In 2007, she was adopted from Russia and moved to Beavercreek. In January she returned to Beavercreek after spending a year in Argentina as an exchange student.
“I live with my adopted mom, Melissa, my blood sister, Rufina, and my other adopted sister, Mei, who is from China. I was adopted at the age of 12, from Siberia. I remember many things, most of them are ugly. . So I was glad to be adopted,” said Vicka
Her experiences in adjusting and adapting to her adoptive country were valuable when she headed to Argentina.
“ I think this experience made me realize what is important in life, my main priorities and definitely it makes me want to travel more,” she said. “Being adopted and (then) going abroad definitely opened my eyes to the world. And that’s only three countries, imagine what it could be like if we knew all the other cultures.”
She admits that her first experience at a new culture, her adoption, was not easy for a 12-year-old, especially when she and her younger sister left four siblings in Russia.
“It was hard to be separated from my other brothers and sisters but at the same time I wanted, or I should say I needed, the change. I had a rough time at first … Lots of teasing and bullying was going on,” she said.
Still, she now considers herself a “well-rounded person, I have friends all over the world.” Her advice to prospective exchange students includes not being afraid of making mistakes. Also, she advises being willing to try new things and “last, but not least, enjoy your time. It flies by really fast.”
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