PERRYSBURG — What need to be a celebratory time is as a substitute a time of uncertainty as 17-calendar year-previous Ukrainian Iryna Snahoshchenko is concerned about her residence.
She is a overseas exchange pupil through the Long run Leaders Trade Method (FLEX). Snahoshchenko is shortly to graduate from Perrysburg Superior Faculty. Lindsey Simpson and Nathaniel Wrestler have hosted her in their property considering that August.
Snahoshchenko now is devoid of any foreseeable future options following graduation. A single of the most important factors is the war waging on in her homeland.
“It just arrived so unfortunately, and out of the blue, that I did not genuinely have a strategy,” she explained. “This time is definitely pretty substantially stressful for me and all my fellow individuals from Ukraine. … And naturally, occur combining it with schoolwork, and with graduation, and all of individuals issues that I have to do is, is fairly tricky.
“I just could not imagine that it was really happening in my region. And that my mother and father were being there. It is just these kinds of an unforgettable experience in a undesirable way. And the initial two months likely felt the worst. It was type of surreal to just wander about the university and see individuals stay their typical lives, even though … all of my ideas have been there in Ukraine with my family members and buddies who I did not know what was going on to them, and what could transpire to them. So, (it is) absolutely difficult,” Snahoshchenko stated.
Her loved ones and good friends are protected and unharmed, she mentioned. A couple of of her mates left Ukraine to get refuge in other places. But her spouse and children and numerous of her good friends are even now in Ukraine. She is grateful to be equipped to continue to be in contact with them and explain to them how substantially she loves them.
Snahoshchenko structured an item donation push with Toledo Will help Ukraine at her college, collecting around 200 Clorox wipes. She’s also organized a bake sale and car clean with her neighborhood coordinator.
“I just experienced to figure out what, what actions I had to do in buy to in some way aid Ukraine, even if it is little, but I definitely, seriously wished to aid and spread the information and assemble revenue. And just enable no matter what I can. And I’m pretty certain that I will get via this. And so now, I just have to regulate and be flexible in the problem and just hoping to do the very best I can under individuals situations that I have,” Snahoshchenko reported.
She is a component of Vital Club, Interact Club, Environmental Club, Speech and Debate Club and usually takes Chinese. She done in Perrysburg High School’s manufacturing of “The Addams Relatives.”
She loves getting to meet new men and women with diverse backgrounds at her American school.
Snahoshchenko shared her gratitude to her instructors.
“I have so quite a few excellent teachers at my college,” she explained. “They all add to my improvement and assist me, and possibly the course is fun in their personal distinct and one of a kind way. So, I adore them all.”
Snahoshchenko reported she designs to go again house when it is safe and sound.