It is Andreas Hopf's sixth trip to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. This time, the journey goes to Lutsk, where he is invited to the university to run a course in design management and product development.

The University of Lutsk has around 12,000 students and both they and the teachers Andreas Hopf meets are motivated and eager to connect with Europe in order to create a prosperous future for their country. Andreas Hopf has therefore been invited to teach students who attend an EU-funded bachelor's programme in international relations and business.

Several differences, but also many similarities

Teaching in Ukraine is challenging for several reasons, and it is important to be inventive says Andreas Hopf while reflecting on what differs from his usual job at LTH.

"The standard is not quite at the same level as I am used to, which is understandable since the country is at war, so sometimes I have to improvise. For example, I have used flipchart paper on the windows to block out the sunlight, so that the students can see the images from the projector.

Other challenges that Andreas Hopf mentions are the language, since not everyone speaks English, and that they have a different view of breaks.

“They have short breaks between lectures, but no regular lunch break as I am used to.”

He continues to describe that despite the country being at war, it is very similar to our everyday life in Lund, which makes it possible to feel at home.

"Despite all the differences in culture and infrastructure, the atmosphere on campus is surprisingly similar to that at LTH when it comes to daily activities. The students in Lutsk play ping pong to relax, just like our students in Lund do.”

Andreas Hopf visits Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University in Lutsk.

Top left: Andreas Hopf with Anatolii Tsos, the university's vice-chancellor and Professor Andrii Boiar. Bottom left: 2000 new students are welcomed to the university at the beginning of the semester. Top right: Ping pong match in the lobby of the university building. Bottom right: Andreas Hopf lectures to Ukrainian students.

The war makes itself felt

Andreas Hopf takes big risks with every trip he makes to Ukraine. When he visits Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, several buildings have been destroyed in a Russian missile assault the night before he arrives. And death is constantly present in different ways.

"Sometimes we interrupt lectures to stand up for a few minutes' silence, when a convoy of dead soldiers from the region passes by on the way to their final resting place at the cemetery."

Andreas Hopf goes on to talk about how the people he meets cope with the stressful situation they find themselves in.

"Their concern grows every time the war makes itself felt nearby, but so does their determination and strength to resist. After spending a night underground taking cover from Russian attacks, they carry on as usual the next day, almost as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened. The residents are doing what they can to handle the situation."

Could be more trips

What for Andreas Hopf began as a sense of moral responsibility to support Ukraine after Russia's invasion, has evolved into a long-term commitment to university students in the war-torn country.

"I plan to continue traveling to Ukrainian universities to support them – for as long as it is needed and possible.”

Andreas Hopf hands over medical supplies to Andrii Ivanovich Poruchynski, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University in Lutsk, for forwarding to the University Hospital.