How are Ukrainian refugees finding life in the West?

[Trenchcoat]

Just wondered if anyone has any info on this from any Ukrainian refugees they know or have heard about. I mean apart from the relationship between host families and Ukrainian refugees. Really more about how Ukrainian refugees are finding life and culture in the West. I mean there culture is a fair bit different to ours so our ways must come as a shock to them. We have Incels, all kind of weird gender connotations these days (non-binary, choosing gender) and beyond that equal pay for women to men, career women obese women. Then at a more mundane level womens expectations of men here differing from Ukraine. Possibly they might have heard of some of this stuff when they were in Ukraine but living in a society with it being much different I would imagine. So just wondering how they are finding it?

My guess is that they probably see our society as kind of an uptight topsy turvy sort of place and probably wonder how it can keep going in the way that it is. It must seek a pretty weird way to run a society to them and not all that functional perhaps.

[Shadow]

They arrive with high expectations of money and being provided with everything. Some leave when expectations are not met and they realise that living here is expensive.
The real refugees however are thankful for being out of the war zone.

[ML]

As I reported earlier, wife has some female relatives (and two young boys) relocated (temporarily) to Ireland.

The relative and her two female cousins have all taken jobs in Ireland and are living nicely, although they want to go back to Ukraine ASAP.   The two cousins (mid 30s) are not married, so have attracted some attention from the local chaps . . . which they have ignored, so far.  They have male friends in Ukraine, but nothing real serious.

The young boys are attending Irish schools and doing quite well.  Their mother recently became certified (in Ukraine) as English teacher, so they have been exposed to English for several years.  They are quite a bit ahead of the Irish students in mathematics.  My wife holds zoom sessions with them 3-4 times a week to study mathematics.

They are also attending Ukrainian classes via zoom, so keeping quite busy.

[BC]

The family I am sponsoring is doing well. The kids are in school, adjusting to life here, and making friends with other UA folks around us that were here before the war started. They still intend to return whenever that is possible. With a few exceptions, most others have returned as they lived mostly in the north and western parts of UA.  Those remaining are from the areas directly affected or very near.

[Boethius]

I have met a lot of Ukrainian refugees, and one family of distant relatives were living with my mother until their apartment was ready.  She was fine with them staying, she has a huge house, but they wanted their own place.  It's still in the same neighbourhood.

Every refugee I have met, or that the better half has met (he does a lot of translation work for them, as he speaks Ukrainian, Russian, and can understand surzhik fluently) want to remain here after the war.  The likelihood is, with all, even though they have temporary resident permits, is that once they have jobs, they likely will be on a path to citizenship.

Every refugee gets $3000 from the Canadian government, and free language lessons.  They receive $1500 for each child.  In my province, they receive $750 a month each for six months.  Most landlords (corporations) waive the security deposit for them, and some places give them 3 months free rent.  Other than worry for folks back home, most don't wish to return.

It is humorous to witness some common behaviours, such as buying foods deemed "luxurious" in Ukraine - pineapple, potato chips (apparently Pringles is "prestigious" in Western Ukraine), smoked salmon, smoked oysters, lobster.  All readily available at your local Costco.  A pineapple is the first thing I bought at Costco for my distant relatives.  The kids enjoyed it.  I also bought sushi there for the kids, who loved it.  I haven't taken them out for real sushi, though.   

[Trenchcoat]

I have met a lot of Ukrainian refugees, and one family of distant relatives were living with my mother until their apartment was ready.  She was fine with them staying, she has a huge house, but they wanted their own place.  It's still in the same neighbourhood.

Every refugee I have met, or that the better half has met (he does a lot of translation work for them, as he speaks Ukrainian, Russian, and can understand surzhik fluently) want to remain here after the war.  The likelihood is, with all, even though they have temporary resident permits, is that once they have jobs, they likely will be on a path to citizenship.

Every refugee gets $3000 from the Canadian government, and free language lessons.  They receive $1500 for each child.  In my province, they receive $750 a month each for six months.  Most landlords (corporations) waive the security deposit for them, and some places give them 3 months free rent.  Other than worry for folks back home, most don't wish to return.

It is humorous to witness some common behaviours, such as buying foods deemed "luxurious" in Ukraine - pineapple, potato chips (apparently Pringles is "prestigious" in Western Ukraine), smoked salmon, smoked oysters, lobster.  All readily available at your local Costco.  A pineapple is the first thing I bought at Costco for my distant relatives.  The kids enjoyed it.  I also bought sushi there for the kids, who loved it.  I haven't taken them out for real sushi, though.

That can happen in the UK with refugees/asylum seekers also. It's something I'm totally opposed to as I believe the original intent of a temporary refuge/asylum from a war or situation should be honoured once the war/problem is over. After all that was the reason they were given refuge/asylum in the first place. I don't state that just for Ukrainians but all refugee/asylum seekers to the UK.

The money being given out by the Canadian government is indeed a lot of money for many Ukrainians I can see why they would want to stay on with that sort of money being handed around.

[Trenchcoat]

They arrive with high expectations of money and being provided with everything. Some leave when expectations are not met and they realise that living here is expensive.
The real refugees however are thankful for being out of the war zone.

Reminds me of Kherson girl, of high expectations of me providing her with everything lol. Sounds like many Ukrainians have that picture painted of life in the West in their minds.

[Trenchcoat]

An interesting and varied view, some wishing to stay and some wishing to return. Possibly the country, it's environment and how generous it is playing a part in it all by the looks of things.

[Boethius]

That can happen in the UK with refugees/asylum seekers also. It's something I'm totally opposed to as I believe the original intent of a temporary refuge/asylum from a war or situation should be honoured once the war/problem is over. After all that was the reason they were given refuge/asylum in the first place. I don't state that just for Ukrainians but all refugee/asylum seekers to the UK.

The money being given out by the Canadian government is indeed a lot of money for many Ukrainians I can see why they would want to stay on with that sort of money being handed around.

Canada took in 500,000 immigrants last year.  So, allowing Ukrainians to stay is within government policy, and a drop in the bucket.  We need 450,000 immigrants per year, minimum.


The money given to refugees sounds like a lot, but it's not.  It would pay for rent and food for a month.  So, not a huge sum of money.

[Trenchcoat]

Canada took in 500,000 immigrants last year.  So, allowing Ukrainians to stay is within government policy, and a drop in the bucket.  We need 450,000 immigrants per year, minimum.


The money given to refugees sounds like a lot, but it's not.  It would pay for rent and food for a month.  So, not a huge sum of money.

Ah wonderful! Our Illegal Immigration problem solved, we can post them over to Canada B&B in Rwanda would be no longer needed so would be much cheaper for UK taxpayer.

I'll let our Gov know of the solution asap!