In a time when voices must be heard, the Voices of Courage project by ESN Ukraine steps forward as a testament to resilience, dreams, and determination. Voices of Courage is a project by ESN Ukraine that gives space to 20 Ukrainian students to share their journeys — stories of loss, resilience, adaptation, and hope. Each student reflects on how the war has affected their education and life, but also on the courage it takes to keep moving forward.

War, displacement, disrupted lives — these are not just headlines. They are realities lived by thousands of young Ukrainians. With Voices of Courage, ESN Ukraine wanted to give a platform to those whose stories are often hidden: students navigating conflict, balancing education with survival, seeing their futures threatened but refusing to surrender.

Each story is a thread in a broader tapestry: 20 diverse lives, each touched by war, yet each bearing its own hopes, struggles, and dreams. Together, they illustrate how resilience lives in everyday acts — applying for a scholarship, continuing remote studies, helping family, or simply holding onto hope.

The participants come from various regions, backgrounds, and disciplines. Some had to relocate multiple times. Some studied abroad and returned to support their communities. Some juggled part-time jobs with online lectures. Others volunteered, assisted in humanitarian aid, or became mentors for younger peers.

Each student was interviewed, photographed, and given space to reflect. What emerged were stories of:

  • Sacrifice: giving up comforts, family homes, or courses of study to adapt to war.
  • Adaptation: learning new ways to access education, often through online platforms or in new cities.
  • Solidarity: forming support networks among students, sharing housing, resources, or emotional support.
  • Vision: despite the chaos, many voice bold plans — rebuilding local communities, promoting educational reform, or working in research & development sectors to help Ukraine’s recovery.

One highlight post from ESN Ukraine’s Instagram page states:

“Semen’s memory will forever be an example of the struggles of his homeland, serving as a testament to the courage of the Ukrainian students.” (Instagram)

This underscores how the project wants to memorialize both the personal and collective acts of courage.

You can explore all 20 stories on our Instagram: @esn.ukraine

We are deeply grateful to the 20 brave students who trusted us with their stories. Your experiences enrich our collective understanding and fuel the momentum for change.

To our readers: read, share, reflect. Let these stories stir conversation, empathy, and action. And if you’re a student who wishes to share your voice — contact ESN Ukraine. Be part of Voices of Courage.

Together, we sew threads of hope into a tapestry stronger than adversity.