Valeriia Shynkarenko shares about adjusting to life in the U.S. after immigrating from Ukraine.
When I first immigrated to the United States from Ukraine, it felt like entering a new world. Everything was different — the language, the educational system, even the way people greet one another. Immigration is always talked about as a journey, but for me, it felt like walking across a bridge that was being built beneath my feet.
To succeed, I had to tap into the courage to take the initiative, patience to adapt to a new society and determination to give back to the community that was now my home. Courage was the most important element for me at the beginning. Saying goodbye to friends, school, sports and routines was terrifying.
I remember the first day in an American classroom — unable to understand half of what the teacher was explaining and afraid to ask anything. With time, I learned that courage doesn’t mean being fearless — it means moving forward even when you are scared. Then came the adjustment phase.
Living in a foreign country is not just about learning a language, but about understanding a culture. I realized that blending in is not losing yourself — it’s about combining your origins with a new environment. Sharing Ukrainian cuisine with classmates and joining community activities helped me slowly feel at home. The most rewarding part has been learning how to give back.