THE REVERSE SIDE OF FORCED MIGRATION
What will Ukraine and Europe get?
Since the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine, over 10 million Ukrainians have left their homes. Over four million have emigrated abroad, with the majority being women and children.
The fact that people have left their homes and country is distressing. However, if mass migration has already happened , I tried to find positive aspects in it, and I succeeded.
My younger daughter is currently in Italy. I caught myself thinking: I would be happy if she spends several years actively shaping her personality in a sunny country and surrounded by smiling, friendly people.
Our children, who will be abroad for some time, will strengthen their spirit, receive a good education, immerse themselves in European values, and with all of this, they will return to Ukraine to rebuild the country. We will gain a whole layer of people of a completely different caliber who will elevate Ukraine to a new level and align it with European countries.
Not everyone will return from Europe. However, those who do return will be completely different. They will live in Europe for several years, and what's important is that they won't live as isolated tourists (arrived and left). They will strive to adapt to the surrounding environment. They need to learn the language, understand the culture of the country they have come to. Upon their return, these people will bring different values and a different spirit with them, as this experience doesn't pass without a trace.
I know from my own experience: at the age of 20, I lived in Poland for half a year. It was then that I developed a desire to build a transparent and beautiful business in Ukraine in the future. For our country, Ukrainians returning from Europe are a bonus.
And what will Europe gain? Is it just a headache? Well, not at all. Firstly, Europe will see a completely different kind of Ukrainians. They will see and be surprised. Previously, to European countries came either wealthy tourists or poor temporarily migrant workers. Now, due to circumstances, a completely different category of people has moved there—the middle class. Motivated, self-confident individuals who want to learn the language, enroll their children in kindergartens and schools (even temporarily) , assimilate, and establish contacts with local residents for a more comfortable life in a new environment. Europe has not seen Ukrainians like them before, especially in such numbers.
Not all women will return to Ukraine after the war. Some will stay, find partners there. And for Europe, this is also, in general, a chance—to dilute its aging blood with a high-quality and beautiful gene pool. This is how Ukraine will play a historical role in refreshing the already not-so-young Europe.
Internal migration also plays a significant role. Ukrainians are very diverse, and in this lies our strength. Many people from the eastern and northern parts of Ukraine have moved to the western part. No matter how you twist it, there is a different culture there, to which one also needs to adapt and integrate.
I spent several weeks in Lviv, immersed myself in the manner of communication peculiar to its residents, the principles of doing business, the authentic Western Ukrainian spirit. The residents of western Ukraine also absorb something from the newcomers. It's a mutual exchange of culture, values, and everyday habits. Such blending broadens horizons, and on the wave of patriotism that has risen, it cements the nation.
