A Monthly Conversation on Inclusion, Solution and Aspiration
Ivan Kurkin, Refugee from Ukraine
Working as an operator at a printing company in Bucharest was not exactly what Ivan, 63, imagined he would be doing in his retirement years. He is from Kyiv, Ukraine and arrived in Romania in July 2022. Ivan was a pilot and worked in the aviation industry for three decades back home. Now he is learning new skills and the Romanian language. He said he has no regrets coming here and staying.
Here are five insights Ivan shares with us:
Ivan, 63, a refugee from Ukraine works at a printing company in Bucharest, Romania. © UNHCR/Ioana Moldovan
1. On early challenges
“After my wife and I crossed the border to Romania, we stayed at a small cottage near Râmnicu Vâlcea for a week. We did not have proper access to food and cash assistance at the time. We did not have enough food to get by in the beginning – it was very difficult. After a while, we managed to move into a hotel which was supported by humanitarian groups. Finding a job was certainly challenging. We were, however, for some time able to work at a sewing factory in the area where they make car seats, although it was labour intensive. Last September, we moved to Bucharest, rented accommodation and found a job through Ateliere fara Frontiere, a nonprofit organization that supports refugees with employment, skills training and workshops.”
2. On daily motivation and inspiration
“Resilience and motivation come from the fact that I am accepted and am treated with respect by the locals. Perhaps I cannot speak for every Ukrainian in my position, but that is how I feel in general. I go to work with an open mind and with a great desire to work, and to enjoy the interaction with my coworkers. I am learning new skills and the Romanian language as well. No matter how good or difficult the circumstances are, I believe that you need to work. It is simply a necessity.”
Ivan (L) working with his Romanian co-worker at the printing company in Bucharest, Romania. © UNHCR/Ioana Moldovan
3. On inclusion
“I feel comfortable here in Romania. But I still feel like a stranger in a foreign country, especially at my age. In a way, we are guests to Romanians, and I am grateful for the hospitality offered by them. I believe that in return, I can contribute to the society by working. To me, inclusion allows the most vulnerable Ukrainians to meet their specific needs, in particular their medical care. I have managed to find decent accommodation and affordable food. However, when it comes to medical care, there are lengthy, complex procedures which I need to go through here, and that is still challenging.”
4. On aspirations, hopes for the future
“I look into the future, and only hope that this war will end soon. We must try to make it all go away. When the war is over, I will return to Ukraine. I want to go home, if possible, but I am not in a rush for now. I would like to stay and work in Romania for as long as our temporary protection allows. Hopefully, I can contribute to rebuilding my country. I believe in a bright future, especially for our children, the future generation. Just as our parents did it for us, we live for our children. Let us hope that things will stabilize soon.”
5. On final words
“I would like to wish Romanians all the best. I do not know how Ukrainians in my country would treat those who would come as refugees to Ukraine from another country. But Romanians have been kind to us Ukrainians. They are very friendly people. I hope that Romania will grow stronger, and that everything will be fine.”
A Ukrainian refugee, Ivan, runs a machine at work in the printing company in Bucharest, Romania. © UNHCR/Ioana Moldovan
Learn more about the stories of Ivan and other refugees here.
NOTE: The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity by June Kim.
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