Identity of Ukrainian students in the conditions of war and existential search

author: Vladislava Zaichko

Urgency of the research. The war in Ukraine has had a profound impact on all aspects of life, particularly on the formation of personal identity among young people, especially students. The extreme conditions brought about by the war have led to existential crises, raising questions of self-determination, authenticity, and personal choice. The philosophical concepts of existentialism, particularly the ideas of Heidegger and Sartre, offer a deeper understanding of these processes and how external circumstances, such as war, can trigger identity transformation. This research is crucial in the context of modern Ukraine, as it aids in comprehending the war’s impact on the future generation and its role in societal reconstruction.

Target settings. There is a necessity of philosophical comprehension of how the war in Ukraine affects the identity of students who are living in the conditions of existential crisis. The war radically changes life realities, forcing students to rethink their individual and collective identities, putting them before the choice between adapting to new conditions and preserving their authenticity. The problem lies in the fact that in the conditions of constant threat and unrecognizability of the war students face the need not only for physical survival, but also for spiritual self-recognition, which leads to a deep crisis of personal values. This phenomenon needs to be studied through the prism of existential philosophy, particularly Heidegger's ideas about “throwing away” and “becoming”, as well as Sartre's concept of conscious choice.

Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. Important in the context of our research are the works of scientists such as V. Andrushchenko and D. Svyridenko, who analyze in detail academic mobility and its role in the transformation of higher education in Ukraine under conditions of globalization. On the other hand, research by Z. Bakum and I. Dyrda focuses on the problems of language training of international students in Ukraine. An important contribution to the understanding of the philosophical aspect of identity is made by M. Heidegger and J.-P. Sartre, who explore the concepts of authenticity, becoming, and choice in crisis conditions — modern research by B. Bond and J. Knight focus on the impact of internationalization on student identity, emphasizing the importance of intercultural communication and adaptation.

The research objective. The article aims to study the processes of identity transformation of Ukrainian students in the conditions of war and to analyze their self-awareness through the philosophical concepts of existentialism.

The statement of basic materials. The study focuses on the philosophical understanding of the identity transformation of Ukrainian students under the influence of the war. Existential crises caused by war force students to rethink their values and self-definition in the face of uncertainty and threat. According to Heidegger’s concepts, war becomes “abandonment” when students are forced to act in unpredictable conditions that radically change their life plans. It can also be interpreted through Sartre’s ideas about freedom of choice and personality formation through students’ conscious decisions in crises. An important component of the internationalization of education is language preparation and adaptation of international students, which strengthens their ability to integrate into new educational and cultural contexts, as noted by Bakum and Dyrda.

Conclusions. The war significantly impacts the formation of the identity of Ukrainian students, leading to existential crises and compelling them to reconsider their values and choices in challenging circumstances. The use of philosophical concepts from Heidegger and Sartre provides a deeper understanding of the processes of self-determination in crisis conditions. Simultaneously, the internationalization of education, particularly through academic mobility and language training, plays a crucial role in overcoming these challenges. It helps students adapt to new cultural and educational environments, thereby strengthening their ability to integrate and thrive.

Keywords: identity, existential crisis, internationalization, academic mobility, self-determination

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