2026 DAAD Prize from TH Köln for Viktoriia Liushchenko

Liushchenko is currently pursuing a Master’s program in architecture at the Faculty of Architecture. Before beginning her studies at TH Köln, she attended the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in Kyiv, Ukraine. There, she began her bachelor’s degree in architecture in 2020 and, due to her strong academic performance, received a government scholarship after her first year. A teacher, who told Liushchenko about her daughter and her Architecture studies, inspired her to study Architecture. “Almost everyone spends a large part of their lives inside buildings. I’m particularly interested in how Architecture can create spaces that are comfortable and functional and make people’s everyday lives easier,” says Liushchenko.

From Kyiv to Cologne

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Liushchenko left her home country and continued her studies from Germany. She lived with a family in Lippstadt and worked there as an au pair. At the same time, she learned German and continued her studies online. “Sometimes I would go for a walk with the child, wearing headphones and listening to lectures at the same time,” she says. The family always supported her in her studies. “I was very lucky to be with this family,” says Liushchenko. She successfully completed her degree in 2024.

After an A1 language course, she attended an integration course for one year and completed it at the B1 level. To apply to TH Köln, she then took a C1 preparatory language course at the TH Köln’s Language Learning Center. “The course helped me a lot. Afterward, I could speak German really well and felt better prepared for my studies,” she says, looking back.

Upon arriving in Cologne, she benefited from various university services. For example, the Team International Degree-Seeking Students at the Department of International Affairs advised Ms. Liushchenko on her study options at TH Köln. At events such as the faculty’s International Night or a quiz night, she got to know other students—including those from other departments—and was able to discuss studying at the TH Köln and life in the city of Cologne. Liushchenko says that the guidance she received from the International Office of the Faculty of Architecture also helped her with questions regarding the recognition of her previous academic credits. She is now actively involved in a student group within the faculty and, for example, helped organize an event this year on the topic of a semester abroad.

Focus on Preserving Built Heritage

She chose to study at the Faculty of Architecture at TH Köln primarily because of the opportunity to select one of five specialization tracks. She chose “Preservation of Cultural Heritage and Planning in Context” “Many buildings in Ukraine are being destroyed by the war. What remains must be well preserved afterward,” explains Liushchenko. She hopes to one day apply Germany’s experience in dealing with historic buildings to the reconstruction of Ukraine.

What she finds particularly exciting about her specialization is how existing buildings can be further developed and preserved for continued use. “I think it’s a shame to tear down existing buildings and build new ones. Of course, not all buildings are in good condition. That’s why I’m especially interested in how to restore them and give them new life.” For her, the main goal is to preserve cultural heritage for future generations.

Liushchenko isn’t yet sure exactly what she’ll do after completing her Master’s program in 2028. She’d like to stay in Germany and could imagine working on projects related to Ukraine or completing a construction internship to gain experience in historic preservation across different federal states. For now, however, her studies are her top priority: “Because of the pandemic and the war, I didn’t really have a normal student life. I’d like to make up for that now.”

About the DAAD Prize

The DAAD Prize for outstanding achievements by international students and doctoral researchers is awarded once a year at TH Köln. The award is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the Federal Foreign Office.