The CORE Insider’s advisor, Mr. E, has a friend of Ukrainian descent, who connected the Insider with Ukrainian teenager, Nelia Dziuba. Nelia is Deputy Head of the Youth Council for an organization called GoGlobal. This letter was written specifically to the students of CORE upon Mr. E’s request, to try to give us a sense of what life is like for a teenager in Ukraine. The Insider is grateful to Nelia for sharing her story. Please note this letter was written in English, which is not Nelia’s first language.

CORE High School,

My Life Has Changed Completely Since the Full-Scale Invasion.
Imagine waking up one day and realizing that your biggest worry is no longer a math test, but the sound of sirens outside your window. My name is Nelia, and I live in Kulykivka—a quiet town in Northern Ukraine that used to be filled with the simple joys of youth. For many of you, 17 is a time for prom, driving lessons, and big dreams. For me, it has been a journey of resilience in a world turned upside down by war. This is a glimpse into how my life, my country, and my future have changed since February 24, 2022.

Before that fateful date, I lived a normal student life: going to school, doing boring homework, hanging out with friends, and making time for hobbies like journaling, painting, and editing videos. I dreamed of learning many languages and becoming a flight attendant. Now, I realize I didn’t truly appreciate my peaceful life at that time, and that is my biggest regret.

But where is Ukraine, and why did this happen?

Ukraine is the largest country entirely in Europe, situated in the eastern part of the continent. It borders seven countries, one of which is Russia. My country possesses many vital resources for the world, including minerals and agricultural products. It has a perfect climate with all four seasons and borders two seas: the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Nowhere else will you find people like Ukrainians. We are talented, determined, and strong, yet sincere and funny. Ukraine has stunning landscapes and is a resource-rich country. Because of this, our “neighbor” wanted to steal it all. Russia wants to grab our territories and leave us with nothing. But we have always been fierce patriots, so we refused to give away anything valuable to us. That’s why Russia decided to take it by force. Now, our people have been suffering for four years.

My life has changed drastically. I was just a young girl who liked playing games and watching cartoons. Suddenly, I had to learn about politics, international relations, weapons, and constant danger. I started reading the news daily, and its entire weight fell on the shoulders of a 13-year-old girl. I became terrified for the lives of my family and friends. I couldn’t sleep soundly because I heard bombs exploding and planes flying, knowing everything could end in a second.

School isn’t what it used to be. It became harder to study. We often studied online, and I didn’t see my classmates for a long time. Studying at home doesn’t allow for much interaction, which can lead to loneliness, because we can’t socialize. We study offline more often now, but that doesn’t mean we have returned to a normal life. Almost every day, I experience this: we are sitting in class, the air alert goes off, we pack our bags in a rush, and we run to a shelter. I don’t show my panic, but every time it happens, my heart pounds, my hands shake, and I just want to run. I think everyone feels that way.

For the first five months, I had to flee to safer places abroad. I didn’t know anyone there. I felt like an unwanted guest, like I didn’t belong. I wasn’t home.

Nowadays, we have big problems with electricity. We can be without power for days and without heating for weeks. In this situation, you don’t think about plans, lessons, homework, exams, or entertainment. Your only thought is: “Will I be alive tomorrow?”

Every morning at 9 a.m., we hold a minute of silence, and my heart breaks. Very often, I see funerals for our fallen soldiers, and it takes a toll on me. We feel this every single day, yet we are only teenagers. We just want to enjoy our youth.

All my plans for the future were shattered that year. Planes aren’t flying, so I can’t be a flight attendant right now. I’m taking my finals this year, and I have no clue who I want to be or what I want to do, because I can’t predict what the situation will be in my country. Under these circumstances, it’s nearly impossible to get a quality education. But it’s an integral part of my life, so all I can do is accept it and adapt. I’m not just living; I’m surviving.

–Nelia Dziuba