Education as emotional support: coping, connection and resilience among Ukrainian students in wartime

This study examines the emotional and psychological responses and coping strategies of Ukrainian students during the first two years of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Participants included bachelor students from National Technical University of Ukraine ‘Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute’ who engaged in reflective writing as part of the Ibunka international virtual exchange project in 2022 and 2023. Through quantitative content analysis of 94 written reflections, the study explores the emotional and psychological responses and coping strategies of Ukrainian students during this aggression. Findings highlight the range of emotional responses – including fear, grief, anger, hope, and resilience – and demonstrate how reflective writing and peer interaction can support students’ coping and psychological well-being during wartime. Theoretically, the research contributes to the growing body of education in emergencies literature, while practically, it highlights key aspects of trauma experiences that educators should be mindful of when designing and facilitating instruction in similar contexts.