In parts of northern Ukraine, near the border with Belarus, Russian troops were firmly in control for several weeks after Russia’s full-scale invasion started in 2022. The World revisits a story from the Chernihiv region, about how residents there are putting their lives back together, even while the war rages on. We also go back to a school in Romania where Ukrainians are starting over. And, Ukrainians are finding ways to keep living their lives amid war. That includes searching for — and finding — love.

School is out for the summer! But we have one more assignment for you. If you are a student or a recent graduate from an American university, we’d like to know why you chose to study in the US. Was it what you hoped for? What do you like, what do you not like? When you graduate will you return home? Record a voice memo with your story. Include your name and location and email the voice memo to myworld@theworld.org. We might feature your story on the program.