Yelyzaveta Kulchytska, The Journalist
Elizabeth Kulchytska, originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, was raised by her mother, a tailor, in humble circumstances. Her family’s roots trace back to a small village, where simple living and strong values shaped her upbringing. From a young age, Elizabeth demonstrated an exceptional talent for writing, crafting stories and essays that stood out in her school’s literature classes. This early passion set her on a path toward a career in journalism.
At 17, Elizabeth mastered the Polish language within six months and enrolled in a journalism and social communication program at a university in Warsaw, Poland. During her first semester, she launched an internet radio show focused on the challenges faced by immigrants, students, and workers in Poland. Her academic journey took her further afield through the Erasmus+ program, allowing her to study law in Italy for six months. Despite her adaptability and fluency in Italian, she chose to return to Poland to complete her degree.
Meanwhile, her father, a U.S. citizen, had initiated the process for her to gain permanent residency in the United States. After her second year of university, Elizabeth completed a summer internship in Iceland, assisting an artist with exhibitions and social media management. This experience, combined with budget-friendly travel, allowed her to explore nearly all European countries and parts of Asia, broadening her worldview and enriching her storytelling perspective.
Elizabeth’s career began in Ukraine after completing her degree. She worked as a journalist for a news agency before being promoted to a producer role at one of the country’s largest media companies, where she managed medical and political TV programming. Despite her professional success, the Russian invasion of Ukraine dramatically altered her life.
At the war’s onset, Elizabeth reported from the front lines, documenting soldiers’ stories and the efforts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Risking her life, she also volunteered with charities to deliver essential supplies to soldiers. After enduring weeks of conflict in Kyiv, she decided to leave for safety.
A friend in Brussels helped Elizabeth secure a role as a correspondent, representing Ukraine in the European Union’s political heart. She covered significant events at NATO, the European Parliament, and other international organizations, interviewing diplomats and leaders, including former U.S. President Joe Biden.
In 2022, Elizabeth joined a Ukrainian-American-Chinese film project documenting the war’s human impact, which was showcased at the Berlinale Film Festival. Although the project ended prematurely, she continued her journalism and began studying French while traveling between Belgium, Ukraine, and other European countries.
Her life took a new turn when she connected online with a Texan. After a year of communication, she moved to the United States as a refugee. The move brought challenges, including limited travel flexibility, but Elizabeth persevered. She briefly worked in Puerto Rico before obtaining her green card, allowing her to pursue greater opportunities.
Elizabeth’s journey took her to California, where she worked as a school manager and explored notable U.S. cities such as New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Austin. Eventually, she relocated to Texas, seeking stability and community with her partner and his family.
Elizabeth is passionate about learning new languages, traveling, and photo editing. Currently, she works as a journalist and interpreter, based in Austin. Her story reflects resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering dedication to capturing the human experience through her work and hobbies.
