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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 the Aurum Award�����𳦾��辱��Գ�.

After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law in Ukraine, he landed a crown attorney placement in Kyiv, but quickly learned it wasn’t a right fit. “I saw a lot of police brutality in that role, and realized I’d 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 ��Ů����, where he eventually earned his Master of Laws degree in 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 don’t 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. “That’s when someone told me I couldn’t practice law here in Canada; that I’ll 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 ��Ů���� sweetheart (which he says is his greatest accomplishment).

“That was the hardest thing,” he says. “Denying that it’s impossible, accepting that it won’t be easy, and facing the challenges that may lie ahead. But, still striving for the life you know you deserve.”