My Home is a War Zone | Leaving Russia for Utah with Olya Jakubowski

Bexx and Noie sit down with Noie’s longtime friend Olya to share her life story. Olya talks about her experience with immigrating to the United States, which encompasses themes of survival, resilience, identity, faith, and war. She also opens up about her complicated ties to family and home back in Russia.Her story shares what it was like growing up in a strict Russian military household. At just 16 years old, she made the life-altering decision to leave home, alone, and move to the US on a tennis scholarship. Coming to a small town in Utah gave Olya the biggest culture shock, where she learned about different customs, religions, and stereotypes, among other things. Throughout everything she experienced, there is one thing she has learned: what it means to fight for your life.Rebuilding yourself in a foreign country is no easy feat, especially while your homeland is at war. Olya’s story is a reminder that resilience often grows in the most unexpected soil.Chapters [Start] Meet Olya: Bexx and Noie introduce Olya as she shares her story for the first time.02:14 A Military Childhood: Olya’s childhood experiences that led her to leave home at 16 and move to America.15:19 Culture Shock: Facing the “Mormon vs. moron” misunderstanding to feeling completely isolated.37:40 Green Cards & Stereotypes: The intense legal process of earning a place in the U.S. and the heartbreak of missing her family in Russia.50:32 Finding Joy: Olya shares how she has found joy in her new home and family, even when things feel hard.Links and ResourcesFollow Olya on Instagram:@olya_jakubowskiConnect With & Follow UsInstagramUnpacked and UnfilteredSunnybexxMommaNoieTikTokUnpacked and UnfilteredSunnybexxMommaNoieYoutubeUnpacked and Unfiltered SunnybexxMommaNoie