What we carry when we flee

Maria, a 25-year-old Ukrainian Muslim woman, was forced to leave her home country and seek safety in Germany following the 2022 Russian-Ukraine war. In this interview, she shares her lived experiences over the course of seven months, from her initial departure to finally settling into her own apartment with her cat, Muslima.

Amid significant adversity, Maria faced many of the questions common to young adults: how to find a home, build a new life, stay connected to family, and be independent. She reflects on navigating an unfamiliar culture and her identity as a young adult, while holding onto hope, her faith, and the responsibility of caring for those she loves—and carrying forward life-changing lessons.