Hi, My name is Yeva and I am Ohio State athlete and international student from Ukraine
I started fencing when I was 8 years old and it quickly became a significant part of my life. Over the years, I honed my skills and developed a true passion for the sport. From the age of 15 and until nowadays, I am a part of Ukrainian national team, which gives me the opportunity to represent my country at competitions all over the world. Being part of the national team has been an incredible experience for me. It has allowed me to showcase years of hard work on a global stage and compete against some of the best fencers in the world.
Around 1.5 years ago, I made the decision to move to the United States to pursue my academic and athletic goals at the Ohio State University. As a fencer, I knew that Ohio State had a great fencing program, and I was excited to continue my training there. However, moving to a new country was a big adjustment for me, and at first, it was quite challenging. While the decision to move to the United States was a difficult one, I am confident that it was the right one. Ohio State has provided me with countless opportunities for growth and development, and I am excited to see where my academic and athletic journey takes me in the future.
Meanwhile, as I was studying and training in the USA, on February 24th 2022, war broke out in my home country. The conflict forced my family to become refugees, and many of my friends lost their homes, with some even losing their lives. The devastation caused by the war extended to the destruction of many sports facilities, making it impossible for many athletes to continue living and training in the country. War heavily impacted every Ukrainian and it still destroys peoples’ lives until today
Due to the war in Ukraine, it has become significantly more challenging to travel and represent the country internationally. The ongoing conflict has caused significant disruption to travel making it difficult to maintain the necessary connections with other nations. However, despite these challenges, it is more important than ever to continue representing Ukraine on the world stage. By promoting our culture and values, we can maintain strong ties with our international partners and ensure that our voices are heard. Despite the obstacles that we may face, we must remain committed to our goals and continue to work towards a brighter future for Ukraine.
After the war started, I found myself constantly overwhelmed with stress and anxiety. Every day, I was consumed by thoughts of what was happening back home, and it was difficult to find moments of respite from the constant barrage of news. However, I discovered that drawing became an outlet for me to escape from the chaos and find a sense of peace. In those moments, I could forget about the war and the turmoil it had brought into my life. Drawing allowed me to express myself in a way that words could not, and I found that it helped me to process my emotions and thoughts in a healthier way.
At the Ohio State I’m studying psychology, however, t's not something that I am truly passionate about. While I find it interesting, I don't feel a deep connection to it like I do with my creative side. Drawing is a form of expression that brings me immense joy and fulfillment. It's a part of me that I don't want to ignore, and I want to find a way to incorporate it into my future career. I want to find a career path that excites me and allows me to fully embrace my passion for drawing.
Why me?
I believe that I would excel in a career that allows me to utilize my creativity. Throughout my life, I have always had a passion for art and have honed my skills through practice and study. In addition to my natural talents, I also graduated from an art school, which improved my technical skills and where I learned new techniques. I am confident in my ability to produce high-quality artwork that meets the needs of clients and satisfies my own creative vision. My combination of innate creativity, technical skills, and dedication to my craft makes me well-suited for a career in a creative field. I am excited to explore opportunities that allow me to express myself through drawing and to contribute my unique perspective to the world of art and design.