New Faces of Slovenia: Iryna from Ukraine

New Faces of Slovenia

I am Iryna Nesterova and I come from Crimea in Ukraine. I am an oceanology engineer with a PhD and an economist by training. I worked for six years as a meteorologist in Sevastopol, then as a financial analyst. I am married and a mother of three.

Our journey began after the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014. We first moved to Odesa, because we did not want to live without freedom. Soon after, a Slovenian acquaintance helped us move to Slovenia, where my husband set up his own company.

One of the biggest challenges was bringing our family together. We waited almost two years for it, and our youngest child was only four years old at the time.

For two years after we were reunited, I had no free access to the labour market, and I could not attend a Slovene course through the Employment Service of Slovenia. To work in my own field, I needed citizenship or a very good command of Slovene.

So at first I learned the language on my own. In 2018 I found a free course at RIC Novo mesto, supported by the European Union, and my Slovene improved greatly. Today I work at the Slovenian Red Cross as an intercultural mediator, helping Ukrainian refugees.

I feel at home in Slovenia. I am surrounded by kind people, and the nature reminds me of Crimea.

Challenges and proposals for the inclusion of migrants

Language and getting to know the new environment

Employment and retraining

Family reunification

An inclusive school environment

Iryna was pleasantly surprised by how carefully her children’s school takes their dietary needs into account: vegan, pork-free and lactose-free meals are all available.

“Don’t be afraid of change, and look to the future with courage. Learn new languages and professions, and get to know other cultures. Education gives us strength, and knowledge opens new doors. Those who persevere reach their goal.”

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.