Kristina Markovets 16, female from Kherson

Hi, my name is Christina, I’m 16 years old, and I am from Ukraine. Here it’s really dangerous, so I would like to take a break from the war and remember what life is like without it — but first, I want to tell you something about me.

I was born in the Kherson region and lived there until the war. I went to school, walked with friends — now they are scattered across different parts of the world. Currently, I study software in a Ukrainian online college. It’s interesting and quirky for me, but I think I need more language practice, as this work requires it.

I have several hobbies: I like building Lego, playing guitar, and taking photos with my camera. I also enjoy physical progress — I work out at the gym and love seeing the results of my efforts. On weekends, I help my friends at a refugee camp, and on Sundays, I go to church with my family. I believe it’s important to have a personal relationship with God. I also study with an English tutor and promise to practice my English skills with native speakers someday.

My family is small: I have a mom, dad, and an older sister. We always have things to talk about. My mom works as a sales manager in a finance company, and my dad, who lost his job in our hometown because of the war, now works as a builder. I’m thankful for them because they love me, and honestly, I need nothing but safety in my country.

I also have a chinchilla named Vasil — very old, funny, and still fast! When we moved, we couldn’t take his cage, so we carried him in a box.

I want to share a small story about my hometown. Even after three years of war, I remember the explosions, the red sky, and the panic around me. Because of the war, I had to change schools three times. In each one, classmates asked why I left home, and I still can’t forget that horror. My hometown is now a frontline zone, and people there don’t understand what I felt when I saw photos of my completely destroyed house. I think that’s the worst feeling.

Living in this city, I hear the sounds of explosions and rockets outside my window every night, so it would be wonderful to get a mental rest.

I am very happy that there’s an opportunity to try life in the USA — it’s one of my dreams and goals. It would be an amazing experience and a great practice for me. I hope I will succeed and get to meet you, my future host family.