17-year-old Ukrainian student says if he doesn't stay in America, he'll 'die in war'

I think this is worth sharing to all our members here. I am moved by this, partially because I am 17 years old also, and because Iowa is close to Illinois, and Matthew is not that far away from us. I am even considering driving over there, with Cody and a couple other members to see Matthew and offer our support. Matthew lives only 3 hours away from me.
Let's all pray and hope Matthew is not forced to return to the Ukraine right now, and that our government will work with the Ukraine government to let him stay here where it is safe.

17-year-old Ukrainian student says if he doesn't stay in America, he'll 'die in war'
Sarah Kay LeBlanc
Des Moines Register

Every time Matthew Frantsuzhan talks to his mom in Ukraine, he knows it could be the last time.

"She's said that, 'Well, I can be killed every moment,'" Frantsuzhan, a Valley High School student in West Des Moines, said.

The 17-year-old Ukrainian exchange student has been in the U.S. since August 2021. He's taken advantage of the activities Valley High School offers, currently singing in three choirs and practicing for the school's production of the musical Brigadoon.

Those activities help him escape his worries for his home, devastated by bombings, and his family, trapped in a country at war with Russia.

Choral director Haley Gibbons works with Frantsuzhan often. She said she's sending prayers to Frantsuzhan's family, and has been impressed by his skills in composing.

"We're just very happy that he's here right now," she said.

My life was there, my soul was there, and I want this school to educate even more kids in the future," he said.

Frantsuzhan's hometown is about an eight-hour trip to Kyiv, the country's capital. His mother made that journey last Wednesday holding a plane ticket out of the country, trying to leave before war broke out. She arrived on the Thursday morning Russian troops began their invasion.

She remains stuck in Kyiv. Her flight was canceled and airports closed, and she now joins the thousands of people desperately trying to escape, he said.

His father left Ukraine a few weeks ago on a business trip to Dubai, where he is still.

His grandmother and great-grandmother refuse to leave their Zaporizhzhia home, built more than 100 years ago. The house has survived two world wars and the 1917 October Revolution, and Frantsuzhan said they plan to stay there until whatever end, he said.

"It can happen that this August was the last time I saw them and I don't know what to think about this because I love them and I want our family to be together," he said.

Frantsuzhan feels helpless receiving videos and photos from family and friends about the war. He said he can't imagine being there, though he may have to return soon.

In June, his exchange program will end. He's been told students have to go back to their home countries or to their parents, if they have moved. He wants to come back to the states for college and eventually become a music teacher at Valley.

He's not sure how he will get a new visa in the middle of a war, though. And if he's in Ukraine in October, when he turns 18, he may not be allowed to leave the country, which has mandated men 18 to 60 stay.

If Frantsuzhan returns, it likely won't be to the country he remembers. His memories of Ukraine are of music, of the first solo-trip he took last summer to see friends in west Ukraine and of bike rides in the forest.

He thinks of his friends often, some of who want to fight in the war. He just wants all of his loved ones to be safe, though he knows that's not guaranteed.

"I don't want to be worried all the time about my friends, about my family, because it's not normal," he said. "It's not supposed to be like this. I just want them all to be safe and I hope we can get through this together."

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17-year-old Ukrainian student says if he doesn't stay in America, he'll 'die in war' Cmshdc10

17-year-old Ukrainian student says if he doesn't stay in America, he'll 'die in war' New-3_10

17-year-old Ukrainian student says if he doesn't stay in America, he'll 'die in war' Murdsz10

I gave Caden a reputation point for this post, because I think to show concern for another teenager the way he did, and someone who lives in a bordering State, shows a pretty caring boy we got here on our Administrative team.

I also hope and pray that Matthew be allowed to remain in the United States after June, and that his family stays safe.

If you need any help setting this visit up Caden, or need a place to stay over in Iowa, I have a Wyndham Rewards card for over there you can use.

Caden, let me know if you go and what date, I may a couple friends that will go too from here, since we also live in Illinois. The more that can go show more support for Matthew if he gets static about leaving in June, the better if we all rally around him.

I really hope he gets to stay until his parents both are in another Country and he can go there to join them.

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17-year-old Ukrainian student says if he doesn't stay in America, he'll 'die in war' Fca-lo10

17-year-old Ukrainian student says if he doesn't stay in America, he'll 'die in war' 3793b310

Think it's a great idea to get this out there Caden. Right now Matthew needs the support of other high schoolers to keep him from being forced into a war zone.

Spoke to Caden and I'm in for the trip to Iowa once it can be set up.

Espero que Matthew tenha permissão para permanecer em Iowa. É muito bom que você vá vê-lo Caden, junto com seus amigos. Por favor, tenha uma viagem segura para lá quando você for, e diga a Matthew que amigos internacionais como Enrico e eu estamos apoiando que ele possa ficar nos Estados Unidos também.

Я очень надеюсь, что Мэтью сможет остаться в Соединенных Штатах. Сейчас на Украине очень плохо, поэтому я надеюсь, что его семья быстро и очень безопасно выберется оттуда. Спасибо за то, что вы поддерживаете Мэтью, и я желаю вам успехов в организации вашей поездки в Айову.

If I lived there, I would be willing to go with all of you to see Matthew. Please give him my best from all of us in Delaware.

If you all go, let me know if you need anything on your road trip, like snacks, gas card, ect... I can help you out a little and I think it's awesome you all are doing that.

É muito atencioso o que você e seus amigos estão fazendo, viajar para Iowa e se encontrar com Matthew. Eu acho que ele ficará feliz em ver todos vocês e se sentirá bem que todos vocês o apoiam em querer ficar nos Estados Unidos.

Guest

that is fantastic just give him our regards and hope he can stay where he is

Grazie Caden per essere un amico solidale con Matthew. Per favore, facci sapere come va la tua visita e chi di Teen Lounge viene con te

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17-year-old Ukrainian student says if he doesn't stay in America, he'll 'die in war'