The Experiences of War Migrants in Poland. Review of Dominika Izdebska-Długosz’s Book Refugee Stories: Ukrainian Students at the Jagiellonian University about Themselves (Lublin: Academicon ­Publishing House, 2025)

Abstract

The article reviews Dominika Izdebska-Długosz’s book Refugee Narratives. Jagiellonian University Students from Ukraine About Themselves (2025), which explores the experiences of young war migrants from Ukraine studying in Poland. The publication contributes to qualitative research on forced migration and is based on narrative interviews that capture individual biographies in the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The review discusses key themes of the book, including the disruption of educational trajectories, differences in language competences, language choices (Ukrainian vs. Russian), and the processes of social and academic adaptation in Poland. Particular attention is given to the transformation of migrant identities and the redefinition of the concept of “home,” often associated with a decreased willingness to return to Ukraine.

The methodological value of the work is also emphasized, especially the use of narrative interviews and the publication of full transcripts, which preserve the authenticity of the respondents’ experiences. The book represents a significant contribution to migration studies, multilingualism research, and the education of war migrants, offering valuable insights for language teaching and the social sciences.