A woman who fled the war in Ukraine four years ago has graduated from the University of Sunderland with a LLM Masters of Laws, with a Distinction.
Vikki Ishcheriakova, had a successful career in Ukraine as a solicitor, but when the war broke out life became very difficult and she had to take the difficult decision of leaving some of her family and escaping the violence to protect her daughter.
Celebrating her achievement, she told ITV News Tyne Tees: “It could be just in my dreams. I never, ever could even imagine that me, in a different country, graduating with Masters in Law with a distinction, yeh, I’m really proud.
“So, it’s a really, really exciting moment for me and my family. In Ukraine I was a lawyer for 20 plus years, so I had my legal experience and licence to practice as a solicitor in Ukraine, but here, when I came here I realised that I can’t get any legal job without UK qualification and work experience, so this is my first step towards a legal career here in the UK.”
Ms Ishcheriakova said receiving the degree will be a bitter sweet moment, knowing that members of her family are still living in the war zone.
She said: “It was a very horrible time. When you hear sirens every day and every night, and you want to hide your family, your child, and you don’t know where and like when the next missile, and where, so we found some basement and nearly every night we spent nights in the shelters, so it was a difficult decision, but it was the right decision.
“Mental health and safety of my daughter is only the first place for me.”
Ms Ishcheriakova studied online for 60 hours a week, whilst holding down a learning support job at the university.
She added: “Last time I was studying it was 20 years ago, in a different language, so it was a bit difficult in the beginning, but I’m very motivated, and determined and confident so I’ve done it.
“I’m really happy we are here in Sunderland. The people who are here are very kind and supportive. I never felt as a stranger here from day one.
“If you are determined, confident and resilient, you will achieve your goals sooner or later.”
