Nataliya Pirus’s Year Living in Poland
Ukrainian blogger Nataliya Pirus spent a year in Poland, where she found employment and grew her personal blog. Yet, anxiety over xenophobia, challenges with legal residency under temporary protection, and ongoing uncertainty eventually led her and her boyfriend to decide to leave the country.
During her stay, Nataliya lived under temporary protection status. After witnessing a violent attack on a couple in Wrocław, she began altering her behavior out of caution. She reflected:
“In the late summer months, I found myself trying to read people on the street to gauge their intentions. After seeing that attack in Wrocław, even when shopping with my boyfriend, we started speaking in whispers.”
Another source of stress was the difficulty in obtaining a permanent residence card in Poland. Nataliya explained that acquiring this document means waiting for many years, enduring significant stress, or paying someone and still waiting a long time. This constant uncertainty around her legal status influenced their decision to leave. She added, “I was always expecting something bad to happen and holding onto hope that soon we’d be able to return home.”
Living with Anxiety and Fear
Despite securing a job and developing her blog, Nataliya experienced persistent fear and anxiety. She was afraid to walk alone, talk on the phone outdoors, or speak Ukrainian in public places like cafes. She noted:
“Thankfully, I wasn’t directly targeted by xenophobia here, but I witnessed incidents. Combined with the news, as an anxious person, it triggered intense fears.”
Her time abroad, though challenging, helped Nataliya grow stronger and less fearful of emigration. Nevertheless, the ongoing issues with paperwork and the unknown future prompted her return to Ukraine.
Nataliya Pirus’s experience highlights the difficulties faced by many Ukrainians forced to leave their country in search of safety and better opportunities. A significant number of Ukrainian refugees in foreign countries endure similar fears and uncertainties, often leading to emotional exhaustion. This story emphasizes the vital need for support and effective integration services for those displaced by conflict and crisis.