Before February 24th, I was a recruiter in a Ukrainian agricultural company. I had a normal life and I really regret now that I didn’t appreciate the time I had in Ukraine. I spent time with friends, family and even thought about quitting my job. Now I realize that I had a wonderful life.
I remember the first morning of the invasion. I was in my apartment alone. I woke up at half past three in the morning to the sound of explosions. I couldn’t understand what it was. My work colleagues started texting me, and for a long time I couldn’t come to my senses and fall asleep because of the sound of the shock wave that shook the windows of my apartment. I started packing that day. The first explosions were heard at Mykolayiv airport. I spent the whole morning talking on the phone, thinking about what to do next. A few hours later, news began to appear that a “special operation”, a war, had begun. I was shocked. I went to work that day only because I was afraid to be alone. Then I decided to buy groceries in a store that was full of people. I filled up my car a few days before the invasion, so I had a full tank.
That day two of my bosses and colleagues were at work, one of them called me and told me to evacuate from the city. I then called my dad and told him that we had to go.
Many people in Ukraine were forced to evacuate to a safe place. Every day, since the beginning of the russian invasion, the south of Ukraine has been subjected to brutal terrorist attacks and shellings, due to which Yulia had to make the decision to evacuate to another country.
I had a long way to evacuate to Scotland. I heard the news about the visa program for Ukrainian refugees on March 18 and told my parents about it. First, I went to Poland to my friend, and then to Lithuania and Holland. I waited 24 days for a visa to come to Scotland and it was very difficult for me all that time. I even remember the moment when I thought of changing my mind and returning to Ukraine.
I arrived in Scotland on April 20th. I spent the first night in a hotel near the airport, where I was accommodated by volunteers, and the next day I was already in a house located in the city itself. It was something like a dormitory.
The Scottish Government, which sponsors a program to support Ukrainian refugees, provides professional help and volunteers for Ukrainians arriving in Scotland. Many Ukrainians need to quickly integrate into Scottish society and find new friends, conversation clubs and other opportunities for communication. Julia quickly found a job in Scotland and worked hard to secure a good future for herself. It is as important for her as finding new friends with whom she can communicate and spend time together.
Before the war started, I had been in Scotland twice: in 2019 and 2020 I worked on a farm near the city of Dundee. I was once in Edinburgh, too. I liked this city for its charming and ancient atmosphere. This is where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter. It inspires me a lot.
During the first week I visited the Ukrainian club in Edinburgh. Before that, I had met a Ukrainian girl, Nastya, who was born in Kherson and has been living in Edinburgh for over 3 years. She invited me to the Ukrainian club, where I had the opportunity to receive help and then help organize a banquet for Ukrainians. We helped in the kitchen. On the third day I found a job in Edinburgh. Before that, I wrote a post on Facebook that I was looking for a sponsor and the opportunity to start working. A woman who works as a regional manager of the OMNI group outsourcing company wrote to me in private messages. We talked for some time and discussed the conditions of my work. She even offered to help with housing.
I was happy that I found a job. It was important for me to get back to routine. I remember the first month of the full-scale war when I was just watching the news. I had a difficult relationship with my family back then. My life was just fading away. I made new friends in Edinburghб I am also friends with some co-workers outside of work.
There are many different people in Scotland. Edinburgh is a multinational city. I like that no one here cares that you are different. Everything is very quiet. I don’t worry if someone suddenly thinks that something is wrong with me. I feel free in this city, where people are particularly contrasting. It’s hard for me to talk about my plans. I just want to live in the present. I have small plans, but no big ones. Now I just work and enjoy life.
It is difficult for Yulia to talk about the war in Ukraine. Many of her friends and relatives remained in Ukraine, where there is fighting every single day. But she considers it important to talk about russian aggression every day and to support Ukraine. She also wants to wish strength to others who face the difficult decision of evacuating to another country.
When I talk about Ukraine, I feel incredible pain. I started every day with news and tears. My hometown, the city of Mykolayiv, is bombed every day. I have a friend there who recently had a baby. It’s so hard to imagine. I understand that she needs to be in a safe place.
I have colleagues, friends and family in Mykolayiv. I am extremely worried about everyone. I miss my city and the life that I had there. I think about it every day.
It is very important to talk about Ukraine. Because it is impossible to keep silent about the war in my country. I know I’m not doing enough, but I’m trying to tell everyone about the situation there. I had a case at work: a young Scottish woman announced that the war in Ukraine was over. I was surprised and told her that it was not. I showed her several videos of the shelling of the shopping center in Kremenchuk. I understand that she is not able to understand all the politics. But it is very important to talk about the war in Ukraine and explain it to people.
I want to wish patience to the girls fleeing the war to Scotland. Do not be sad. It is important to understand where you’re going and what you want. When you move to another country on your own, you have to rely on yourself. Keep your will, work and try everything yourself!
Support Ukraine now!
The full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine has been going on for 8 months. During this time, the russian occupiers destroyed and damaged a huge number of residential buildings. Millions of Ukrainians became refugees. Many Ukrainians found themselves under occupation. People do not have access to clean drinking water, quality communication, food and a safe place to live. You can support Ukrainians in need by following this link.
Translator: Zoriana Karpenko
