When Yuliia came to Calgary from Ukraine in 2023, she came alone at first, leaving behind her husband and two daughters. She was starting over in a country where she knew very little English and had no idea what the future would hold.
The war had changed everything for her family. Her daughters were afraid. They could hear rockets at night, while air-raid alarms sounded again and again. Yuliia wanted something different for her children—a safe place where they could grow, learn and have opportunities for their future.
She chose Calgary after watching videos of Alberta and seeing its beautiful lakes, forests and mountains. She was also drawn to Canada's safety, healthcare and opportunities for families.
But arriving was only the beginning.
Yuliia had to learn English, understand Canadian laws and systems, navigate schools and healthcare, and build a life from scratch. Her children initially needed a translator at school, and even establishing a credit history was something completely new.
For her first two months in Calgary, Yuliia lived with a local host family. They welcomed her into their home and helped her navigate banking, healthcare and everyday life. Yuliia was so grateful for their kindness that she cooked for them as a way of saying thank you.
Those early experiences showed her something important about Calgary: people were willing to help her build a new life.
Yuliia's first job in Canada was in housekeeping, and she quickly discovered how much she loved hospitality. Today, she continues to work in housekeeping at Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary South, where she takes pride in creating clean, comfortable and welcoming spaces for every guest.
She loves working with people and making sure everything is just right. She understands that hospitality is often found in the details—the feeling a guest gets when they walk into a room that has been thoughtfully prepared for them.
Yuliia's contribution goes beyond the rooms she prepares. Every day, she is part of a team that welcomes visitors to Calgary from across Canada and around the world. Her dedication, attention to detail and strong work ethic help create the guest experience that Alberta's tourism and hospitality industry depends on.
Her journey also reflects the valuable contribution newcomers make to Alberta. Yuliia brought determination and a willingness to learn, and she has turned those qualities into meaningful work, relationships and a future in her new community.
And her greatest motivation remains her family. Her daughters are happy here, and her daughter dreams of going to university. Yuliia sees opportunities for her children that she believes would have been much harder to find back home.
Today, she describes Calgary as her second home. She hopes that one day her family will receive permanent residency and continue building their future here.
Yuliia came to Calgary looking for safety and opportunity for her family. Instead of simply finding a new home, she has become part of the community that makes Alberta welcoming to others.
She came here looking for a future for her family—and today, she is helping create a welcoming future for Alberta's visitors, one guest and one room at a time.