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“Look! We have electricity and no bombs,” Ruslana’s mom joked over the phone one day, once again trying to convince her daughter to move to the United States. For many people, an opportunity like that would have been an easy decision. But for Ruslana, it meant leaving behind the life she had worked so hard to build.
She had just graduated from one of the top medical schools in Ukraine and stood at a difficult crossroads. Should she leave behind the career she had dreamed of her entire life to start over in a new country?
Leaving is hard; starting over is harder, as the old haunts of what once linger in the new realities of life.
Ruslana’s Story
Ruslana experienced unusual calamity during her time in the hospital, as Ukraine endured COVID-19 and an invasion from Russia in a two-year span. With hopes the war would cease shortly, she continued working in the hospital. Russia targeted important infrastructures, leaving days where the heat was completely cut and the electricity was out from 9am-8pm.
Her family finally had enough and decided to leave. Her brother was the first to go, moving his family to the United States, followed by her mother. Ruslana had nearly finished medical school and didn’t want to back out before finishing, so she stayed behind.
Graduation came and graduation went and the war continued on. Ruslana couldn’t fathom the idea of leaving behind everything she loved, but she also couldn’t ignore the fact that her personal safety was more important than anything. So shortly after graduation, Ruslana contacted her mom with the news that she would come to the United States.
The approval process to come to the United States is long and tedious, so Ruslana thought she would have plenty of time to say her goodbyes. But to her surprise, the documents were approved in less than two weeks, and in July of 2024 she was on an airplane leaving her home.
After 37 hours of flying Ruslana touched down in Spokane, Washington and reunited with her family. After recovering from terrible jet lag and adjusting to this new home, she decided it was time to look for a job.
Fresh out of med school, Ruslana had high hopes for the work ahead of her. “I will get any job I want.” Ruslana thought. But she was quickly humbled as she learned of the competitive workforce as well as the extra difficulty being a foreigner presents. Eventually, she settled for a job as a deli clerk.
“People were so mean to me because I didn’t speak English very well. I wish they knew how smart and capable I am.”
Ruslana worked hard her entire life to succeed, and she wasn’t going to let an entry-level deli clerk job put an end to that. So she set her sights on med school again, only this time, in the United States.
One of Ruslana’s relatives suggested that she talk to someone at World Relief Spokane. So she got connected to the office and was introduced to the Newcomer Career Navigation program, which helps refugees get connected to careers they had in their home countries. Through this program, she was assisted with registration applications, scholarships, books, tuition, and any questions.
“It’s nice to know someone will help.” Ruslana shared.
Today Ruslana is continuing on with her studies. Although her journey hasn’t been linear, it’s clear that with her determination, nothing can stop her.