After leaving Kyiv for two weeks to help her sister, she ended up staying in Germany for four years. Her journey took her from having her qualifications recognized to obtaining a license as an examiner. In this interview, Irina Marko, a Kyiv native, philologist by education and educator by vocation, talks about how neuro-linguistic coaching works and how to keep believing in better days when your home is under attack.
— Irina, tell us, when did you decide to leave Ukraine?
— I am from Kyiv, but my journey abroad began through Lviv. It was at the beginning of the war, around March 16. To be honest, my sister was the main reason. She was leaving with her two children and needed help and support along the way.
I left thinking that I would help them settle in, stay for a week or two, and then return. But circumstances turned out differently, and I stayed. Next March, it will already have been four years since I began living here.
— How do you feel now? Have you adapted to your new surroundings, or are you still waiting to return?
— It feels as though I have settled in by now. I work and have established a certain rhythm. But in my thoughts, I still constantly return home. I regularly travel to Ukraine to visit my parents and see with my own eyes that it is still dangerous there. We do not know when the situation will change for the better, so I understand that returning right now would not make sense. Ukraine is my homeland. My home and my parents are there, and that is where I feel most comfortable. But I have also become accustomed to Germany. After four years here, I have a new social circle and many acquaintances.
What I really miss, though, is our Ukrainian spontaneity. Germans are used to planning everything years in advance — even vacations for 2027 are being planned now. For me, that is unusual and can sometimes feel restrictive when you simply want to meet someone spontaneously.
— What did you do in Kyiv before the war? What was your professional background?
— In Kyiv, I worked with children for almost 17 years and taught English. I have a degree in foreign language philology — English and German. I also specialized in educational institution management. Almost my entire life was devoted to education: working with children, communicating with parents and methodological work. My life was stable and well organized. I could never have imagined that a war would begin and that I would have to leave.
— You went through different stages of working in education. Why did you choose this particular path?
— My path developed gradually. I started in a kindergarten, then taught English at primary school, and later moved on to middle and secondary school. I worked at a gymnasium. Later, I also began teaching adults as a private tutor.
— Working with children requires thorough preparation. Where did you study?
— First, I graduated from a pedagogical college and then obtained a university degree in philology. But learning never really stopped. I took numerous courses and seminars and participated in various educational projects. Although I talk a lot about languages, children were actually at the heart of my work in Ukraine. I was not only a teacher, but also a class teacher for older students.
— Working with teenagers can be difficult. Did you find it easy to connect with them?
— It varied. The most difficult stage is usually adolescence, around seventh or eighth grade. With students in the tenth and eleventh grades, however, I found it easiest. We always managed to understand each other.
— Apart from teaching, what else filled your life in Ukraine?
— I worked a lot, combining school and private tutoring. But I also found time for my hobbies: going to the gym, reading and travelling. I mainly read contemporary Ukrainian novels. Nowadays, unfortunately, I read less.
— There are many photos from different parts of the world on your social media. Which kinds of travel do you enjoy most?
— I love the process of discovering things: new people, new cultures. I have been to England and the United States and have travelled extensively around Europe. I especially love the nature of Switzerland and Germany, and Austria is wonderful too. I used to love England very much. I often took groups of students there and even considered moving there. But life turned out differently, and I ended up in Germany. Today, German has become the main language in my life, although English used to be my primary language.
— Was it difficult to find a job in your field in Germany?
— My first task was to prove my language skills. Although I had my degrees, I needed certificates specifically confirming my language proficiency. I completed online courses, had my documents recognized, and then the Employment Agency offered me a job. Now I teach integration courses. It is a completely different experience. My students are often older than me, and the atmosphere in the classroom is completely different.
— You said that working with adults is interesting, but different in terms of energy. What is it like in practice?
— Adults do not come here because life was easy for them. Everyone brings their own experiences and personal baggage with them. There are 23 people in a class, all with very different backgrounds, and you have to bring them together and get them into the right mindset for learning. Everyone has different abilities, but I try to support each person. If we see that someone is really struggling, we offer a repeat course or a lower-level group. But I always emphasize that four hours of classes are not enough. You have to work at home as well, because that is where the foundation is built.
— What is your teaching method? What is the most effective way to learn a language?
— The most important thing is not to give up and to remain positive. A language should be learned through play, so that the process is enjoyable. I have a Ukrainian student who says, “I come here because it is fun.” And that is wonderful!
You should not be afraid of making mistakes. It is important to understand the structure of sentences and calmly learn the vocabulary. As a teacher, I am gentle because I do not want people to close themselves off. But as an examiner — I have now received the appropriate license — I can be strict.
— Working with people can be exhausting. How do you recover and recharge?
— These days, my work gives me more energy than it takes away. At first, it was difficult because I had very high expectations of myself and was afraid that I was “not like the Germans.” Now, the gym and meeting other Ukrainians help me. My family is my main support. I live with my sister and my nieces and nephews. My friends and parents in Ukraine also give me strength through our conversations, even though the war is happening right outside their windows.
— Do you plan to stay in Passau?
— I would like a more active life. I like Vienna, for example. In Kyiv, I was used to a very active cultural life: theatres, cinemas. I also love skiing, but I have not tried it here yet — I need some company. The last time I was in Kyiv, I went skiing with a friend, and it was unforgettable. So, for now I am in Passau. As for what happens next — I do not know.
— You said that you like learning. Are you learning anything new at the moment?
— Yes. I am currently taking a course in neuro-linguistic coaching. It is an approach that helps people learn languages by understanding how the brain works and how to overcome emotional blocks.That is exactly what interests me — the combination of psychology and languages. I also attend book presentations and seminars in different cities across Germany.
— Do you consider yourself a happy person today?
— At the moment, yes. I have achieved something in a new country, even though it was not easy. Of course, if it were not for the war, I would probably have opened my own online school in Ukraine by now, because I had already outgrown my work at the gymnasium. I worked there as a methodologist for ten years. I believe that a lot depends on the person themselves. If you were active at home, you will find your place wherever you are. You simply have to take a step forward, stop comparing yourself with the past and keep living. I am an optimist. My father always says, “Everything will be fine. The most important thing is not to argue and to live in peace with your loved ones.” His words inspire me.
— What do you dream about today?
— I dream of peace — in Ukraine and throughout the world. Everyone is living under a certain amount of tension today. Even Germans feel afraid. I dream of having my own family and of my loved ones being healthy. The war has taught me to become calmer. I used to be much more stressed, but now I understand that communication is the key to everything. Only through conversation can you solve any problem.
Interview and editorial editing:
Slava Onufryk, Ukrainian journalist and volunteer
