The Eternal Student, or How a Ukrainian Engineer Became a Taxi Driver

The third of March. Yurii Gokov remembers that day in 2022 very clearly, when he left his hometown of Kharkiv with his wife, son, and mother. The war gave them no choice. Today, more than two years later, he speaks to us in very decent Slovak and rationally describes life in Košice and his prospects for the future.

After Kharkiv came under shelling, Yurii and his family, along with their neighbors, spent several days hiding in an underground corridor of their house. Later, they traveled by car a hundred kilometers away, where life seemed to go on as if nothing had happened. “I was shocked. In Kharkiv, there was shooting, everything was closed, nothing was functioning, and just a few kilometers away, life was running as usual,” Yurii recalls the early days of the war.

They later settled in Uzhhorod, and after three months, they permanently relocated to Košice, Slovakia. Yurii’s son graduated from the Gymnázium on Šrobárova Street and was accepted to the University of Economics. However, he is far from being the only student in the family. Yurii himself has been pursuing a master’s degree since September, having learned Slovak quite well during his time in the country. Writing in Slovak still gives him some trouble, but he is working on it and has enrolled in another computer-based language course to ensure nothing stands in the way of his studies.

From Engineer to Taxi Driver

Since he had already earned an engineering degree in his native Ukraine and has years of experience, he can continue his studies without entrance exams. He plans to focus on alternative energy resources, a field close to his heart, as he studied a related discipline in Ukraine and worked there for over twenty years as a specialist in water and sewage systems. Yurii is still working, albeit remotely. As a consultant, he oversees a major wastewater treatment plant project at a factory using complex technology. The project is nearing completion, and Yurii knows he needs a plan to support his family in the future.

How is life in Košice? “Košice is a beautiful and small city. Unlike Kharkiv, with its 1.5 million inhabitants, here I can walk everywhere. We do have a car, but I only use it for shopping. Otherwise, we go on foot,” says the friendly Ukrainian, appreciating the size of the eastern Slovak “metropolis.” Sometimes, he joins the local Ukrainian community for group trips or New Year’s celebrations, but otherwise, he says, everyone lives their own life and tries to solve their problems as best they can.

Whether he and his family will return to Ukraine if the war ends remains uncertain. However, Yurii would certainly like to go back for a visit to see his friends, his mother-in-law, his dog, and his cat – those who stayed behind, those he hasn’t seen in two years.

„I don’t know what the future holds for Ukraine or for the entire European Union. These are challenging times for all of Europe, for everyone.“

Since Yurii arrived in Slovakia, he has been doing everything possible to adapt and integrate into society. He and his wife attended several language courses offered for free by various non-profit organizations. He also completed a basic electrical engineering course and obtained a taxi driver’s license. His wife took a hairdressing course. In short, they had to – and still have to – make the most of their situation. However, the summer was slow; the “off-season” affected these fields as well, Yurii says.

When Illness Comes into Play…

His mother was recently diagnosed with cancer, so the family also has to deal with medical examinations and consult her health condition. They receive help from the Integration Center, where they are advised on which doctor to see and have medical reports translated. “Mom is currently in the hospital and is satisfied with how they are taking care of her. However, I need to improve my reading and writing skills in Slovak so I can better understand medical records, as doctors often consult with me about the next steps in her treatment, and I want to understand what I am signing,” he explains, detailing the challenges he faces daily. Free language courses for foreigners are slowly being canceled, and each now costs around 80 euros, which Yurii fears he will no longer be able to afford.

„Our son learned Slovak in just one year and now speaks like a native Slovak. For my wife and me, however, it’s difficult. The languages may seem similar at first glance, but appearances are deceiving.“

“The Integration Center in Košice is really very helpful for people from Ukraine. They assist with everything they can-housing, mortgages, schools. In addition, they organize various activities, and whenever I need advice, I can turn to Denis, and he helps me.”

Slovakia helped us, now we have to take care of ourselves

Yurii and many other Ukrainians are now facing the fact that the government has canceled their housing allowance.

“It’s difficult, we will miss it, as we have to pay rent not only here but also in Ukraine for the apartment where my mother-in-law and the animals are staying. But on the other hand, I understand that Slovakia is not Germany and doesn’t have as much money. We have to take care of ourselves, Slovakia has been helping us for two years.”

Several of Yurii’s acquaintances, who couldn’t manage financially here, have left. Some went to the aforementioned Germany, or to the USA, Canada, or Switzerland. Occasionally, they compare their lives, and although things might be better in some places, he and his wife are trying to stay and live a dignified life here. We wish them the best.