>> More than 7 million people
have fled Ukraine since the
fighting broke out in February.
Among them, nearly 80,000
foreign students, most from
developing nations.
Although Ukraine is better known
as one of the top agricultural
producers, it has also become a
hub for higher education.
Indian nationals account for
about a quarter of foreign
students enrolled in Ukraine.
They now face an uncertain
future.
>> It is a special Friday lunch,
a traditional punjabi meal.
But this families only dollar
hoping in the kitchen should
really be here.
Just over three months ago, she
was sending him images from
Ukraine, where she was in the
middle of 30 year of medical
school.
She was assured there would be
no conflict just hours before it
actually began.
>> Every two or three hours
there are sirens.
We have to go to the bunkers.
>> They planned their escape.
>> We were all afraid about
everything.
I contacted with my agent and we
took a bus to Romania.
We were dropped off 20
kilometers before the border.
>> They walked 12.5 miles in
frigid to pictures to the
Romanian border.
I like thousands of fleeing
Ukrainians, the Indian students
were not allowed to pass.
>> They said we will not let you
pass.
They will let locals pass and
then we will let you cross.
We had to wait one night.
We were lighting a fire so we
could get some warmth.
>> The group returned hours
later desperate to try their
luck again.
>> We were pushing.
I crossed the border.
When I turned, nobody was there
with me.
>> It was several days until she
was able to join thousands of
others in an evacuation
organized by the Indian
government.
>> I was not able to breathe
properly until she came back.
>> Her mother said relief has
given way to worry.
That three years of medical
education they can barely afford
could now be wasted.
>> It has always been her dream.
It has been difficult.
We took out loans to help her to
study.
We are worried about what will
happen in the future.
>> It is extremely competitive
to get into public medical
universities.
It is prohibitively expensive
and private ones.
It costs one third in Ukraine.
Since her unexpected return, she
has continued to hang onto a
semblance of normalcy.
As has her school.
With online instruction.
This doctor is one of her
professors in pharmacology.
I spoke briefly to her over a
shaky video connection.
>> Where I live now is the most
calm part of Ukraine.
>> One benefit of the pandemic
is it familiarized teachers and
students with working online.
She says today among the war it
is a lifeline.
>> It takes me out from this
horrible scene.
It helps me to keep the normal
way of life.
>> It keeps you from going crazy
just all the time?
>> Yes.
It keeps me from going crazy.
>> She is grateful to attend
online, something not available
are all you any and medical
schools.
But she worries about missing a
critical component of her
medical education, clinicals.
>> When we are practicing in
person, we are able to see the
patients.
Now we cannot do so.
>> She hopes the gap can be
filled in India.
She is among 6000 students in a
group pull together on the
social messaging app telegram.
They have been lobbying
government officials at federal
and state levels to allow the
transfer into Indian medical
schools.
>> It has been a long time.
>> The supreme court has ordered
the national medical council to
develop plans to accommodate
students forced to return from
about -- abroad.
It is a heavy lift.
Curriculums are structured
differently.
And there is the sheer number
and space.
Medical schools are at their
enrollment limit.
>> For every 17 students who
appeared for the national
entrance exam, there is only one
medical seat.
>> He hopes the plight of the
Ukraine returnees forces the
country to sharply increase the
number of doctors it produces.
>> In India, it is nine per
100,000.
>> Is ironic that India is such
a major exporter of medical
doctors.
>> Unfortunately, that is true.
>> A study showed that 69,000
Indian medical school graduates
now practice medical in the
U.S., Canada, the U.K., and
Australia.
They get better pay compared to
what is available in India.
A question for students like her
is graduate from where and when?
>> We are going back in
September, according to them.
>> And according to you?
>> I do not know.
I don't think it is possible
right now to go back.
>> This pharmacology professor
reflects the resolve heard
frequently from the leaders of
Ukraine.
>> Our army will overcome.
Students may come back.
In September I hope we will see
each other.
>> They are due back in
September for a critical final
exam in Ukraine which must be
taken in person, one that
determines if she will move on
to the fourth of her six year
course.
>> A quick note that this
reporting is in partnership with
the under told stories project
at the university of St. Thomas
in Minnesota.