Being an immigrant in the United States is a challenging and rewarding process. Challenging because you are facing a culture shock, rewarding because you get a second chance to make your life better. I was born in the Ukraine, a conservative country, where people rely on God and believe in the president. By 2009, most people had lost their faith in God and their trust in the government. Corruption was booming in 2009. For young people it became almost impossible to succeed and gain entrance into schools of medicine or dentistry without connections and substantial financial resources. Although my grades and my national test scores were competitive, we were not in a position financially to pay for entrance into university. Although it was not my first choice, I enrolled in a Bachelors program in Journalism at the National Aviation University in Kiev.
I buried my desire to become health care provider deep under the mass of journalistic articles, investigations and interviews. I graduated with a reputation of a good journalist working at bad TV station. My career as a journalist did not last long as I was uncomfortable promoting corrupt political parties and leaders.
While I was pursuing my undergraduate degree I had the opportunity to come to the United States as an exchange student, through a work and travel program. Immediately upon returning to the Ukraine I realized I wanted to return to the United States and I returned in 2015 with a strong desire to change my life. I started working as a dental assistant without knowing anything about dentistry. I was following doctors from room to room asking questions, because I believe in the philosophy that the only way to get an answer is by asking a question.
After being a dental assistant for three years I realized that I needed to go back to school to pursue a career as a dental hygienist. I completed my prerequisites and applied to the Dental Hygiene program at New York City College of Technology. I was admitted for the class of 2019. It should be clear from what I have written that I am extremely ambitious and willing to hold responsibility for the decisions that I have made. I try to never let fear of the unknown penetrate my skin and I see every life situation as a challenge which I will eventually overcome.
