Julia Oussenko Mom
What was the most important thing to you that you had to leave behind (if any) in your home country?
“The most important thing I had to leave behind in my home country was my family. It was the hardest thing I ever did, but I later managed to help them leave too. Giving them a better and safer life to live.”
What would you say was an important part of keeping your culture alive when you sought refuge in another country?
“Through my family. I taught my children and husband how to speak Ukrainian, making sure that our language and heritage remained strong. This connection to our roots has been irreplaceable.”
What circumstances caused you to leave your home country?
“I left my home country, Ukraine, due to the collapse of the Soviet Union. The political and economic weakness that followed made it impossible to stay. Wanting a better future for myself, I decided it was best for me to leave my family and home country and go to the United States.”
What was the biggest struggle of being a refugee?
“The biggest struggle of being a refugee was getting started. Finding opportunities when coming from nothing was incredibly hard. It took a lot of hard work to build a new life from scratch. Including starting a new family, being able to bring my family to the United States from Ukraine, and getting a job.”
What was the biggest cultural shock/difference you experienced?
“The lack of care in America, which was a totally different experience than the strict regulations and atmosphere of Ukraine and the Soviet Union. The freedom and casualness in daily life were both surprising and challenging to adapt to. It took time to adjust to such a different way of living.”
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