From Odesa to Brasov: An exercise of courage and belonging

The transition into adulthood is a series of unspoken tests of identity and belonging. For Victoria, an 18-year-old from Odesa, these tests became starkly real with the outbreak of the war. Her world was abruptly fragmented, giving way to an emotional burden difficult to bear at such a young age: uncertainty.

Victoria carries with her the memory of the first month of conflict, a period when her mother worked day and night to protect her family. In a heavy attempt to maintain normalcy, the basement kitchen became their only safe shelter. There, among documents prepared for every possible scenario and the sound of air-raid sirens, Victoria learned a harsh lesson: how to go to bed with fear every night, yet find the strength to wake up in the morning with a smile and renewed courage.

The decision to leave Ukraine transformed Victoria's childhood into a constant exercise in translation, not only of a new language, but of unfamiliar emotions and routines. The journey to Romania was long, and arriving in Brasov, the place they now call home, brought new challenges. 

When she arrived in Romania, Victoria was only 15 years old and was finishing the tenth grade online. With the hope typical of her age, she believed they would stay only a few days, until things settled, and then they could return home to Odesa. Behind her, she left an essential part of her identity: her training and competitions in Combat Hopak, a sport at the crossroads of dance and martial arts. She was already a champion and dreamed of becoming her coach's right hand, fondly cherishing the memory of summers spent training on the beach, a time when every day was full of activities and purpose.

In those first days in Brasov, Victoria felt overwhelmed by the new environment and every mundane interaction felt like a mountain to climb. However, she fondly remembers a moment that mattered immensely: a group of  Romanian children heard her speaking Ukrainian and approached her directly in English, a warm interaction that made her feel seen and accepted.

Having a stable place to stay brought a sense of safety, but it was accompanied by the quiet strain of starting over. Her mother lost her job, a blow that added great pressure to an already emotional and demanding relocation process.

Social support, however, became Victoria’s anchor. At the Katya Refugee Reception Center in Brasov, she found more than just practical assistance; she found a community. This center, supported by UNICEF, has been an essential reference point for Ukrainian refugees, providing the necessary resources for a new beginning: play areas for children, counseling, and integration activities designed to bring a touch of normalcy amid crisis, as well as medical support and food supplies. 

Conversations with volunteers and participation in activities helped Victoria navigate the unknown of those early days, giving her the reassurance that she was not alone in this integration process. Additionally, through this help, her family's life gradually began to stabilize. Her mother found a new job, and thus, Victoria not only managed to complete her high school studies, but also took a major step toward her future.

Today, Victoria is a student at a university in Brașov, where she studies alongside another young woman from Odesa, who has become a close and reliable friend in Romania. Her integration has flourished alongside her academic life: she discovered empathetic professors and welcoming colleagues who supported her in this new beginning.

Although the university courses are in English, Victoria took Romanian language lessons at the Katya Center, which helped her tremendously in navigating her daily life: from taking the bus alone to having conversations with locals, who always appreciate her willingness to communicate. Furthermore, she also regained her balance by seeking out a vocal training center and a combat sports club in the city, managing to find clarity in her heart about the path she wants to follow.  

This academic achievement is not only a personal victory, but also proof that when adolescents receive the necessary support, they can transform adverse experiences into resilience and continue to grow, even after the experience of war. Continuing her educational path restored Victoria's sense of normalcy and allowed her to begin visualizing a better future here, in the Romanian society. 

Victoria's experience remains a message of hope for all children forced by circumstances to start over: "First of all, do not be afraid and also have confidence in yourselves." Her wish for the Ukrainian people is one of solidarity and inner strength: 

“I want Ukrainians to be strong, brave, and kind!”

Victoria's story is a testament to the fact that, although war can take away almost everything, it cannot cancel the human capacity to hope, connect, and endure. Victoria's inclusion in the Romanian society demonstrates that, through solidarity, young people can reclaim their potential and build a stable future. It is vital that all children in vulnerable situations benefit from the resources and support necessary to flourish and reach their full potential, regardless of the obstacles encountered along the way.

Since the outbreak of the war, UNICEF has acted in support of refugee children and their families. This mission has been made possible thanks to the support provided by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM) within the U.S. Department of State, a strategic partner in protecting and facilitating the integration of refugee children in Romania. In Brasov, the Katya Center remains a space of safety where young people can find emotional support and, above all, belong to a community where no one is forced to navigate the challenges of a new beginning alone.