VOICES From Migrations | Olga Momat's story

“VOICES From Migrations” is a project co-funded by the European Union exploring untold migration stories. Olga Momat moved from Moldova to Greece in 2014. This is her story:

Olga Momat | VOICES From Migrations

“My name is Olga, and I am 32 years old. I was born in Moldova, in Chisinau, and I started my journey abroad from a young age. At 13, my parents and I decided that it would be beneficial for me to attend an international school, so I moved to a boarding school in Austria, where I studied for three years. Then, on my own, I moved to England for two years, completing my International Baccalaureate (IB). During a summer vacation in Greece, I became so fascinated by the country that I decided to change my plans and move to Thessaloniki, where I found a university program in agriculture and business, similar to what I had in mind.

It wasn’t easy to integrate right away. Even though I studied at an English-speaking university, most people spoke only Greek. I had never taken Greek courses, so I had to learn on my own, through daily immersion. The language barrier created difficulties, especially when I started working as an intern at a company where no one spoke English. It was frustrating, but it forced me to learn. Over time, I became able to speak it well, but writing in Greek is still a challenge.

What really stood out, however, was the incredible warmth and hospitality of the Greek people. Despite coming from a different culture, they welcomed me with open arms. Strangers invited me into their homes to spend holidays and even took me to their villages and weddings. This genuine kindness made me feel part of the community, and it made my integration much easier.

Looking back, I realize that my moves from one country to another helped me grow a lot. Each stop taught me to be more independent, to solve problems by myself, and to understand other cultures. But if there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s that to face the challenges of migration, one must be open, patient, and ready not to give up, because every difficulty can turn into a valuable lesson for growth.”

Interview by: Giuseppe Bellassai, Maria Eduarda Magalhães Carrara, Paris Nestoras, Ruban Nkenlifack, Liman Zhang

Olga Momat's interview, excerpt

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.