Why 'Just Go Home' is Not an Option for African Students Fleeing War in Ukraine

Written By korrine sky

Why don't they just go home?" is a question that I find dismissive of the plight of refugees and overlooks the challenges that many refugees face when trying to rebuild their lives. As a refugee education activist advocating for African students who fled the war in Ukraine, I hear this question far too often.

We must not forget that African students who fled the war in Ukraine are victims. They did not cause the war nor did they choose to become caught up in it. They are entitled to equal support. Furthermore, many of these students come from complex backgrounds that many people operating from a place of privilege can never fully understand unless they tap into their compassion and humanity. It's important to remember that if it wasn't for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, these students would not be in this situation. As a society, we must do more to help.

For some, Ukraine was their home, and their passport or skin color does not discount that. Many of these students had spent a decade in Ukraine and were settled there in every sense, from language, friendships, family, career and homes. It's crucial that when we ask "why don't they just go home," we are not operating from a place of xenophobia and racism.

The fact is, many of these students have returned home, but they are still unable to continue their education due to various bureaucratic challenges. When I returned home to the UK, my government and universities told me they were unable to help me continue my education for a number of reasons associated with bureaucracy and systems that are often unsympathetic to the concept of fleeing war. I find this concerning considering that my government and universities have also given millions, if not billions, in aid to support Ukrainian refugees in and outside of the country.

Fehintola Moses Damilola, seen here on right with fellow students, had been in Ukraine since he was 17 (Courtesy of BBC)



Similarly, a number of Nigerian, Ghanaian, and South African students also returned home, only to be told that their degrees would not be recognized in their home countries due to the period of online learning. In South Africa, I was told not a single student has been able to reintegrate into South African universities and continue their education from home.

However, for the people who have remained in Europe, the question "why don't they just go home?" is not as simple as it may seem. Refugees face numerous challenges when trying to return home or start anew in a new country.

Take the example of Dr. Jessica, a recent graduate from Ukraine. Her temporary visa expires in a month unless she gets a skilled job. Although she is now a qualified doctor, job hunting without Dutch language skills has been a challenge. "My only options are to stay here or go back to Ukraine. Some people say: 'Why don't you just go back to Nigeria?' But they don't understand, that's easier said than done," Dr. Orakpo said, citing the country's worsening economic and healthcare systems. "I have a goal in life, I want to practice medicine," she said, adding that the security situation in Nigeria makes that a challenge. Getting a visa to return to Europe would be near impossible if she returned to Nigeria as having lived outside the country since 2016 she has no permanent address or bank account, she said. The experiences of Moses and Dr Jessica which were highlighted in the BBC’s : Ukraine War: What happened to the African students who escaped? are examples of this.

Moreover, Ukraine is responsible for why many students cannot go home. This is demonstrated through the refusal of giving student their transcripts and documents unless they return to Ukraine. The Ukraine ministry of Education has also requested medical students who are currently in their final year to return to Ukraine to write their Krok 2 exam, otherwise they will not be allowed to graduate, and their medical degrees will be held in Ukraine.

There are also individual and personal cases of students who are LGBTQ+ and are fearful to return home, orphans, those who come from poverty and being in Europe allowed them an opportunity to fund their studies whilst also supporting themselves and their families, or whose returning home will mean they are unable to continue with their education. It's clear that the reasons why refugee students cannot just "go home" are numerous and often complicated.

It's important to remember that refugees are people who have fled their homes due to war, violence, and persecution, often risking their lives to do so. The question "why don't they just go home?" overlooks the complex and often life-threatening circumstances that refugees face. Instead, we need to approach the refugee crisis with compassion, understanding, and a willingness to help.

We are calling on UNESCO, the Global Education Coalition, the European Commission, universities in Europe, Britain, the Irish States, Canada, the United States, and all countries and organizations that care about education to put in place a support package and scholarships for African students whose studies have been disrupted by the war in Ukraine so that we can continue with and finish our studies.

If you wish to support the plight of Africans who fled Ukraine you can do the following:

korrine sky
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