Sofiia Kurchay
S. Kurchay - Studying for a day rebuilding
¾«¶«Ó°Òµ Image Focus
Sofiia Kurchay is studying civil engineering at the Department of Environmental Construction and Design (DACD). Having moved to Switzerland in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, she dreams of rebuilding her country in the future.
What school are you from and how did you get to know ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ?
I was studying at the in Kiev, Ukraine. In 2022, because of the war, my life changed. I left home, family, friends and the university and came to Ticino. It was not easy, I had to reprogramme my future. The meeting with ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ was natural: I wanted to continue my education in the field of civil engineering and so, after an internship at and an intensive Italian language course, in September 2022 I started my education at ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ.
The most interesting course you have taken to date?
I don't have a preference. At ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ, however, I really enjoy working on coordinated projects where we can apply all the knowledge acquired during the semester to our work.
The twenty minutes at ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ that you will never forget?
I will always remember my first visit to the Department of Construction Environment and Design: on that day, the second-year Bachelor students in Civil Engineering took me on a campus tour, I attended a few lectures immersing myself in the studio atmosphere and made my first acquaintances here. I was thrilled.
What would you like to wish your fellow students?
I am very grateful to my classmates for their invaluable support and I wish us all to do well in our exams and enjoy these years of education.
In addition to teaching knowledge, what skills do you think you will acquire in the Civil Engineering degree course?
Definitely the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete projects as well as the ability to work in a team.
​â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹
At the end of your studies, what do you have in mind for your future?
I don't have any specific plans yet, but after my bachelor's degree I would like to continue my studies by attending a master's degree and then start working in my field.
​â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹
What is your dream in the drawer?
I have always wanted to build something new. Today my dream is to be able to contribute to the reconstruction of Mariupol, my hometown, when the war is over.