Exchange student’s stay in North Dakota extended due to war in Ukraine

BEACH, N.D. (KFYR) – Finding out overseas is often a one-year journey, however one alternate pupil’s journey has been prolonged for a second 12 months.

The warfare in Ukraine has left 17-year-old Dima Davydenko with no dwelling to return to.

Davydenko has mastered the artwork of taking an important selfie. His cellphone is crammed with selfies, and with different pictures that every one inform a narrative about his time as an alternate pupil in the USA.

His cellphone can also be his connection to his family and friends, and to his war-torn homeland. Davydenko’ s hometown of Velyka Novosillka in japanese Ukraine has turn out to be a Russian goal. His dad and mom and grandmother have moved to a different metropolis.

“Every little thing modified drastically,” he acknowledged.

Davydenko was presupposed to return to Ukraine on June 9. As an alternative, he’s staying one other 12 months in Seashore, a spot he’d by no means even heard of a 12 months in the past.

“After I discovered that, I believed it could have a sea or lake or ocean. There’s notbhing like that,” Davydenko recalled with fun.

However what he has discovered right here on the western fringe of North Dakota is a way of group, a refuge from warfare and a second dwelling.

“I’m simply the American mother, however there was no method I used to be sending him again to what was like little to nothing left,” mentioned Jill Schatz, Davydenko’s host mother mentioned.

Whereas part of him needs he was dwelling combating for his nation, Davydenko can also be glad to be in Seashore and to get a bonus 12 months of highschool. He’s wanting ahead to including extra pictures to his digital camera roll, so he’ll always remember this sudden keep in Seashore.

Davydenko is ready to verify in together with his household every day. Up to now, they’ve stayed secure, however he says many properties in his hometown of about 5,000 individuals have been destroyed.

Davydenko says the help the individuals of Seashore, and the complete state, have proven his nation has been overwhelming.

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