Finding a home in Yukon: Kateryna’s story

Before starting the process, what was your biggest concern or fear about immigrating to Canada?

I think my biggest fear was the unknown. Leaving your home country and starting your life all over again is a pretty scary thing to do, especially when you don't know how everything is going to turn out. You're leaving behind so much of what you've known your whole life, your friends, your family, your routines, and suddenly you have to figure everything out from scratch. I was worried about finding my place, building a career, making friends, and simply feeling like I belonged here. And of course, there was always that little fear in the back of my mind: what if I build this beautiful life here and then, for some reason, I can't stay?

Was there a point during the application when you thought your PR might not be approved? What happened?

I wouldn't say there was one particular moment when I was convinced it wouldn't happen, but there were definitely times when the uncertainty got to me. Immigration involves so much waiting, and the hardest part is that you can do absolutely everything right and still have very little control over what happens next. I think what made it especially emotional was that, while waiting for my PR, I wasn't just living here temporarily anymore. I had a job I loved, people I cared about, friendships, plans, and a whole life that I was becoming more and more attached to. The thought of potentially losing all of that was scary. And that's probably why finally receiving my PR felt so special. It wasn't just about getting a new status in Canada. It was about knowing that I could keep building the life I'd already fallen in love with.

Now that you've received your PR, what advice would you give someone who is just starting their immigration journey?

My biggest advice would be to not put your life on hold while waiting for your immigration process to be completed. Go out, meet people, make friends, explore, get involved in your community, and enjoy the place you've chosen to call home. Of course, take your paperwork seriously, stay organized, ask questions, and find people you trust to guide you through the process. But don't let immigration become the only thing your life revolves around. There will be stressful days, there will be moments when you question your decisions, and there will be plenty of waiting. But there can also be so much happiness and growth along the way. And one day, hopefully, you'll look around and realize that somewhere between all the paperwork and uncertainty, you've built yourself a beautiful new life.

What do you enjoy most about living in Yukon, and what has made it feel like home for you?

I absolutely love Yukon! I love waking up to the mountains, the endless wilderness, the long summer days, the snowy winters, and how close we are to nature. I love that you can finish your workday and be out on an adventure almost immediately. There's something so special about living in a place where nature is such a big part of everyday life. But what really made Yukon home for me is the people. It's such a small, welcoming community where people genuinely care about each other. I've been incredibly lucky to meet wonderful people here, build friendships, and find a workplace that has given me so many opportunities to grow. When I first moved here, I had no idea how much this place would mean to me. And now I can't imagine my life without Yukon in it. It's funny how you can move somewhere thinking you're just starting a new adventure and end up finding a place that truly feels like home.