Moved to the U.S. at 16, Built a Life from Scratch, and Turned Passion into a Career

My Story

I am a Ukrainian girl who was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and moved to Northern California at the age of 16. Ever since I was 14, moving to the U.S. had been my biggest dream—a goal I pursued with determination. However, my journey here did not unfold the way I had envisioned. When the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, I had to leave my home suddenly, in just one day. In the face of uncertainty, I chose to find light in the darkness, using the opportunity to turn my unexpected departure into a step toward the future I had always dreamed of.

The biggest challenge I faced was deciding to stay and build my life here on my own, knowing it meant being far from my family, who eventually returned to Europe. But I was incredibly fortunate to find an American family who welcomed me into their home, becoming my second family. Even though the transition was difficult, I made a conscious choice to prioritize my career growth and future in the country of dreams and opportunities.

My Passion For Content Creation

I have always been deeply passionate about filmmaking and content creation—it is my way of expressing myself. From ideation to execution, I manage every step of the content creation process, thinking like a director and strategist. Whether it’s filming, editing, directing, or even stepping in front of the camera, I pour my heart into every project.

As a perfectionist, I focus on the smallest details, ensuring that every piece of content I create is impactful. With a musical background, I carefully select and integrate sound to enhance the emotions of a video, making sure people feel the story I am telling. Content creation is my language of storytelling.

Right now, my work primarily revolves around creating high-quality short-form videos and social media content for brands. However, I see this as just the beginning—one day, I aspire to create something even bigger.

My Immigration Journey

I graduated from San Rafael High School in Marin County and have been fully immersed in building my career ever since. Immigration has shaped me in profound ways, pushing me beyond my comfort zone and helping me grow. The first steps in a new country are always the hardest—new continent, new people, new language. But the more I embraced my ambitions, the more I learned, achieved, and realized that success is defined by mindset and perseverance.

Living in the U.S. has taught me that your circumstances do not determine your life—your thoughts and ambitions do. You are the one who decides how far you can go and how successful you can be. My immigration journey has been challenging, but I have never regretted it. It has brought me to where I am today—doing what I love, traveling, learning about the world, and being surrounded by incredible people.

I believe that my journey is not just about my personal growth, but also about contributing to the future of the United States—a country that gave me an opportunity, one that I will make sure pays off. I am here to grow, create, and invest in the prosperity of this country, using my passion and skills to make an impact.