Karolina's journey: Moving from war Ukraine to a new beginning in the Netherlands
When war broke out in Ukraine, Karolina had to leave her life behind overnight. As a young woman with a bachelor's degree in philology, she had built a stable future: work at an international company, her own flat and a cool partner. But in 2022, everything changed. Together with her mother, sister and grandmother, she fled to the Netherlands, while her father and partner stayed behind to fight.
With only the bare essentials gathered, Karolina left in the car for the Netherlands. The journey was exhausting and took more than 30 hours. ‘The relief was enormous because I knew we were safe in the Netherlands, but at the same time I had no idea what our future would look like,’ Karolina says.
Building a new life
Fortunately, Karolina and her family received help upon her arrival. A friend of a colleague offered her and her family accommodation and helped with administrative matters. For the first few months, they stayed in a small house, later in a holiday park, and only then did they find a flat of their own. The language barrier and adjusting to a new culture posed challenges, but Karolina did not sit still.
‘I didn't want to stay in a bubble, so I actively sought contact with others and tried to learn the language as soon as possible.’
From refugee to professional
Her work experience in the international company allowed Karolina to quickly enter the Dutch labour market. Her fluent English helped her connect faster. She eventually found a job at Altrad, where she works in the flex department and is responsible for compliance at the screening centre in Middelburg. ‘I am used to analysing processes and making complex information understandable. Those skills come in handy here.’
Inspiration on International Women's Day
In Ukraine, International Women's Day is an important holiday celebrating women as the pillars of society. For Karolina, it is a day to reflect on strong women who inspire her. She encourages other women to actively seek opportunities and not stay in isolation.
‘Don't stay at home, but seek contact and discover the opportunities that are out there,’ she advises.
Future full of ambitions
Karolina's story is one of perseverance and resilience. She wants to continue to develop within Altrad and expand her knowledge. Returning to Ukraine is currently not possible but she hopes to be reunited with her remaining family and her partner In the meantime, she is building hard on her future in the Netherlands.
Her journey shows how important courage and adaptability are. For many who need to build a new life, she is an inspiring example.
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