Mariia Mylohorodska is a project coordinator at DVV International’s office in Ukraine. Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, she shares how – amid war and uncertainty – she and many other Ukrainians found strength in learning.
Our world changed in an instant
On February 24, 2022, the war didn’t ask if we were ready – it simply arrived at our doorstep. Like millions of Ukrainians, I woke up to a different reality – one filled with fear, uncertainty, and pain. My psyche switched to survival mode, but I managed to stay afloat thanks to the structured work I was familiar with and my responsibility to my family and our partners, as the DVV International Ukraine office in Kyiv continued to operate without interruption.
My mind refused to engage with what had once helped me relax – music, movies, or books. Instead, my entire informational and psychological landscape was shaped by news feeds in Telegram groups, endless updates, and constant monitoring of the situation. In this chaos, finding any support or sense of stability was difficult.
Salvation in knowledge: How learning became my anchor
Once the initial shock of the war subsided, I started looking for ways to maintain some semblance of normalcy in my life. The first thing that came to mind was seeking psychological support. Fortunately, in 2022, many online courses and support groups were available, often free or for a small fee. I enrolled in a course on psychological self-care. Over time, I noticed that structured learning – with a teacher and a group – helped me emotionally and provided a much-needed distraction.
During the first year of the war, I completed several psychology and art therapy courses. In the second year, I studied the history of Ukrainian literature and took up pencil drawing. Some of these lessons took place in bomb shelters, corridors, or bathrooms during shelling and air raids. This became a form of “medicine” for me: learning something new gave me a sense of control over my life and the opportunity to grow and plan for the future, even amid chaos.
Not just me: Why Ukrainians turned to learning during war
In the first few months of the full-scale war of Russian against Ukraine, it became clear that I wasn’t the only one using learning as a coping mechanism. My colleagues and friends also sought support through knowledge – many enrolled in online psychological support groups offered by our partner adult learning and education centers. Over time, they resumed language studies, acquired new professional skills, and developed their hobbies. This not only provided a distraction but also allowed them to feel productive and maintain structure in their everyday lives.
The role of education became apparent on a societal level as well. Ukrainians signed up for free online courses and accessed educational platforms that had opened their resources. The demand for knowledge increased sharply, reinforcing what I had experienced personally: education is not just about acquiring new skills – it’s a way to maintain psychological balance in times of crisis.
Education without borders: How Adult Learning and Education Centers withstand the war
Despite the war, DVV International partner organizations in Ukraine continued and even expanded their activities. The demand for learning did not decline – courses quickly filled up, and at times, competition for spots was fierce.
Programs offering psychological support, first aid training, and professional retraining became especially popular. Equally important were courses in personal development, the arts, civic education, and languages. These programs not only equipped people with new competencies but also fostered a sense of community, helping them cope with the war’s challenges.
Real-life stories further highlight the importance of education in these trying times. For instance, Dmytro Kutsenko, a veteran who studied at the Adult Education Center in Nikopol, won a business grant and revived his family’s cherry orchard. Halyna Bilous, after taking psychology courses at the CE Network of Education Centers in Lviv, applied her knowledge to develop her business. Nataliia Maltseva, an internally displaced person, studied at the Adult Education Center of the Poltava Region and won a grant to launch a business producing dietary sweets. Olena Smereka, an online course participant at the Adult Education Center ‘First’ in Zaporizhzhia, discovered her inner strength and now conducts workshops and training sessions to help others. These are just a few of the many stories emerging from the adult learning and education centers partnered with DVV International Ukraine.
Lesson from war: Why learning is more than just knowledge
Learning is not a universal solution for overcoming the hardships of war, and it may not be effective for everyone. However, for many – including myself – it has become an essential anchor, helping to regain control over life, restore balance, and envision new possibilities.
And now, I am back to studying. I have to complete my homework for the communication course I started last week by Monday. Because even in the dark and terrifying times of war, life continues – and knowledge is what helps us move forward.