A year and a half ago, I flew to the USA with my entire family to keep them safe while a brutal war raged in my home country of Ukraine. I traveled with three young children and my wife by car from Ukraine for three days, covering 300 miles, and then spent five days getting to the USA.
Throughout my career, my main occupation has been welding and fabricating. For the last ten years, I worked as part of a team to create a fantastic product and a company that served interior designers and anyone looking to improve their living or office space. We created Steel Glass Partition Walls from scratch, which became trendy not only in Ukraine but worldwide.
Now, I’m starting over to build a new life and career in the USA. The challenge, both then and now, remains: “It’s time to stop hiding. It’s time to rise to the challenge and grow again. It’s tough that you don’t speak English, but the task is clear - become the best in your craft regardless of the obstacles.”
Today, I am at Shasta College, starting life from scratch but with the same skill - welding. I’m improving myself and my skills, despite my level of English here at the college, and I’m deeply touched by how warmly I’ve been welcomed and understood in my speaking. I’m grateful that I obtained an AWS Certification with my instructor, Jay Davis. Thank you, Jay!
Today, I am a full-time student at Shasta College, and I am unquestionably proud and thankful for the opportunities that it provides. My life begins anew...