From war in Ukraine to a new life in Norway
Oleksandr (44) has left two years of service in the Ukrainian special forces behind him. After his hometown was reduced to ruins and occupied by Russian forces, he chose to flee to Norway to find safety and a fresh start.
Life in Norway is very different from the everyday life he had in the trenches. Today, Oleksandr works at a sushi restaurant, where he is learning new skills and building a daily life far away from the destruction of war.
The story of Oleksandr is not unique. Many Ukrainian refugees who have come to Norway are now in the process of learning the language and integrating into the Norwegian labor market. For many, the transition from a traumatic wartime existence to a quiet job in Norway is an important part of the path forward.
Although Oleksandr is now safe, he carries with him the experiences of a demanding time. His workplace provides him not only with an income, but also with an opportunity to focus on the future in a new country.