“We planned to leave Russia back in 2019. Our son intended to study in the Czech Republic, so we were looking for a nearby country. We considered the Czech Republic, Poland, and even Slovenia, but in the end, we chose Slovakia. Several factors influenced our decision—besides being close to our son, Slovakia offered affordable housing, GDP growth, and the prospect of a stable economy. We knew that adapting to a non-Slavic country at the age of 40 would be much more challenging."

"Back in 2020, I started preparing for a career as a truck driver, working towards the necessary driving licenses. Meanwhile, I continued working in a marketing company, where I’m still employed today. My wife, who previously worked in procurement, retrained as a hairdresser. We wanted to be sure that we would be able to support ourselves. Initially, we planned to move as a whole family, but life had other plans. Our son eventually decided to study at a university in St. Petersburg."

"I arrived in Slovakia in September 2022. My wife and daughter followed a few months later, after completing all the necessary documents for family reunification. Leaving was not easy—saying goodbye to our son was especially difficult. We were very lucky to find accommodation, as the real estate market was really complicated due to the war in Ukraine.

Fortunately, the (MIC) helped us a lot in that chaos. Even before our arrival, they provided us with valuable information about the process of obtaining a residence permit, required documents, and the possibilities for learning Slovak. We used their legal advice, online language courses, and later, financial contribution for the recognition of my wife’s diploma. Through a grant from the Slovak Republic, which we learned about via MIC, she was able to have her education recognized and pursue studies in the field she studied in Russia. Additionally, the lawyers from MIC in Nitra helped me with the transition to a blue card. Whenever we had questions, MIC responded promptly and willingly. Their support was truly invaluable.

Integration wasn’t without challenges. Finding a place for my daughter in overcrowded schools was particularly difficult, but with the help of Slovak friends, we managed in the end. While not everything went as smoothly as we had hoped, we were always met with willingness and understanding. I believe that soon we will settle here permanently, buy our own home, and truly feel at home in Slovakia.”

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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