Ukrainian refugee and English professor rebuilds her teaching career in the U.S.
When the war in Ukraine erupted in February 2022, Hanna Dudnik was faced with an unimaginable choice — remain in her Russian-occupied homeland or seek safety and opportunity for her family elsewhere. As the conflict intensified, daily life became a struggle for survival.
“My city was occupied within three days of the beginning of the war,” she says. “They isolated the city from Ukrainian transportation, food supplies, and so we were running out of food. No meat, no eggs, no cereal — I was so scared.”
For a month and a half, Hanna and her two young sons stayed in their occupied city before making a difficult call: They had to flee the country.
Escaping to a new beginning
With no concrete plan other than the hope of a safer future, Hanna accepted a friend’s invitation to come to the United States. By May, she and her two sons arrived in Southern California under the Uniting for Ukraine program.
“I was one of the first Ukrainians who ever came to the U.S. through the program,” she recalls. “The day I arrived, I applied for my work authorization, but the processing time is six to nine months. So technically, I had no right to work, and I used this opportunity to get ready for my new career.”
Although Hanna had escaped the immediate dangers of war, she now faced a new battle of rebuilding her life from the ground up in an unfamiliar country.
Reclaiming her career in the U.S.
Hanna arrived in the U.S. with over two decades of experience as an English professor at a Ukrainian university. Although her credentials wouldn’t seamlessly translate into the U.S. job market, Hanna was unwilling to abandon her career — she was determined to regain her professional footing.
“Some people recommended that I go back to college and get another bachelor’s degree because foreign diplomas mean nothing,” she remembers — it felt like doors were closing all around her. “I didn’t want to start from scratch.”
But a friend soon introduced her to Upwardly Global, an organization dedicated to helping immigrant and refugee professionals restart their careers in the U.S., and that introduction changed everything.
Finding a path forward
Her Upwardly Global career coach, Sue, became a crucial resource, guiding her through resume writing, networking strategies, and interview preparation. But the most impactful support came when Sue suggested that she apply for a scholarship to earn a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate from the University of California, Irvine.
“When I arrived, I had no money, and I couldn’t afford a professional certificate,” she explains. “But working with Upwardly Global, I suddenly had the chance to earn the certification I needed.”
While completing her TESOL certification, Hanna mentioned the course on her resume and secured her first role in the U.S. — a position as a Project Specialist at a local community college.
“Sue did a great job inspiring me,” says Hanna. “Every time I had a job interview, Sue had mock interviews with me, sending lots of useful articles on how to present myself.”
Five months later, her persistence paid off when she was offered a faculty position teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) at the same community college.
A brighter future as an educator
Today, Hanna is thriving. She teaches at two community colleges, balancing multiple roles to maximize her professional growth. With each passing day, she gains confidence and stability while providing for her children and continuing the career she loves.
“I know that I arrived in the U.S. as a refugee, but I wanted to grow my career,” she says. “Upwardly Global really opened the door for me. I really don’t know where I would be now without their support.”