Ukrainian student’s experience fleeing war; discusses safety, mental health, and conditions for return.
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A Ukrainian student from Kharkiv, Maryna Svitlychna, recounts her experience during the start of the 2022 full-scale invasion when she realized war had begun due to building shaking. After surviving initial attacks by sheltering with a classmate’s family, she fled Ukraine in March and eventually settled in northern Italy through the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive while completing her Master’s degree. Despite achieving physical safety and pursuing education and internships, Svitlychna struggles emotionally with the ongoing conflict, the destruction of familiar places, and a growing feeling of isolation from those who seem uninterested in the war. She remains hesitant to return to Ukraine due to security concerns, economic instability, and the uncertain future, noting that true peace for her requires justice, accountability, and strong international guarantees against reoccupation.
