With almost 5,000, they are the Ukrainian refugees who found a safe home in West Flanders and are building a new life. That includes Anastasiia Koriak. In March she fled from the violence of war in her home country and since the beginning of this school year she has been teaching English in the Izegemse GO Atheneum Campus Bellevue. “I never dared to think that I would build a new life in Belgium.”
West Flanders currently has 4,726 recognized Ukrainian refugees. They try, each in their own way, to serve our society. Something that Anastasiia Koriak (28) certainly does, because since September 1 she has been working as an English teacher at GO Atheneum Campus Bellevue in Izegem, where she teaches 16 hours a week in vocational education.
In March she left possessions behind in Ukraine and found shelter in our country. “When the war broke out, I was living in Kiev,” Anastasiia opens her story.
“My apartment was just next to two important bridges and a stone’s throw from Kiev’s central station, the bombing almost literally flew around my ears.”
Strong belt
Anastasiia, who had been working as an English teacher in her home country for eight years, first went to her parents who live in the small village of Chervona. “But from there it was impossible to do my job,” she says.
“I was immediately accepted by everyone here”
“My friend Andrew has been living in Sint-Eloois-Winkel since 2018 and works for a Polish construction company that is active here in Belgium, so I decided to move in with him. Not an easy decision, because I had to leave my parents in Ukraine. We have a very strong bond, but I had no other option.”
Once she arrived in our country, Anastasiia wanted to get back to work as soon as possible. “In the end I was able to support Ukrainian children for a month at Athena 3 Hofsteden in Kortrijk in June, but that assignment was not extended. During the summer holidays I responded to almost every teaching vacancy in the region, but I didn’t get a response anywhere.”
Until Elias Rommens, director of GO Atheneum Campus Bellevue, saw Anastasiia’s application. “That was at the end of August, he says.
“We were urgently looking for an English teacher, but really didn’t find anyone. When Anastasiia came for an interview, she convinced me in an instant with her enthusiasm.”
Google Translate
Anastasiia is having a great time, she says. “The best decision I could make. I was immediately accepted by everyone, I really feel part of the team.”
The fact that she does not speak Dutch, except for a few words, does not appear to be an obstacle. “It encourages the students to do their best. And if we really don’t succeed in getting the message across, we use Google Translate,” she smiles.
“In the meantime I can already read Dutch well and I am also starting to understand it, except when you speak very quickly and in your dialect. But in January I will start with Dutch lessons. I want to master the language as soon as possible.”
Send pay
Anastasiia would never have dared to think that she is now working on a new life in Belgium. “If you had pushed this scenario under my nose a year ago, I would have had a good laugh. But the war has decided otherwise.”
“My life and work are in West Flanders, my heart is still in Ukraine. At my parents. I try to hear from them daily, via text messages or by making a quick call. I need to know if they’re okay. I follow the news in my home country closely and send part of my salary to my parents every month. My mom lost her job as a school cook because of the war, my dad can only work half-time.”
Anastasiia’s students and colleagues also sympathize with her. “They ask for an update every week. That is very gratifying, because the holidays promise to be difficult. I’m not looking forward to spending it without my family. I hope to be able to embrace them again soon.”
Second home
In any case, the young Ukrainian intends to further expand her life in Izegem. “My boyfriend and I are planning to move to an apartment in Izegem and I hope to be part of this school for a long time to come. It has become my second home in record time – just like Belgium, although I did have to get used to the Belgian education system.”
“In Ukraine I had to evaluate my students after every lesson, which happens a little less often here. And you also have more school holidays, during which teachers are really at home. In Ukraine, as a teacher you also have to be present at school during the holidays.”
Director Elias smiles. “Anastasiia represents a clear added value for us. “A good and motivated teacher who takes her students in tow. We hope she can stay with us for a long time.”
“I hope so too”, Anastasiia nods. “I hope that 2023 will be a year full of good news. Here and in Ukraine. What do I wish for the New Year? Peace. Just peace. You only know how precious it is when it is no longer available.”
Tags: Anastasiia Ukrainian refugees celebrate Christmas Peace
