna explained how she found help and support from both the University’s student mental health team and the University’s Ukrainian Society.
“They are dedicated to providing all the support they can and it means you don’t have to face challenges by yourself,” she explained.
And looking to the future, Anna, who is now currently working as a data analyst for a clinical research company, is keen to put into practice what she has learned at Lancaster University while supporting Ukraine through donations, aid and sharing cultural knowledge.
She plans to return to Ukraine in due course, as her homeland is where her heart is.
Police issue quicksand warning after riverbank danger for school pupils in Lancaster
Lancaster animal shelter launches 'Big Build' fundraiser to help save charity
LISTEN: Morecambe "definitely submitting a bid" to become first UK Town of Culture
Heysham Port upgrade blamed for traffic chaos 'trapping residents in their homes'
LISTEN: Tourism champs hail Eden Project and Tour de France as huge for Morecambe Bay area
Donation helps college pan ability football team to play in national championships
LISTEN: Meet the new manager of the Midland Hotel in Morecambe
LISTEN: Main contractor to build Eden Project Morecambe to be announced this month
£1.2m of funding for flood defence schemes in Lancaster district announced
Morecambe Bay hospital trust unveils new painless blood test
Thousands raised to help boost return of Lancaster Music Festival
High street computer games shop in Lancaster closes down
LISTEN: Carnforth actor wins Hollywood and Paris awards for horror film role
"1600 potholes repaired last week" says councillor as roads debate rumbles on
Burger King takeaway in Lancaster city centre closes down
Morecambe lifeboat crew reunite dog lost on sands with owner
New Morrisons Daily supermarket opens in Morecambe
Council investigate after derelict food trailer found dumped in Lancaster layby
Man charged after pedestrian died in Morecambe hit and run
LISTEN: We go out on Pothole Patrol in Morecambe
