Moving back home after college is a reality for many graduates. Jobs and established community can provide strong, familiar connection points for young adults as they settle in to a new season of life. However, whether seeking adventure in a fresh location or dealing with tenuous life circumstances that have eliminated the option of returning home, many young alumni move to totally new locations as they start their post-graduate careers. For Mary Balashova ’25, a mix of opportunity and necessity kept her from moving back to Ukraine this spring.
When Mary moved from Ukraine to the United States in 2018, she left a thriving country and a familiar way of life. As a teenager, she was given the opportunity to live with an American host family and attend high school in Missouri. Although she maintained a relationship with her birth mother — who first inspired her interest in faith — Mary grew up without the traditional structure of a nuclear family. Still, she built strong, supportive relationships in her community and was encouraged from a young age to explore her growing trust in God.
Eager to experience a different culture and way of life, Mary embraced the chance to study abroad. She spent two impactful years with her host family, and by the end of high school, she made the decision to continue her education in the United States at the university level. She completed two years at a regional institution, where she studied communication and discovered a strong passion for technology. Inspired by the fast-paced, problem-solving nature of the field, Mary decided to shift her academic focus to computer science. But, her college ultimately had financial issues and Mary’s host family helped her search for another Midwestern college where she could transfer — specifically a university that was founded on Christian ideals. With very little effort, they found Olivet Nazarene University.
“I visited Olivet before applying,” she recalls. “I really liked the professors and my advisors. I also had the opportunity to join the track and field team and get involved in athletics. It just seemed like a good fit.” 
Along the way, Mary formed strong relationships with faculty, especially her academic advisor, professor Jeffrey Rice.
“Professor Rice was more than just an advisor — he was a mentor who genuinely cared about me as a person,” she shares. “He always made time for questions, supported my goals and encouraged me through difficult times. His guidance gave me so much confidence, especially as a woman in STEM.”
At Olivet, Mary fully immersed herself in campus life. She balanced a demanding schedule — training and competing in mid-distance track events, excelling in her computer science coursework, and working close to full-time under her temporary protected status visa through local jobs in hospitality and food service. Life was full and fast-paced, but manageable — until midway through her junior year, when everything was suddenly thrown into question.
“I received an email from Student Financial Services saying I had a $24,000 balance on my student account,” she recalls. “I was in panic mode. I didn’t know how I’d pay it, and I thought I might have to drop out or transfer. It was one of the scariest moments of my college experience.”
Fortunately, Mary was not alone at Olivet. Through a supportive relationship with Darlene Swanson, the director of international student services at the time, Mary’s unique situation was shared with campus leaders. In less than a week, she received a call from the development office. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. A former staff member advocated for Mary’s situation, and within days, she received a phone call that changed everything: an anonymous donor had come forward to pay off her entire balance.
“I was in shock and crying, as I was on the phone with my mom,” she says. “It was overwhelming to realize that someone who didn’t even know me believed in me enough to give that kind of gift. It was a moment I’ll never forget. It felt like God was reminding me that I wasn’t alone.”
With her financial burden lifted, Mary was able to focus completely on her studies, track and work. She earned multiple spots on the dean’s list, maintained her strong GPA, and continued to perform well in her mid-distance track events, all while balancing an intense work schedule. By the time graduation approached, Mary had become a well-integrated and active member of the Olivet community.
Although her biological family was unable to attend the May 3 Commencement Ceremony, a longtime mentor from Ukraine happened to be visiting the U.S. and was able to join her on campus to celebrate her college accomplishments. 
Since graduation, Mary has relocated to Chicago to begin her career as an Information Technology (IT) Specialist at a growing tech company. In her role, she supports a wide range of internal systems, manages software implementation and optimizes IT workflows. The position enables her to put into practice the technical and problem-solving skills she developed during her studies, while continuing to grow professionally in a fast-paced environment.
“I definitely think the [computer science] field is challenging and fast-growing right now,” she says. “Everything is technology. I was originally looking for something in my field that was more focused on coding and the creative side of tech. But this will be good to get some experience. I can still do coding projects on my own and level up my education and learning.”
Mary’s STEM degree grants her the ability to remain in the U.S. for up to three years under her current visa, and in the future, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree and transition into a more coding-focused or development-driven role. For now, she is taking advantage of the opportunities of city life and gaining meaningful experience at the start of her career.
Starting a new season of life in an unfamiliar place can be very intimidating, even more so if there are language barriers or cultural obstacles to decode. But from her vast experiences, Mary maintains that with a strong faith, courage and an openness to meeting new people, there is much to be gained from embracing the adventure.
“I’m so grateful for where I am,” she says. “I may not have everything figured out, but I know I’m exactly where I need to be. And I can keep growing from here.”
Mary’s journey has not been easy, but through every chapter, she’s leaned on her faith — and seen God provide in powerful ways.
“God has been so good to me,” she reflects. “From college to my first job to getting approved for an apartment in Chicago — it’s all been a part of His plan. That anonymous donor was an answer to prayer, and I want to live a life that honors that gift.”
As she moves forward, Mary continues to strive for excellence in everything she does — anchored by gratitude, fueled by faith and committed to giving back.
For more information about the transfer admissions process, visit Olivet.edu/transfer.
