One day, war came to my country, and like most Ukrainians, I had to leave Ukraine.
I remember that day vaguely. At first, I thought it was a cruel joke. But when I turned on the TV, it quickly became clear there was nothing to joke about.
On March 2nd, my mom called and told me there was a chance to leave the country the next day. It took me the entire night to make the decision because I had no idea what awaited me where I was going. On March 3rd, we boarded a train, and after a long journey, we finally arrived in Belgium on March 7th.
For the first two years, I lived in Brussels, where I actively studied Dutch. Surprisingly, I picked it up quickly at first. However, since Brussels is predominantly a French-speaking city, practicing the language proved to be a challenge. Thankfully, Belgium offers plenty of language courses and events for those eager to learn the local languages.
During my time in Brussels, I made many new friends, got to know the city well, and learned a lot of the language — or so I thought. Then came the time for change.
In August 2024, I applied to Karel de Grote University College in Antwerp and was accepted. This marked the beginning of a new chapter—and another move.
In September, I moved into a student dormitory in Antwerp, a city often called the second capital of Belgium. It's a large and beautiful city, rich in history and stunning architecture. Antwerp is also a Dutch-speaking city, which brings me joy every time I hear familiar phrases on the streets.
Over the past few years, my life has turned completely upside down.
I've faced challenges and fears along the way, but I'm grateful for the experiences that have shaped me.
Every step I've taken has brought me closer to my goals.
While I'm proud of what I've accomplished so far, I know my journey is far from over.
I'm determined to keep moving forward, learning, and growing—one step at a time.