Ukrainian refugee talks about the extent of bullying she faces in her American school. And it’s not just her fellow students that are doing it

A TikTok creator is shedding light on the harsh reality of being a Ukrainian refugee in an American high school after sharing her experiences with persistent bullying, the Daily Dot reported. The influencer, known as @shape_shifter01, has seen her video gain massive traction, racking up over 4.6 million views as she details the challenges she has faced since moving to America two years ago during the Ukraine War.

When she first started at her new school, the creator explained that students would frequently ask where she was from. Upon learning she was a first-generation Ukrainian refugee, many of her classmates would react with mockery. She noted, “They would laugh really hard, even though they knew where I’m from.” While she could not pinpoint exactly why they found her background so funny, the emotional toll of that initial rejection was clearly significant.

The issues she faced were not limited to her peers, as she also described an encounter with an English teacher that she labeled as “really bizarre.” After being assigned an essay with instructions to use double-spacing, the student was confused because that format is not common in Ukraine. She interpreted the instruction literally and placed a double space between every single word. When she turned in the assignment, it was returned weeks later with a note stating, “Incorrect essay form.”

Instead of providing a helpful explanation when she asked for clarification, the teacher decided to ridicule her

According to the creator, the teacher joked about the mistake in front of the entire class, a habit that continued throughout the remainder of the school year. The situation escalated into what she described as “big dog territory bullying” during an incredibly difficult time in her personal life. She received news that her uncle had been injured by missile shrapnel and was facing the potential for amputation or death. Despite the obvious weight of that news, she still showed up to school only to be confronted by a group of girls who had been harassing her.

One of these students approached her and asked, “Are any of your relatives dead yet?” before bursting into laughter. While the other students in the group appeared surprised by the comment and apologized for their friend’s behavior, the student who made the remark continued to laugh at the creator’s visible distress.

Many people who viewed the video have stepped up to offer support and express their disappointment in the school environment she described. One commenter remarked, “People lack so much empathy…it’s disgusting.” Another user shared a sentiment of solidarity, writing, “I’m sorry this is your experience.”

While the identity of the school and the individuals mentioned have not been confirmed, the account provided by @shape_shifter01 serves as a stark reminder of how important it is to treat others with kindness, especially those navigating life in a completely new culture.