In 1998, my mom finally made it into the United States, something she had been dreaming about for years. Winning the green card lottery was like a miracle but it was not an easy process. 

"We had to gather so many documents, pass a medical exam, and make sure everything was done before the deadline" - Marina Gilman

When she arrived in Providence, Rhode Island, she was very nervous but determined. She did not know much English and everything felt unfamiliar to her. 

"It was like being a child... I did not even know how to go to a bank" - Marina Gilman

Despite the language barrier and cultural differences, she adapted quickly. Marina lived in a community with very few Russian speakers which forced her to learn English fast. She enrolled at Rhode Island College and graduated in 2004. After college, she worked at the local newspapers, which was a huge accomplishment for someone who had just learned the language. 

"I was so proud working for the newspaper. I just learned English! I did not know some of the complex words people were talking about but I studied to learn them" - Marina Gilman

Moving to Massachusetts was the next step for Marina. It was the start of a whole new chapter. By 2006, she was starting a family and building a new life. In November of 2006, she had her firstborn Ben. 

"I'm so happy my kids have the opportunities I never dreamed of growing up" - Marina Gilman

Marina's journey was not just about leaving Ukraine or Israel. It was about building a family in the United States so that her children could have a better life than her.