Editors note: Irina’s last name and the specific region she lived in have been omitted for safety reasons. When speaking in the interview she was aided by a translation device to ensure certain words were transcribed correctly.
Two weeks ago Irina had never been to Canada, nor had she ever considered it the country where she would be building a new life in.
She has no relatives or friends in the country.
Despite this, the 32-year-old is jubilant to be living in Guelph.
When Irina landed at Person International airport in Toronto on March 23 she was alone, leaving behind her friends, career and the life she had built in Ukraine.
Her journey to Canada began with the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, forcing her to leave the Kyiv region and begin making her way toward the Romanian border.
"My journey started at the 24th of February," said Irina. "The morning started with explosions, and it was a working day. We all got calls we need to stay at home and pack our bags."
With those bags packed, Irina, her sister and nephew loaded up their car and began a five-day journey into Romania.
Once in Romania, Irina began looking for a country she could claim refugee status to build her life, eventually deciding on Canada.
“When I am going to move to Canada I can't find places to live. Airbnb’s, other places, some people didn’t answer me, someone cancelled and said it’s already booked,” said Irina.
The search ended when Irina received word that she would be moving to Guelph thanks to her aunt who took to helping her search.
Through social media, Irina connected with Guelph resident Stacy Cattran.
In an email, Cattran said her aunt found her on a church Facebook group supporting Ukrainians fleeing the war.
“In 10 minutes she told me I found a home,” said Irina.
When she left Romania, Irina was forced to leave behind her sister and aunt who are currently in the process of moving to the United Kingdom.
Irina said that when she was packing her bags she was told it would only be one week she would be gone - meaning she packed the bare necessities intending to return home shortly.
“When we leave our home we were sure it was only for one week, because everything that president Zelensky would talk about this war, and they decided to stop all these terrible things, and in one week we would be home,” said Irina. “In one month I am here, it was not one week. We were not ready for that.”
While in Romania a friend of hers fleeing Ukraine was able to bring her more clothes.
That friend has since moved to Georgia.
Despite the time zone difference, Irina said she can stay updated with her friends who have been displaced to half a dozen countries in Europe, as well as her friends that have stayed in Ukraine to fight the invading Russian forces.
“I’m so far away. I know that if I stayed there I can do nothing,” said Irina. "You don't know what is better. Maybe to be in a safe place, or maybe there and to see this all with your own eyes. I don’t know which is right.”
Having gone through the visa application process, Irina said she has started helping others who have questions about obtaining a work visa.
“I miss my friends and my family because most of my family is in Ukraine I hope that I will go back home, but now maybe I will be working here for three years,” said Irina. “Maybe I’ll get some experience which I can use in Ukraine.”
With a master's degree in ecology and environmental sciences, Irina said she wasn’t able to utilize her degree while living in Kyiv, but hopes living in Canada might allow her to work in protecting the environment.
The Cattran family spared no time diving into Canadian culture, bringing Irina to a sugar shack to show her how maple syrup is made.
Irina said she is looking forward to the warmer weather which will mean a visit to Niagara Falls.
