Interview with Milana Shaposhnyk
Milana Shaposhnyk was the first prize winner in the 4Voices Public Speaking Competition for Teenagers in 2025 with her powerful speech Your voice matters: the war is real and so is your power to change it. The 17-year-old Ukranian currently lives in Caldes d’Estrac, close to her foster family, Rutger Friederichs, his wife Daphne and their son Elias. Here’s her backstory.
Where were you born? How many brothers and sisters do you have? Where is all your family now? Why and when did you move to Spain?
I was born in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. I don’t have any siblings. I do have cousins though. My whole family is in Ukraine now, I’m here only with my mom. I moved to Spain three years ago. Although I never wanted to leave my home, I had to… Because of Russian aggression.
From left to right: Milana’s father Olexander, her uncle Yaroslav, Milana, her aunt Anastasia, her aunt Julia and her uncle Oleg
Milana with her father
Why was it important for you to share your story about leaving Ukraine?
Because we need support. And I’m not just saying that as a nice opening. We really do need help. So I’m gonna talk about it for as long as it needs for people to understand.
What do you hope people remember most about what’s happening in Ukraine?
I hope people remember how hard life is for Ukrainian people and how easy it is for you to help. As I already said, one euro, one conversation, one act of support can make a huge difference.
Was there a moment when you knew, “I have to speak about this”? What inspired you to take that step?
There wasn’t a clear moment, but I did have some inspiration. My people – that’s what inspired me. Seeing all those heroes… Volunteers, soldiers and medics. They all are fighting for my future in my country. So I’m gonna fight for them in the ways I can.
Moving to a new country is never easy. What helped you adapt to life in Spain when you first arrived?
Staying in contact with people I love. First year in Spain was very hard for me. I didn’t have any friends or family here. So my loved ones made sure I know no matter what, they still love me. Later on I found people here. People who have the same opinions as me, who support me, who care about me. That’s when life started to feel a bit easier.
What was your level of English like when you arrived and how did you improve it?
Hahaha. I love this question. It’s funny how I can laugh about it now. I used to cry every day because I didn’t speak English at all. I simply couldn’t understand anyone in my school so there was no way for me to make friends or even have a conversation. And look at me now. Not only did I make friends, but I also took first place in a PUBLIC SPEAKING competition!? 4Voices really made me realise how far I’ve come and how much I can achieve no matter where I start.
From left to right: Pol Obradó, Milana and Ecko Metcalfe at the 4Voices Public Speaking Competition for Teenagers
What has it been like being fostered by a new family in Barcelona? What have they taught you and what do you think you have taught them?
They definitely taught me how randomly people who used to be just regular neighbours of yours can become your family. I feel like I really taught them how dramatically their support can really change someone’s life.
Milana with her foster family, Daphne, Elias and Rutger
What do you miss most about Ukraine and what have you discovered in Spain that now feels like home?
I miss the feeling of home… Unfortunately, nothing feels like home to me here. It’s probably because I was forced to leave in such a horrible way. A lot of Ukrainians experience it. Nothing looks, neither feels like your home when you know the price people pay to be there.
What has this public speaking journey taught you about your own voice?
It made me look at myself from a completely different perspective. A few months ago I wouldn’t believe I’m capable of even being selected in 24, not even talking about getting into the finals and winning! I definitely feel heard. I feel like my voice finally matters. People are interested in listening to me as much as I am interested in talking to them.
Was there a part of preparing your speech that was especially emotional or challenging for you?
The whole speech was extremely emotional for me. But because it was so important for me to share it didn’t feel overwhelming at all. Even the most terrifying part, about my best friend nearly dying, felt like the right thing to share. It felt like I’m finally ready to share it.
Milana with her best friend Maria
How did it feel to stand on that stage and share something so personal with so many people?
It felt right. It felt like I finally did something I had to do for a very long time.
How do you think your newly acquired public speaking skills will help you moving forward? What has it done for your confidence, for example?
Those skills already helped me! My grade in the English speaking exam went higher! Hahaha, but of course it isn’t the only one advantage. It also raised my self-esteem. Achieving something like this made me believe that my voice deserves to be heard.
What would you like people your age to understand about war and displacement?
I’m actually very happy that teenagers here don’t fully understand what war actually is and how it feels leaving your home just to survive, but I’m so disappointed how unempathetic teenagers here can be. There were so many times me or my friends were disrespected because of the war in our country. I couldn’t believe it. One of my friends had experience with guys from her school telling her “how funny it would be if there was a bomb in her house”. Another close friend of mine had experience with guys throwing coins at her, saying “it’s a donation for Ukraine”. I was called Russian so many times I even lost count. We don’t want people our age to understand all the complications of life of a Ukrainian refugee. We simply want them to show some empathy.
What are your hopes for the future – both for yourself and for Ukraine?
I hope I’m gonna be able to come back to Ukraine. With all the knowledge and experience I’ve got, I’m gonna help my country have a future it deserves.
If you could send one message to the people you left behind, what would you want them to know?
There is a line from a song that explains exactly how I feel. It goes “I’m sorry I left but it was for the best though it never felt right”. Leaving Ukraine didn’t feel right to me at all. Not even for a moment. I feel sorry and sometimes even guilty that I left, but now I know it was for the better.
