Mariia Yastreba is one of many international students in Florida, who came to the country for the purpose of pursuing an education. She has established herself in the U.S. and is getting accustomed with the foreign country to become successful in her chosen career. (Caplin News/ Sonya Stolar)
International students face a variety of challenges, while pursuing an education in the United States. Whether it is visa regulations, rapidly fluctuating immigration policies, homesickness and more—they are determined to obtain a diploma.
Mariia Yastreba is one of many international students in Florida, who came to the country for the purpose of pursuing an education. She has established herself in the U.S. and is getting accustomed with the foreign country to become successful in her chosen career.
Yet, even when more than 5,600 miles away, she is trying to maintain her connection to her cultural identity. Though worries about her status in the U.S. and challenges international students usually face are present, her longing for home intensifies, as it is currently at war.
Marria is amongst 1.2 million international (Opendoors.org) students in the United States. Around 2,300 of whom are from Ukraine (Migrationpolicy.org). She tries to stay connected and involved even if far away.While she came here for education, around 10 million (International Organization for Migration) other Ukrainians were displaced since the beginning of the full scale war in Ukraine. Her belongings represent cultural heritage and her nationality. Vyshyvanka—national attire; Ukrainian passport and flag; religious icon which reflects Ukraine’s main religion.Despite being so far from home, she has built a life here, like other 4,500 students at Florida International University (ISSS services at FIU). She lives in a student apartment with her cat, two dogs and her boyfriend from Kazakhstan.The United States became a home to 122,085 (Presidents’ Alliance) refugee students. It is believed for more than 54,000 (The Pie) to be in a refugee circumstance on an F-1 visa, the same visa Mariia is on.She reads in Ukrainian, if not English. The books cover political and socio-cultural topics which correspond with her career choice—she studies journalism with a focus in political science. Close to 100% of international students are bilingual, having knowledge of two or more languages. She misses her family, which is an inevitable part of being an international student. It is dangerous to visit home during the full scale invasion, but Mariia doesn’t sit out on the chance to see her family during the holidays.Her mother ships her boxes of Ukrainian sweets and foods, which let her have a taste of home.Mariia’s mother gifted her a photo album filled with photographs of her family. Along with homesickness, pressure and anxiety caused by uncertainty from constantly changing immigration policies, visa revocations over the use of free speech, ICE involvement on campus and the challenging process to get the needed documents—becomes a part of everyday life.Mariia goes to rallies in support of Ukraine. This one marked the fourth year since the beginning of the full scale invasion. There are approximately 5,000 Ukrainians living in South Florida Central Florida Public Media).Her boyfriend has been coming to the rallies with her ever since they started dating. Mariia hopes to write an article about it for her university’s paper. She is obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree, although only 17% of international students who obtain such a diploma stay in the U.S (Economic Innovation Group).Mariia wants to go back home and use her education to help her country. She believes that it is up to her generation whether Ukraine gets rebuilt. Her career of choice and the knowledge that is accumulated through her studies are all a part of the dream of displaying the realities of war at home. While approximately 294,000 international students (Apply Board) aim for an Optional Practical Training following their graduation in hopes of a more certain future, some take a different path.Despite her successes and battles fought here, she still has one dream—for her home to be peaceful again.
Sonia Stolar is a junior studying Digital Communication and Media on a Digital Journalism track. She aspires to combine her passions for photography and writing in her future career as a journalist.
