Nikita Huzenko 16, male from Kharkiv

My name is Nikita, and I am 16 years old. I was born and raised in Ukraine, in a small but cozy town called Derhachi, near Kharkiv. Since childhood, I have learned to be responsible and determined. I enjoy helping my parents around the house, keeping my room clean, and always completing any task with dedication.

One of my biggest passions is sports. I have been going to the gym for five years and practicing weightlifting. Sports strengthen not only my body but also my character. I am also interested in IT. I completed courses at IT Step, a computer school in Ukraine, where I learned about technology. In addition, I love cars and can talk endlessly about them, their features, and how they work.

I am a sociable and friendly person. I have loyal friends with whom I have shared many years of friendship. I respect people regardless of their beliefs, religion, or background. Learning about different cultures and countries has always fascinated me.

However, the past few years have been incredibly difficult. The war has completely changed my life and the lives of my family. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we had to leave our hometown for some time, but later we returned because leaving it behind was impossible. Every day, I hear explosions. Drones and missiles fly overhead, and sirens constantly sound. Almost every night, I wake up to air raid alarms and rush to a shelter with my family. This has become our new reality.

The hardest part of war is staying strong and not giving up when destruction and fear surround you. But I do not lose hope. I try to be resilient and push through any challenges. I believe hardships make us stronger.

My dream is to live, even for a short time, in the great country of the United States. Since childhood, I have admired this nation and wanted to see how people live, work, and grow there. In the U.S., I could not only find temporary peace from war but also learn new things, gain valuable experiences, and take a step toward a better future.

I am ready for any challenges, ready to learn, work, and prove that I deserve this chance. I would be truly happy if my dream came true.