A Ukrainian Couple’s‌ Journey to Medical Careers in Spain

In September of last year, Artem panchenko and Yuliia Shevchenko embarked on a harrowing journey from Ukraine to Spain. their primary goals were twofold: to escape the ravages of war in their homeland and to pass the‍ MIR exam, which would allow them to⁣ advance their careers in medicine as an otolaryngologist and a gynecologist, respectively.

this past Wednesday, their hard⁢ work paid off when they were able to‌ choose their residency spots at ​Spain’s Ministry of Health, with rankings of 1,693 and⁣ 1,698—an almost miraculous coincidence that left them merely five numbers apart. This blessed alignment ‍enabled them to coordinate⁢ their choices and secure positions at two ‌hospitals in the same city, Seville.

The Long and Rocky Road to Spain

Their journey to Spain lasted six days, during which they were unable ‍to study‌ while on⁢ the road. ‌They recount their ⁣experience⁤ via video conference from Torrevieja (Alicante), the‌ first⁢ affordable location they ​could settle into on ​their way. ‍With just enough funds​ to ⁤sustain themselves for a few months, they were determined to execute a plan they had been formulating even‍ before the ​war broke out.

Artem and Yuliia, ⁣both‌ aged 29 and 28, fell in love with Spain⁢ back in 2019 during their honeymoon.They traveled through Barcelona, Madrid, and Málaga, which sparked their⁢ desire to return. Subsequently, they began the process of homologating their qualifications ​and started learning⁤ Spanish three years ago, using resources like the Instituto Cervantes from ‌their home in Dnipro,⁤ around 400 ⁣kilometers southeast ​of kyiv.

Challenges During War

Yuliia explained the difficulties of preparing for the MIR ⁣exam while still residing in Ukraine. Frequent power outages made it nearly unachievable to study. “we lived with ⁢the fear of bombing,” she noted,highlighting the constant anxiety that affected their ⁤daily lives. They were juggling their medical jobs—Yuliia as a gynecology ⁤resident and Artem working in an otolaryngology clinic—while studying for their ‍upcoming⁤ exam, which they noted is substantially more challenging than similar ⁤tests⁤ back ⁣in Ukraine.

They utilized various study materials, including online resources and social media, where other aspiring doctors shared insights and potential exam questions. Yuliia recalled a ⁤specific ⁣question she answered correctly thanks to an instagram post, while Artem faced the reality of the exam’s difficulty, ​feeling disappointed with his score despite extensive preparation.

Finding Their Place ‍in ‌the Medical ⁤Field

This year’s MIR exam was particularly tough,⁢ as noted by Jorge García Macarrón from the CTO academy, stating it was “the ⁢most arduous in history.” Artem’s experience echoed this, as he only narrowly passed the threshold of 130 points, a drop from his practice scores of 150 to 155.

Despite the challenges, both⁤ artem and Yuliia secured remarkable ‌placements, aiming​ for specializations they ​were already practicing back in Ukraine. Dermatology,​ though, was exceptionally competitive this year, ‍filling vacancies quickly.

The couple expressed their​ anxiety about securing spots in the same location, as they witnessed vacancies dwindling before their eyes. Fortunately, they found available positions in Seville, landing roles at two reputable hospitals: Artem in otolaryngology at ⁣Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío and Yuliia in gynecology at Hospital Universitario Virgen ⁤de Valme.

A Luminous Future Ahead

They had‌ never visited Seville ⁢before but are looking forward to embarking on their new chapter. “It’s a big city with strong hospitals where we can ​grow our careers⁢ and‌ engage in research,” they shared excitedly.

With their residency set to‍ commence within a⁢ month, they plan to explore their new home further—a crucial step ⁤in ⁢their transition to life in Spain. Though they have left⁣ family and a homeland⁢ filled with hardship behind,⁤ Artem and Yuliia are embracing the opportunities that⁤ await them. They aim to thrive in hospitals⁢ that foster their professional aspirations and potentially ‍continue their journeys where they ‌will be serving patients ⁢while‍ also building a life together.

### Sources
– El País. [Ukrainian couple flees war, passes MIR exam in Spain](https://elpais.com/sociedad/2025-05-10/el-matrimonio-de-medicos-ucranios-que-huyo-de-la-guerra-en-coche-aprobo-el-mir-en-espana-y-consiguio-plaza-en-la-misma-ciudad.html)