"Two suitcases. That was all my daughters, and I had when we fled the horrors of war. My youngest was just three months old, and the older, three and a half years old. Cherkasy, our beloved city just an hour from Kyiv, had suddenly become a memory. Fear, uncertainty, and despair accompanied me every step of the way."

"Before the war, I was a dentist with my own practice in Ukraine and a bright future ahead of me. We had a home that we had lovingly renovated, along with dreams and plans. We were looking forward to a peaceful family life. But in one single day, everything was gone. We came to Slovakia—a country I chose because of my husband’s roots and my internship there a few years earlier. At first, I thought it would be a temporary refuge, that we would soon return home. But the war was not over, and I knew that my girls deserved to grow up in safety, in peace. They deserved a future."

"Starting over in a foreign country with two small children and minimal financial resources was incredibly hard. But fear became my greatest motivator. I had to provide for my daughters, no matter the cost. I learned Slovak on top of working, taking care of my children, and managing everything else. My older daughter, with childlike innocence, often guided me: "Mom, this is a tree," she would proudly tell me after picking up the words in kindergarten. After six months, I passed the Slovak language exam at level B1. But that wasn’t enough. I longed to return to my profession and feel useful again. I knew I needed to have my qualifications recognized.

That’s when I found the Migration Information Center (MIC). Their support was invaluable—not only with crucial information but also with financial contribution for a language course for doctors and for the costs of the supplementary exam. Without their help, the journey would have been far harder. It was a ray of hope in difficult times.

The path to rebuilding our lives hasn’t been easy. Paperwork, unclear information, and problems with the birth number. It was exhausting and frustrating. But I did not give up. With the support of MIC, new friends, and the kindness of Slovaks who extended a helping hand, I managed to persevere.

My journey is far from over. I’m currently working on having my specialization in maxillofacial orthopaedics recognized. I’m still learning and adapting to this new life. But I know one thing for certain: I am strong, and we will make it. I will do anything for my daughters. And thanks to MIC, I know I’m not alone on this path."

This story is part of the campaign by the IOM Migration Information Center Slovakia, "Together We Make Slovakia."

Find more information about the campaign here: INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY: IOM LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN - International Organization for Migration (IOM) Slovakia

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