My home country is Ukraine. I am studying Computer Science.

The best moments of studying at City College of New York as an international student has been my experience as a research assistant and great number of different events.

There were couple times in my academic career that I thought that I would fail. Every time I had a thought like that, I took a minute, assessed a situation and devised a plan how to overcome whatever challenge I had. It is important to keep going forward no matter what.

My goals and a thought of a successful future motivate me.

The book that inspires me is “Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future” by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters. Its main idea is going from nothing to something. The idea of constant growth with innovation in its core.

I believe the skills that are needed to get where I want to go is: strong knowledge of fundamentals of my major, strong analytical thinking, and perseverance.

The U.S. is a technology hub of the world. The latest innovations are developed here. I wanted to be in the center of all of it.

We all face obstacles here and it is important to remember that they are not here forever. Never give up, look for a solution to a problem instead of being upset about it. Socialize with your peers, it will make an adaptation process much easier and help improve your English.

My family is my greatest inspiration. They believe in me and support me every step of the way. Seeing how hard they worked and keep working to achieve their goals makes me want to move forward as well.

“Do what you can, with all you have, wherever you are” – Roosevelt

Please include any of your personal recommendations for fun and interesting things to do in or around the city (favorite restaurants, coffee shops, parks, museums, galleries, etc.)

I love the multicultural aspect of New York. I can go to a neighborhood and experience the culture of people who live there. My favorite neighborhood is Brooklyn Heights and everything around it. Places like Brooklyn Bridge Park and small authentic brunch places and coffee shops around the area.

My best study tip is to come up with a detailed study plan. Try to study and prepare in advance.

It is hard to choose just one person. I would like to mention the staff of the International Student Office. The staff is incredible. Every single question that I have is always answered and if I have any issues everyone is always there to help me. The staff is extremely professional and very knowledgeable about the issues that international students may encounter.

I will continue to grow as a professional. Hopefully, one day I will be able to make a meaningful contribution to a field of computer science and community using technology.