The 10-week online course “Ukrainian Language, Culture and History” for foreign students and staff of partner institutions has been completed. It was held within the framework of the associated partnership between Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy and the European University Alliance E³UDRES², in close cooperation with Old Dominion University (USA) and on the initiative of the International Relations Office.

The online course was designed and taught from October 6 to December 9, 2025, by Anzhela Irzhavska, Associate Professor of the Department of World History and International Relations. The intensive programme aimed to familiarise foreign students and lecturers with the history, culture, traditions, and customs of Ukraine, to provide instruction at an elementary level of Ukrainian language proficiency, and to shape an understanding of ​​Ukrainian national identity. Course participants enthusiastically and with great interest engaged with the content and successfully mastered the course modules. The atmosphere of interaction with the participants was special: impressed by the resilience of the Ukrainian people in the conditions of war, they expressed sincere and comprehensive support for Ukraine in the fight against the aggressor.

The course concluded with the awarding of certificates and the receipt of feedback from the participants of the “Ukrainian Language, Culture and History” course:

“Dear Professor Anzhela,

I would like to tell you that I really enjoyed the Ukrainian language and culture course.

There has been a large Ukrainian community in Portugal since the 1990s. The Ukrainian community in Portugal has more than 60,000 people and here at the Polytechnic University of Setúbal we have had several students from Ukraine.

But although we have some proximity to Ukraine because of the large community living in Portugal, the truth is that we don’t know much about your country. Secondary school history and geography programs say very little about Eastern European countries, their language and culture. When it comes to Ukraine, everyone knows about Chernobyl and little else.

Ukraine was seen as being quite like Russia, although since the war began, there is now a different view. Even so, we have no idea about your history and culture, and especially about your people and the difficulties they have had to endure in order not to be swallowed up by Russia. What the russians call nazis are just people who want to preserve their identity and their roots. They want to live their lives freely and make their own decisions.

Thank you for showing us the soul of Ukraine!

I hope that soon, in peace, I will be able to do an Erasmus program at Cherkasy University and meet you in person and give you a big hug.

Thank you for your strength and resilience, Ukraine will be free!

Слава Україні! Stay Safe!

Cumprimentos, Isabel Nunes”

“Merry Christmas, Professor!

Thank you again for a wonderful class.

I wish you, your family, and all of Ukraine a blessed holiday.

Your student and friend, Shannon”

“Dear Anzhela,

Thank you very much. For the certificate but especially for your dedication to the course.

I do hope that things improve in your country because now I became even more curious in visiting it at some point.

Kind regards, Raquel Barreira”