Finding New Balance: Denys’s Journey in Segré

Denys has been accompanied by Yuliya Thomas since his arrival in Segré at the beginning of March 2022.

Credit: Marie Chevillard

In Segré, Denys found a new balance. The young Ukrainian is arrived with eight other young people in March 2022 at Bourg Chevreau high school, just two weeks after the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He who didn’t speak a word of French now masters the language and has made friends. He wishes to continue his studies in Angers with the support of the Segré Lions Club, which dedicates his 2nd Traverzée to him this Saturday, September 30 in Combree.

Dressed in his traditional Ukrainian clothing, it is in French that Denys remembers his arrival in Haut-Anjou a year and a half ago: “it was a critical situation for everyone. And as I don’t know France and French I chose to make more effort to study the language”, confides the young man. He takes classes at high school with his eight compatriots in addition to his schedule and becomes friends “in judo, in French. You have to have friends, that’s the key, really.”

“Every day there are sirens and bombings”

The key to finding a new balance, because Denys’ mother remained in kyiv, under the bombs : “we have to talk otherwise, you have no news”.

In a year and a half, the 17-year-old young man was able to see his family several times, at his grandmother’s house in Italy. He is now planning in France for his future as a web developer: “my dream is to study the French language to go to Canada. But with these changes and habits, here I think that France is really very rich with its culture and everything. I believe I can stay here, study and work here“.

Denys’ objective is now toobtain the B2 level in French to access university, he who obtained a 12/20 in the French oral exam for the baccalaureate in June. To support him, meet at La Traverzée this Saturday September 30 at the Combrée lake at 3:30 p.m. for families, 4 p.m. for canicross and 4:30 p.m. for athletes.

2023-09-29 23:14:04
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