Our Journey From Ukraine to the U.S.: A Life-Changing Move and New Beginnings

Hey guys, welcome to our YouTube channel! Today’s video is very special because we’re sharing the story of how moving to the U.S. changed our lives completely. We made the huge decision to leave Ukraine and start fresh in the United States, and that choice brought us so much more than we ever expected. Let us take you through our journey and how it shaped the lives of our family.

From Ukraine to the U.S.

I was born in Ukraine, and my wife was born in Russia. Both countries have completely different histories, cultures, and lifestyles compared to the U.S. Before moving, we only spoke Ukrainian and Russian, so adjusting to English was a huge challenge. When we first arrived in the U.S., I could hardly understand English— I knew just a few words like “cat,” “beautiful,” “eyes,” and “sky blue.” But now, I can speak fluently, even with an accent. It’s incredible to think how far we’ve come.

I remember the first time Carolina said to me, “Mom, it’s easier to play the guitar than piano. I like it better because I can sing while I play.” This was only two months after she started learning guitar! Honestly, I couldn’t believe how much progress she had made. It reminded me of how much we’ve grown since arriving here, and how different things were in Ukraine.

Adjusting to Life in the U.S.

When we first moved here, we were excited to experience life in the United States, but I didn’t really know what to expect. The difference between the U.S. and Ukraine was like night and day. For example, when we went to Dollar Tree for the first time, I was amazed—everything there cost only a dollar! Back in Ukraine, our stores didn’t have the same variety, and sometimes, there was nothing available at all. It felt so surreal to see shelves stocked with so many items at such affordable prices.

Another huge shock was the weather. Winters in Russia and Ukraine are freezing, with tons of snow and temperatures dropping to unbearable levels. But in California, where we first moved, it was almost like spring, even in February. It was so refreshing to experience a milder climate.

Our Children: The American Dream

Since we moved to the U.S., our lives have transformed in the best possible way. Our two sons were born here and are now proud American citizens. We also have a beautiful teenage daughter, Carolina, who became famous around the world for her violin skills. She started her violin journey here in the U.S. at just six years old, right when we moved. Watching her grow and succeed in her passion has been one of the highlights of our time here.

Living in America has allowed our family to experience opportunities that we could only dream of before. From traveling across the country to seeing Carolina’s success, we’ve truly embraced the American dream.

Why We Decided to Move

Before we moved to the U.S., our life in Ukraine was going well. I had a successful business, including an online store, and we were traveling around the world. We were even building our own house in Ukraine, something we were very proud of. However, when my parents won a green card lottery and moved to the U.S., we decided it was time to join them. Our daughter missed them so much, and we knew it was the right choice for our family’s future.

But moving was not without its challenges. We had to leave behind a life we knew and start fresh in an entirely new country. We were also faced with the conflict that had arisen between Russia and Ukraine, which made the decision to leave even more pressing for our family’s safety.

The Impact of the Ukraine Conflict

The political situation in Ukraine made us increasingly worried for our family, especially with my three brothers living in Kyiv. While we are fortunate to be safe here, we continue to pray for our family back home and for all the innocent lives that are affected by the ongoing conflict. It’s a situation that’s both heartbreaking and stressful, and we are incredibly thankful for our new life in the U.S.

A New Beginning: Reflections on Our Journey

As I reflect on our journey, I can’t help but feel grateful for the opportunities we have now. Carolina’s transition to the U.S. was so smooth, and watching her grow into a talented violinist and a confident individual is something I’ll always cherish. Our sons are thriving, and our family is stronger than ever.

Although we left behind a comfortable life in Ukraine, this move was the best decision we could have made for our future. It’s given us a fresh perspective, a new sense of purpose, and the chance to raise our children in a country full of opportunity.

Thank You for Your Support

We just hit 50k subscribers on our YouTube channel, and we want to thank you all for your amazing support! Your likes, comments, and feedback motivate us to continue making videos and sharing our journey with you. Life gets busy with three kids and our careers, but knowing you’re enjoying our content makes it all worth it.

We appreciate you taking the time to watch our story and are excited to share more with you. If you haven’t subscribed yet, please do, and don’t forget to hit the bell for notifications. We can’t wait to continue sharing our journey with you.

Thank you for your love and support— see you in the next episode!