Ukrainian Exchange Students Share Their Transformative Year in Sedona

Ukrainian exchange students Milana “Mila” Ovcharenko, 17, and Svitlana Shatrukova, 16, are set to return home next month after a transformative year at Sedona Red Rock High School. The pair, categorized as juniors at SRRHS, will participate in the graduation ceremony on May 21, despite their home country’s high school system typically spanning just two years for grades 10 and 11.

Ovcharenko reflected on their journey, saying, “We got lucky that we passed through this program. When I met Svitlana, she seemed very quiet, and I didn’t know how we’d get along. Now, we’re like best friends.”

Shatrukova highlighted the importance of sharing a more nuanced perspective of Ukraine, stating, “We taught Sedona about our country’s beauty, not just its struggles. The news often focuses solely on the war, but we introduced our culture and traditions.”

Both students are part of the Future Leaders Exchange program, a U.S. Department of State-funded initiative administered by American Councils for International Education. Ovcharenko expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that only 50 students were selected from 5,000 applications.

Staying in West Sedona with second-grade teacher Theresa Zaun, Shatrukova has adapted well since arriving from a small Ukrainian community. She described her family’s support: “They understood my desire to study in the U.S. and encouraged my decision to seize opportunities here.”

Zaun praised Shatrukova’s independent spirit and volunteer work, noting, “Svitlana has shared her experiences of the war, staying in her aunt’s basement for weeks without knowing if it was safe to go outside. Hearing her story is both difficult and deeply moving.”

Shatrukova plans to take a gap year after returning home, intending to study architecture. She stated, “I have no fears about going back. I’m ready for what’s next.”

Ovcharenko aims to enroll in a university in Kyiv, focusing on nutrition and possibly international relations. “My experience here opened my eyes to different cultures and global connections,” she explained. Having lived in a town close to the Russian border, she noted, “Every day brought challenges, especially with safety concerns due to ongoing conflict.”

She emerged as a star on the basketball team, even being awarded Most Improved. “I’m thrilled with my progress and plan to continue playing,” she said. Ovcharenko comes from a large family, including a brother serving in the Ukrainian army, whose commitment to protect their family during wartime resonates deeply with her.

“Returning home fills me with happiness, but it’s bittersweet,” she shared. “Despite the threats, being with my family brings comfort.”