Last week I watched while my Ukrainian classmate discussed the fallout in Kyiv. I don’t speak their language but the two girls from Russia expressed sentiments reminiscent of sisters trying to apologize for the actions of parents. Nothing said could change the events unfolding a two day drive away but I was grateful that they reached out. Intent matters, solidarity feels different when you can hear it.
We met a new professor recently. Her tempo is quick and hard to keep up with but she is very motivated. It was our first day with her that we went through a typical introduction, each student recounted their home country and their name. Her eyes lit up at each mention of a new country and it was not lost on us that she too, was an expat in Austria. She is originally form Palestine.
During this introduction to her, one of our Russian classmates, a quiet guy who has to duck to get through doorways( he stands over 6’5″) tried to apologize for the current devastation that the leadership of his home was inflicting on Ukraine. The sharp interruption from our professor was one of earnest reassurance that he had nothing to apologize for, the war had nothing to do with him. But inside my heart I felt a tenderness for him, I wish I could have told him. American guilt is something I have felt on numerous occasions but most of the time I am protected from the real hurt. I have never faced someone directly harmed by the many awful power plays that the US regimen has spearheaded. Never have I seen in real time the lives lost and the blood spent in efforts to encroach on other countries sovereignty. Much less is the media against me. Never in a million years did I imagine to feel so many parallels with my Russian classmate.
My classmate Maxym was lucky to be in Linz when the raids began, his mother and grandmother are currently refugees waiting to hear from home, not knowing if they will be able to return. His father was not allowed to flee, required to defend his country in the face of Russian takeover.
Today I am grateful. To know these incredible people. To rest soundly without the worry. for my home, my family and everything I love.
With hope that this is the last modern war. I hope that the fleeing afflicted home countries find a better future.
I am one of thirty or so students currently enrolled in the IFP in Fh Wels Austria. It’s relatively easy content but still a lot of work. We meet six to eight times a week to review physics math and German. Our professors are highly interesting but my classmates are what make this experience incredible.
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