A MAN who ran for his life with just a single bag when his home country of Ukraine was invaded to keep his dream of studying psychology alive has now graduated with a master’s at Coventry University.
Anuoluwapo Ojo, known as Anu, received his offer letter from Coventry University just two days before the war with Russia broke out.
On February 24, 2022, Anu was woken up by the sound of bombs devastating his neighbourhood of Irpen, near Kyiv.
Anu said Russia’s invasion ‘shattered his whole world’ and, fearing for his life, he had to run from his home.
He added: “I had only seen wars and missle shots in movies, but I saw it with my own eyes. However, I am grateful that I was able to escape.
“The airport and railway stations were closed, so the only way out was by car, heading for the Ukraine-Polish border.
“The roads were jammed as everyone was trying to escape and what should have taken ten hours turned into more than 24.
“We then had to leave the car and walk, finding our way through the fields and after a long and tough trip, we crossed into Poland.”
Anu spent around four months travelling from Poland to Belgium via Germany trying to gain refugee status.
After settling as a war refugee in the Netherlands, Anu deferred his place at Coventry University and took up part-time jobs to raise the money needed to fulfil his dream.
He added: “It took me a few months and I worked pretty hard, but I made sure that I didn’t give up hope.
“Having gone through the trauma of war, you just want some sort of respite.
“The house I lived in was bombed. I literally left Ukraine with just a bag; no clothes, nothing.
“There were of course moments where I felt down, but I had a very good support system around me.”
When Anu finally got to Coventry, he combined his master’s with studying for his medical licence so he could practice medicine in the UK.
He now plans to stay in the UK and use his degree to land a dream role.
Anu added: “There’s no mountain too high, there’s no obstacle that can’t be overcome and so with my willpower, with my determination and the strong support system I had around me, I am here today as a master’s graduate.”
