Deep Run is a diverse school with students having arrived from all over the world. While some didn’t have very far to move, others have traveled here from other countries. One of these students is sophomore Mike Prybylnov.
Prybylnov lived in multiple countries before coming to Virginia.
“I moved from Ukraine before coming here. For some time, I lived in the UK and Germany,” Prybylnov said.
Prybylnov is one of almost 6 million Ukrainians who have left their home country due to the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine that began in February of 2022.
He spent the first twelve years of his life in Ukraine before spending a year in both Germany and England. He moved with his sister and his parents.
Throughout his time in these countries, he has picked up the skills to speak Ukrainian, Russian, and English. He is currently learning both German and Latin. However, speaking new languages weren’t the only adaptations Prybylnov has had to make through these moves.
“We had to leave very quickly. Emotionally speaking, it was difficult to leave Ukraine,” Prybylnov said. “It was very, very sad. I had many friends there.”
Despite the massive change, there are highlights he took away from his time in all locations.
“England was amazing,” Prybylnov said, “And in Germany I had my friend, Otto.”
When discussing Virginia, Prybylnov said that he “didn’t like it here at first,” but he has since gotten used to the area. Despite enjoying his time in England, he said that he would choose to live here rather than the UK or Germany, but Ukraine is home.
“If we are talking about Ukraine before the war, I would prefer it there,” Prybylnov said.
