{"id":1897,"date":"2025-04-23T18:45:59","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T23:45:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/?p=1897"},"modified":"2025-04-25T11:01:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T16:01:38","slug":"mariya-hrechynska-adjusts-to-life-in-america-after-leaving-ukraine-at-sixteen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/2025\/04\/23\/mariya-hrechynska-adjusts-to-life-in-america-after-leaving-ukraine-at-sixteen\/","title":{"rendered":"Mariya Hrechynska Adjusts To Life In America After Leaving Ukraine At Sixteen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mariya Hrechynska and her family in Ukraine wearing Ukrainian national clothes. (Photo provided by: Mariya Hrechynska)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

It\u2019s easy to walk around the halls of JCCC and feel we\u2019re 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI moved to the United States because of the war in Ukraine when I was 16,\u201d Hrechynska said. \u201cMy 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\u2019m staying with her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe adjustment was hard in the beginning. I came here alone without my parents when I was 16, so everything felt very new and different,\u201d Hrechynska added. \u201cI didn\u2019t 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With all of the challenges, Hrechynska believes getting used to the school system was the biggest difference she encountered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the biggest differences I noticed between the United States and Ukraine is high school,\u201d Hrechynska said. \u201cWhen 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\u2014biology, chemistry, and physics\u2014every 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\u2019re basically doing calculus one, but there\u2019s no option to choose things like advanced algebra or statistics.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from noticing a difference in the school system, Hrechynska believes there is a difference between gender norms when it comes to sports.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere in the United States, girls play actual sports like soccer and basketball, and schools have separate teams for girls,\u201d Hrechynska mentioned. \u201cIn 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\u2019s not that common. Most girls in Ukraine go to dance classes, music school, or do gymnastics instead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Along with the difference in sports involvement for girls, Hrechynska was shocked by how easy it was to start bonds and make friends here.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the United States, friendships can start really casually,\u201d Hrechynska said. \u201cSomeone might compliment your outfit\u2014like, \u2018I love your skirt!\u2019\u2014and next thing you know, you\u2019re exchanging Snapchats and hanging out. In Ukraine, teenagers usually have a close group of friends that they\u2019ve known since early childhood, and it\u2019s not very common to talk to strangers or make new friends quickly. People don\u2019t smile at strangers on the street either\u2014it would seem strange, and someone might think you\u2019re being weird or even following them. But here, it\u2019s normal and nice when people smile or say \u2018hi\u2019 to strangers. I really like that about the United States.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With United States citizens in mind, Hrechynska noticed that people in the United states tend to be very accepting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy favorite part of living here is that people generally mind their own business,\u201d Hrechynska said. \u201cThey\u2019re focused on their own lives and don\u2019t usually judge others for how they look or dress. People are more accepting and open-minded in that way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Although she has found many aspects of the United States that she enjoys, Hrechynska misses many things from her home country.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy least favorite part [of living here] is that you can\u2019t really walk anywhere,\u201d Hrechynska added. \u201cIn Ukraine, everything is close\u2014you can walk to school, the grocery store, the park, or even the cinema. It\u2019s convenient and you don\u2019t 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\u2019t like is the food\u2014the quality here is much worse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though she has faced some difficulties when moving to the United States, Hrechynska is grateful for the academic aid opportunities that JCCC has.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight now I\u2019m in my second year at Johnson County Community College, and I really enjoy studying here,\u201d Hrechynska said. \u201cI like that JCCC gives students a lot of opportunities\u2014like 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\u2019t understand something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hrechynska is pleased with the academic assistance she has received throughout her time here at JCCC, especially with her demanding major.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs 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,\u201d Hrechynska said. \u201cThe science resource center has been a huge help. Back in Ukraine, and even in some other universities in the United States, you don\u2019t usually get this kind of free help. You just study on your own, and that\u2019s it. So I didn\u2019t expect this from college here, but I\u2019m very happy about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hrechynska is determined to reach her goals, and she is not afraid of any challenge that may come her way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs for me, I came here alone at 16, and it wasn\u2019t easy. But I\u2019m working hard to reach my goals. I want to become a doctor one day, and I\u2019m doing everything I can to make that happen,\u201d Hrechynska said. \u201cI want people to know that I\u2019m focused, determined, and always open to learning new things and meeting new people. I\u2019ve been through a lot, but it only made me stronger.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from being dedicated and committed to finishing school, Hrechynska is adamant about exposing others to her religious practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, I want people to understand more about my religion,\u201d Hrechynska said. \u201cA lot of people here don\u2019t know what the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is. They usually think I\u2019m either just Orthodox or Roman Catholic, but I\u2019m not. Ukrainian Greek Catholic is its own branch\u2014it\u2019s Catholic, but with Eastern traditions, and it\u2019s a big part of our culture and identity back home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Although she has faced challenges while here, Hrechynska couldn\u2019t be prouder to be Ukrainian.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want people to know that I\u2019m from Ukraine, and even though life there can be really hard, especially now because of the war, people are strong, kind, and very hardworking,\u201d Hrechynska declared. \u201cWe care a lot about family, traditions, and education. I\u2019m really proud of where I come from.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s easy to walk around the halls of JCCC and feel we\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":1915,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[261],"ppma_author":[260],"class_list":["post-1897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","tag-mariya-hrechynska"],"author_meta":{"display_name":"Saul Epstein","author_link":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/author\/sepstein\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/files\/2025\/04\/IMG_6939.jpeg","coauthors":[{"link":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/author\/aubrey-may\/","display_name":"Aubrey May"}],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["Featured<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Featured<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["Mariya Hrechynska<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Mariya Hrechynska<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 1 year ago","modified":"Updated 1 year ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on April 23, 2025","modified":"Updated on April 25, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on April 23, 2025 6:45 pm","modified":"Updated on April 25, 2025 11:01 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"authors":[{"term_id":260,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"aubrey-may","display_name":"Aubrey May","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g","author_category":"","first_name":"","last_name":"","user_url":"","job_title":"","description":""}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/files\/2025\/04\/IMG_6939.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1897"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1897\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1910,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1897\/revisions\/1910"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1897"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=1897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}