Expat Episodes #6: Liudmyla from Ukraine

From having to leave home, to settling down as a family of 5.

When the war in Ukraine began, Liudmyla and her five-member family had to leave Ukraine within a few hours. They traveled by car from Kyiv to Prague, where their friends tried to help them find a new home. Eventually, fate led them to Ostrava, where, with the help of the Ostrava Expat Centre team, they found a new home and a good school for their three children.

Learning Czech, Children’s Songs, and Stale Bread

Starting in a new country is never easy for anyone. However, in this case, Liudmyla and her family already had some international experience, so the relocation process was not too difficult. As the children integrated into school, Liudmyla also started learning Czech. Although she attended formal Czech language courses, the song “Skákal Pes” and songs by Marek Ztracený helped her the most. However, even in seemingly similar languages, funny misunderstandings can occur. Do you know how to say “stale bread” in Ukrainian?

Nostrification and Employment in an International Company

After several unsuccessful interviews, where Liudmyla was told she was overqualified, she finally found her place in an international company with a highly diversified international team. However, this was preceded by the process of recognizing her university diploma and many other administrative hurdles.

You can hear about all this in the latest episode of the podcast.