Oksana is the youngest of 12 children, and a daughter of Ukrainian refugees. Growing up in Rochester, NY Oksana was immersed into the Ukrainian culture at home but had to follow the American culture outside. Hence she did not feel like she fit into either.
In college being surrounded by multicultural students helped her understand herself better and that it was ok to be a blend. As she got older she embraced the Ukrainian side more than her siblings. In her mid twenties, she had an opportunity to go to Ukraine and spend time working there.
Oksana authored the book "Sunflowers Bend But Rarely Break" The book tells the story of her parents' early life as forced laborers in Nazi Germany during the Holocaust, when Slavs were also considered sub-human.
You can read Oksana's blog https://medium.com/@oksanakukurudza
Purchase her book https://sunflowersrarelybreak.com/
Follow her https://www.instagram.com/okukurudza2/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oksana-kukurudza/
#immigrantstories #ukarine #naziGermany #holocaust #immigrantsquaredpodcast