Mariya Hrechynska and her family in Ukraine wearing Ukrainian national clothes. (Photo provided by: Mariya Hrechynska)

It’s easy to walk around the halls of JCCC and feel we’re stuck in our own American bubble. At times, it may feel like we are all the same and come from similar backgrounds, but each and every student here has a different story to tell.

Mariya Hrechynska, a second-year student from Ukraine often reflects on her journey to the United States, and experiences as a student here at JCCC.

“I moved to the United States because of the war in Ukraine when I was 16,” Hrechynska said. “My mom sent me here for safety, but it was a difficult journey because I came alone, without my parents. I flew from Warsaw to Chicago, where my aunt met me, and then we flew together to Kansas. I live in Kansas now because my aunt has been living here for almost 25 years, and I’m staying with her.”

Flying across the globe was an experience that did not come without its challenges for Hrechynska. It took a while for her to adjust to the new environment she was surrounded by.

“The adjustment was hard in the beginning. I came here alone without my parents when I was 16, so everything felt very new and different,” Hrechynska added. “I didn’t know how things work here, the language was hard, and the culture was not what I was used to. Even the school system was confusing at first. But over time it got better. I made some good friends who helped me learn English and understand American culture. They explained a lot of things to me, [and] helped me feel more comfortable.” 

With all of the challenges, Hrechynska believes getting used to the school system was the biggest difference she encountered.

“One of the biggest differences I noticed between the United States and Ukraine is high school,” Hrechynska said. “When I moved here and started my senior year, I was surprised that students can choose their classes. You can take only one science class per year, pick different levels of math, and even take electives like theater or choir. In Ukraine, we study all the sciences—biology, chemistry, and physics—every year starting from 7th grade until 11th grade, which is our graduation year. Math is just one subject that gets harder each year, and by the time you graduate, you’re basically doing calculus one, but there’s no option to choose things like advanced algebra or statistics.”

Aside from noticing a difference in the school system, Hrechynska believes there is a difference between gender norms when it comes to sports. 

“Here in the United States, girls play actual sports like soccer and basketball, and schools have separate teams for girls,” Hrechynska mentioned. “In Ukraine, school sports teams are usually only for boys. If a girl wants to play a sport, she has to sign up for it outside of school, and even then, it’s not that common. Most girls in Ukraine go to dance classes, music school, or do gymnastics instead.”

Along with the difference in sports involvement for girls, Hrechynska was shocked by how easy it was to start bonds and make friends here.

“In the United States, friendships can start really casually,” Hrechynska said. “Someone might compliment your outfit—like, ‘I love your skirt!’—and next thing you know, you’re exchanging Snapchats and hanging out. In Ukraine, teenagers usually have a close group of friends that they’ve known since early childhood, and it’s not very common to talk to strangers or make new friends quickly. People don’t smile at strangers on the street either—it would seem strange, and someone might think you’re being weird or even following them. But here, it’s normal and nice when people smile or say ‘hi’ to strangers. I really like that about the United States.”

With United States citizens in mind, Hrechynska noticed that people in the United states tend to be very accepting.

“My favorite part of living here is that people generally mind their own business,” Hrechynska said. “They’re focused on their own lives and don’t usually judge others for how they look or dress. People are more accepting and open-minded in that way.”

Although she has found many aspects of the United States that she enjoys, Hrechynska misses many things from her home country.

“My least favorite part [of living here] is that you can’t really walk anywhere,” Hrechynska added. “In Ukraine, everything is close—you can walk to school, the grocery store, the park, or even the cinema. It’s convenient and you don’t need to spend money on transportation. If you want to go farther, like to the city center or a mall, you just take a bus or train, which is also very accessible. Another thing I don’t like is the food—the quality here is much worse.”

Even though she has faced some difficulties when moving to the United States, Hrechynska is grateful for the academic aid opportunities that JCCC has.

“Right now I’m in my second year at Johnson County Community College, and I really enjoy studying here,” Hrechynska said. “I like that JCCC gives students a lot of opportunities—like different student programs, societies, and of course, scholarships. Overall, I love the college. People here are very friendly, and one thing that really surprised me, in a good way, is how much academic support they give. There are tutors for everything: science, writing, math, and even help with medical-related topics. You just go to the resource centers, and there are people sitting there ready to help you if you don’t understand something.”

Hrechynska is pleased with the academic assistance she has received throughout her time here at JCCC, especially with her demanding major.

“As a general science major on the pre-med track, that support has helped me a lot, especially since I want to become a doctor in the future,” Hrechynska said. “The science resource center has been a huge help. Back in Ukraine, and even in some other universities in the United States, you don’t usually get this kind of free help. You just study on your own, and that’s it. So I didn’t expect this from college here, but I’m very happy about it.”

Hrechynska is determined to reach her goals, and she is not afraid of any challenge that may come her way.

“As for me, I came here alone at 16, and it wasn’t easy. But I’m working hard to reach my goals. I want to become a doctor one day, and I’m doing everything I can to make that happen,” Hrechynska said. “I want people to know that I’m focused, determined, and always open to learning new things and meeting new people. I’ve been through a lot, but it only made me stronger.”

Aside from being dedicated and committed to finishing school, Hrechynska is adamant about exposing others to her religious practices.

“Also, I want people to understand more about my religion,” Hrechynska said. “A lot of people here don’t know what the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is. They usually think I’m either just Orthodox or Roman Catholic, but I’m not. Ukrainian Greek Catholic is its own branch—it’s Catholic, but with Eastern traditions, and it’s a big part of our culture and identity back home.”

Although she has faced challenges while here, Hrechynska couldn’t be prouder to be Ukrainian.

“I want people to know that I’m from Ukraine, and even though life there can be really hard, especially now because of the war, people are strong, kind, and very hardworking,” Hrechynska declared. “We care a lot about family, traditions, and education. I’m really proud of where I come from.”