A Ukrainian influencer who helps others overcome challenges

An Instagram influencer who came to Winnipeg with her family as a refugee from Ukraine is sharing her experiences adjusting to a new country, hoping her story will help support others.

Tetiana Kucherenko came to Canada in October 2022 with her husband Dmitriy and their young child, who is now in kindergarten. They live south of Winnipeg.

With Dmitri acting as a translator, Tetiana told CityNews that the first six months after arriving in Winnipeg were the hardest because the family had no outside support. Tetiana, who is still learning English, says she is not fit to live in Canada.

“When he came here, it was very difficult,” Dmitry said to his wife. “He is ready to live in Ukraine. He (misses it) because we've been there all our lives. It was really difficult to get the offer and come here. He (wants to return to Ukraine) because he does not feel at home.

“He feels alone. He started using Instagram to introduce himself and try to talk to other people and found others in Canada with the same soul. We have a lot of people in Ukraine and he will miss it. And we are alone here.”

Before the war in Ukraine, Tetiana, who has a master's degree in logistics and psychology, was on the verge of going into psychology. Instead, he found himself depressed and deprived of the only life he had ever known.

“He wants to become a doctor in Ukraine and help people with mental health problems and solve some problems,” Dmitry said. “But we have a war and we have to move somewhere.

“I can speak English, it doesn't matter to me, but I understand that it will be lonely. He can't speak English very well at first and we need to find some work and it was very difficult to find a good job because he doesn't speak English. Without English, we can't go to a normal job with a normal pay.”

The first six months were difficult for the Kucherenkos, as their family was in Ukraine and they were receiving news of deaths and the destruction of their homes. They received support from their neighbors in Winnipeg, who helped them settle in Canada.

Tetiana then decided to share her experience on social media, to show other refugees and newcomers to Canada that they are not alone in their struggle.

WATCH: Dmitry and Tetyana Kucherenko give advice to newcomers to Canada

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Inside post Last month, Tetiana told her more than 1,000 followers her best tips for psychologically adapting to a new country. These include setting realistic expectations, learning the language, asking questions, being patient, seeking support, and seeking help from professionals.

“He also wants to expand and improve his skills and support people who need it, because we know that a lot of people need mental health because … it's very difficult and very difficult to be alone here,” Dmitry said. “He tried to do that and let people know that they're not alone. They can text, call, talk, and we will help them.”

In Ukraine, Dmitry worked mainly in the merchant fleet. He also worked in construction and delivery before taking a job as a fiber technician for a telecommunications company.

But he always dreamed of becoming a photographer. After getting help from her brother to buy a professional camera, he began helping Tetiana with social media as she tried to build her portfolio and break into the Canadian industry.

“In English Garden, we go to St. Vital Park, we go to Assiniboine Park,” said Dmitry, who felt the skills he learned as a photographer in Ukraine did not translate well to Canada. “We also do some filming in Kildonan Park, but it's a long way away. There are beautiful things 10 minutes from our place. All I can say is that Winnipeg is beautiful.”

Dmitri bought Tetiana a new camera and a stand, and she started filming herself, but they often work together.

“My wife said to me, 'Okay, you can watch this. Let's face it, this light is nothing. “Give me this, come here, do it from here.”

According to the couple, Canada is a safe space where people can still preserve their Ukrainian culture as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

“All newcomers here feel the same,” Dmitri said, translating for Tetiana. “To that end, he started using Instagram to show that it's not a bad thing (in Canada). You can do everything you do at home, but you can do better because you come here and this country gives you many opportunities, but you have to work hard for it. Then you get everything.''