Light of future
A Light in the Dark
Although most of my childhood and teenage years were spent in my hometown, Kyiv, I have been raised in a multicultural environment. For instance, I did my A-levels in an international school, which has made me a relatively confident English speaker. Nevertheless, I faced unexpected challenges when I came to the UK for further studies. First, being away from home in a completely new environment was highly stressful in itself. I felt like a stranger even among strangers. Hence, my nights were silent battles with insomnia, and my mornings were weighed down by anxiety and depression. These have led to physical symptoms, which were hard to deal with due to the lack of access to quality healthcare in the UK, especially as a migrant.
I have also had some bad experiences with the local Ukrainian community and thus felt even more isolated, as I didn't manage to acquaint myself with other expatriates in my new city. Every day felt like walking through fog, not knowing where the path would lead. As a recent graduate, I struggled to find a job in the UK that suited my qualifications both due to strict migration laws, which make employers reluctant to hire foreigners, and my limited knowledge of available assistance schemes for Ukrainians. The turning point came when I found the courage to ask the university staff for help. I received a deadline extension on my assessments, which reduced psychological stress and benefited my studies. As a result, I achieved an upper-second class bachelor's degree at a top university, giving me a competitive edge on the job market. Most importantly, after I voiced my concerns about housing as an international student, the accommodation administration began prioritizing young people from war-affected countries, including Ukraine Hence, my experience in the UK has made me realize that strength is not in enduring silently, but in reaching out. From isolation I learned resilience, and from asking I discovered community. Even in the darkest chapters, there can be sentences written in light and one open door could change the whole journey.
