Posted: May 26, 2023
By:Allison Barss
Dont give up. It sounds simple, but its a tough lesson that Ukrainian native and Halifax-based lawyer,Igor Yushchenko (LLM12), has learned throughout lifes hardships and continues to apply to what lies ahead. Obstacles will happen, but when you overcome them, you learn a valuable lesson, he says. Coming to Canada has taught me this.
Growing up in Ukraine, and following in the footsteps of his hard-working, successful parents both accountants Yushchenko dreamed of a career in law. I wanted to be a crown prosecutor to put bad guys in jail and make the world a safer place, shares theAurum Award泭娶梗釵勳梯勳梗紳喧.
After earning his bachelors and masters degrees in law in Ukraine, he landed a crown attorney placement in Kyiv, but quickly learned it wasnt a right fit. I saw a lot of police brutality in that role, and realized Id rather protect people from that.
New beginnings
Looking to further his education in law and explore a new country, Yushchenko arrived in Canada in September of 2011 to study at Dalhousie, where he eventually earned hisMaster of Laws degreein 2012.
It was an eye-opening time, he shares. Compared to my studies in Ukraine where if a professor tells you to do something, you do it and you dont ask questions I chose subjects and professors I enjoyed at Dal, and actually talked to those professors. It created a sense of trust and openness. That was life changing.
With a plan to return to Ukraine after earning his Dal degree, Yushchenko says he experienced second thoughts. Thats when someone told me I couldnt practice law here in Canada; that Ill face challenges getting my license. Something inside of me said to prove them wrong.
Yushchenko made the decision to settle in Halifax, earning his license to practice law, creating specializing in real estate, corporate law, personal injury, civil litigation and immigration and marrying and starting a family with his Dalhousie sweetheart (which he says is his greatest accomplishment).
That was the hardest thing, he says. Denying that its impossible, accepting that it wont be easy, and facing the challenges that may lie ahead. But, still striving for the life you know you deserve.
A harsh reality
Over ten years after settling in Halifax, the news of Russias invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022 shook Yushchenkos world.
His family was in Kyiv when things started. I wanted to get them out as fast as possible, he says. It took three or four days for them to cross the border, and no sleep. But they are now here in Nova Scotia. They are safe.
But Yushchenko felt he needed to do more. Im a lawyer, I know about immigration, so I knew I needed to use my experience my knowledge to help others.
He quickly joined forces with Halifax-based lawyer, Jason Woycheshyn, and worked with the Nova Scotia and Canadian governments to create new programs to help expedite Ukrainian immigration. For the first three or four months, the phone didnt stop ringing, shares Yushchenko. And even once those families left Ukraine, many kept calling to talk to us, asking for recommendations on where to settle, what jobs to look for.
Over a year after the start of the war in Ukraine, Yushchenko like many of us says he hopes things will be over soon. There will be a massive amount of work needed to help rebuild that country, he says. Lawyers will be needed, and I want to be a part of that team. I am ready.
Yushchenko adds that its his drive to help others that keeps him going. I feel like I can provide the motivation that [prospective immigrants] may be missing, he says. I want others to see me as an example to see that as an immigrant, you can still achieve anything in this life. Living your ideal life is not a club for only blessed and chosen people. Its a message I share with my children, too.
Everyone has the right to shape their future, so dont give up. Knock on every single door. Eventually, one will open.
