Karina’s Story
Hey I’m Karina Tytorenko the exchange student from Ukraine in Texas! I’m with High school in the USA. I finished my essay today.
In January of 2022, I could have never imagined I would be still in the United states and that it would be unsafe for me to return back to Ukraine. I could never have imagined that I would not know the next time I would see any of my family. I could have never imagined that I would never truly be able to return to the home and life of my childhood.
I arrived in Texas in January 2022 as a one-semester high school exchange student. I planned to return home at the end of the school year in June. It was my dream to study in America! My parents and I agreed that one semester was the best option. I was only 15 then, and I am an only child. It was difficult for my mother to let me fulfill this dream, but she never wanted to hold me back. It would only be a few months; then, I would return home, spend the summer with my family and finish my Ukranian high school education the following year. I was very excited and a little nervous.
I quickly adjusted to life in America; I missed my family and friends back home but knew I would see them again soon. So I focused on making new friends and trying new things in my American high school. I have met some fantastic people, and I love my host mom.
Things were going well, and then 24th of February 2022, I received a phone call from my mom that turned my world upside down. Ukraine had been invaded by Russia… It happened when I was asleep,but I called my mom as soon as I woke up to tell her how my day was and have a normal conversation, but it never happened. Instead she was crying and it scared me I had no clue what happened. She told me that the war started and they’re packing things to go to a bomb shelter to hide. I didn’t know what to say. I just started hysterically crying. My mom told me all the details and gave me phone numbers of her friends abroad,in case something happens. When I heard that I just didn’t know what to do. I’m just 15 in a different country, I can’t help them, I can’t do anything and my mom is basically saying bye to me. It was really scary and hard.We did not know what this meant for my or my family’s future. I still don’t know. Things have constantly been changing since that day. It seems nothing is certain, not even that I will see my mother again.
I went to school that day, I didn’t talk to anybody, I had my phone all the time and was checking on my mom every hour. People were afraid to ask me anything , because they knew what happened. Weeks passed and I accepted the fact that I’m not going to be returning home, there were a lot of mine and my mom’s tears. My parents decided to stay in Ukraine, because they didn’t have anybody abroad and my grandma was too old to move.
I still have no idea what is going to happen to me or my family. I am about to turn 17 and go to A&M Galveston; I’m excited, but I also don’t know when I’ll see my family and friends again. I’m still scared for my parents everyday especially, when I can’t reach them. Every time I read news and see pictures my heart breaks.Women, men, kids are just dying every day. Russiins kill everyone, they don’t care who you are. I have one wish, I want this to be over. I want everybody to return home,see their families and live the life we had before Russian invasion. I’m really grateful for everybody who helps my country. Please keep sending help and don’t forget about us. Everyone’s support is really important there. I believe that we will win soon and will have peace on our land. Ukraine is very strong and I am so proud to be Ukrainian!
