Editor’s Note: As Ukraine’s 26th Independence Day approaches on Aug. 24, the Kyiv Post is asking Ukrainians who live abroad to send in their picture with answers to the following questions for publication. Send to Kyiv Post chief editor Brian Bonner at [email protected]. The published replies can be found here: Ukrainian Voices From Abroad.
Kyiv Post: Where are you from in Ukraine?
Mariya Yukhymenko: I am from Chernihiv.
KP: When did you leave; why did you leave?
I first came to the U.S. for the 2003-04 academic year on an academic non-degree exchange program to study at an undergraduate level. I spent that year in Superior, Wisconsin. I learned a lot and my horizons became wider. I returned home to finish my undergraduate degree and after earning B.A. and specialist degrees in physical education, choreography, and valeology from Chernihiv National Pedagogical University, I knew I wanted to earn a doctoral-level degree to teach and to engage in high quality research at a university. As a result, I applied for the Fulbright grant to pursue a M.A. in educational psychology at a university in the U.S. During my two-year master’s, I engaged with a research project and published an article in a peer-review journal. I realized that I was enjoying statistics, traveling and presenting at conferences, and a 9-month academic calendar. It was logical for me to continue my graduate education and pursue my Ph.D. Three years later, I successfully defended my doctoral dissertation and earned a title of doctor of philosophy in educational psychology with a focus on statistics and quantitative research methods!
KP: How did you end up where you live?
When I graduated with my Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut, I worked as a Visiting Research Specialist at the University of Illinois at Chicago in Chicago for 3 years. I was a key personnel on an almost 20-million research grant from the Institute of Education Science, being responsible for data analyses. Once the project was over, I applied for a few places and accepted a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Research and Statistics position at California State University, Fresno.
KP: Do you ever regret that you are not in Ukraine – why or why not?
I don’t regret my life decisions in general. I am sure I would have been happy had I stayed in Ukraine. I acknowledge that my life would have been much different: I am a master of sports of Ukraine in rhythmic gymnastics, hold an undergraduate degree in Physical Education and Dance, and prior to my Fulbright experience, I was teaching children to dance in Chernihiv School of Dance Allyans which I was absolutely enjoying! Nevertheless, I am very happy to be here in California because I am able to realize my potential, to thrive as an individual while contributing to society, and to be successful both professionally and personally.
KP: What do you miss most about Ukraine?
MY: I miss feeling three things: the noise and smell of thunderstorms in May, the smell of linden in June, and the feel of dry yellow maple leaves as I used to step on them walking late at night in the central park in Chernihiv in October. I miss doing some things, too: I miss walking because I used to walk a lot in my home city, especially late at night. And I also miss my family, my friends, and my most favorite yoga group in the world: Chernihiv Yoga Sattva!
KP: What do you miss least about Ukraine?
MY: I least miss how females are sometimes treated in a Ukrainian society, especially in (but not limited to) a professional environment. I believe that equity and inclusion are important aspects of today’s globalized and internationalized world. Having lived in the U.S. for over 10 years and having been embedded within the U.S. culture on various levels, professional and personal, I gained a different perspective on fairness, respect, and tolerance for females.
KP: Does where you live have more opportunities for you than in Ukraine?
MY: Many great things have happened to my professional and personal life in the 10 years. In addition to being a Fulbright alumna, I also received a grant from the National Collegiate Research Association to conduct a study focusing in ethical conduct of Division I student-athletes. One of my published studies was acknowledged in a press-release by American Psychological Association in summer 2014, which lead to more media attention. I have met and developed collaborative relationships with the world leaders in my field, including from the U.S. and UK. I also met my extremely supportive husband and gave birth to our son whom we adore.
I really appreciate all opportunities that I have had in the U.S. I am proud that I was able to achieve so many things by working hard.
KP: What relatives/friends are left back in Ukraine?
MY: All relatives and friends were left back in Ukraine when I came to the U.S. over 10 years ago, but I regularly keep in touch with my immediate family and most dear friends. In 10 years, I have also acquired friend and family in the U.S., too.
KP: Do they visit you or do you visit them? Often?
MY: I wanted both my mom and my sister to visit me when I gave birth to our son a few years ago; unfortunately, they both got visa denials. Fortunately, my mom re-applied just a few months ago and she is currently visiting me for the first time since I came to the U.S.! It is great to share with her my experiences. I have visited Ukraine eight times in the past 10 years, sometimes for as long as 8 weeks! The academic calendar allows plenty of opportunities for long vacations. The last visit was in summer 2016, and the three of us spent almost 6 weeks in Chernihiv, Ukraine.
KP: With Ukraine coming up to its 26th anniversary of national independence, how do you feel about your homeland? Is it making progress as a nation? Or not so much?
MY: I am proud for Ukraine as an independent country. I think Ukraine is making good progress as a nation and I hope that there will be fewer obstacles in its path
KP: What would it take for you to return?
MY: My husband, who is non-Ukrainian, and I would be open to moving to Ukraine. Nevertheless, there are a few things of our concern: financial security, a job with a good life-work balance that allows for self-realization, relative economic stability, and safety and equity/inclusion in local community.
KP: What do you wish for your country?
MY: I wish for my country to continue developing and to cherish its own unique identity.
KP: Do you think that wish will come true?
MY: I do think so!
