Occupation: Student

Country of Birth: Italy

Current: Lincolnshire, IL

“Seeing America for the first time felt like a dream.”

Matviy was born in Rome, Italy, on May 8, 2008, during a time when his parents had moved there in search of better job opportunities. When he was two, his family returned to Ukraine, settling in Ternopil. He spent much of his childhood between the city and his family’s small village, Mshanets. Weekends were dedicated to helping his grandpa with household tasks, tending to their fields, and enjoying time outdoors.

Matviy cherished the simplicity of village life—riding bikes through the mountains with his younger brother, playing games like Хованки (hide and seek) and Доганялки (tag), and celebrating holidays surrounded by family. In Ternopil, he attended a small school close to home, where he once looked up to high schoolers, only to later realize their days were filled with studying and little free time.

Everything changed in ninth grade when the war happened in Ukraine. Within days, his mother packed their belongings, and the family moved to the village for safety. After twelve days, they fled to Poland, where they stayed for nine months. Though Poland provided safety, Matviy struggled with stress and homesickness. Eventually, his family applied for the Uniting for Ukraine program and was approved to reunite with relatives in the US.

The transition to America was overwhelming. After arriving in Chicago, Matviy faced language barriers and cultural differences. School was particularly challenging, but he gradually adjusted. Now, two years later, he attends Stevenson High School, where he has made friends and explored Chicago’s famous places. Looking ahead, he hopes to support newcomers facing similar challenges and create a stable future for himself and his family, who sacrificed so much to give him new opportunities.