Olesya's Journey to Becoming a Licensed Hairstylist in the U.S.

At the Literacy Center of West Michigan, we help adults build the literacy and language skills they need to reach their goals. The Learner Spark is one way we celebrate that growth—it's our in-house magazine written by learners, for learners. Each story highlights the goals, challenges, and achievements of our learners in their own words. Read Olesya’s story here:

Let me begin by telling you a bit about myself. 

My name is Olesya, I’m 38 years old, and I’m a proud wife and mother to two wonderful daughters. I’m an immigrant from Ukraine, originally from the city of Irpin — a city that was recently de-occupied but sadly is still not livable. 

We came to the U.S. during a very difficult time — a time of great upheaval and change. And yet, I am truly grateful to be here. 

Back in Ukraine, I had everything: a successful beauty business, a beautiful home, and a loyal clientele. I’ve been a hairstylist for over 20 years, making people feel beautiful and happy — a profession that’s not just a job for me, but a true calling. 

Life, however, had other plans. Everything changed dramatically, and we found ourselves in a new country, with different laws and rules — rules that must be followed if you want to build something real. I knew that in advance and prepared my documents as best I could before arriving. 

My first step was to apply for license recognition based on my previous education. I had graduated from high school and then studied at the Academy of Arts, where I earned my bachelor’s degree. I spent four wonderful years immersed in subjects related to fashion, hair, and style. Those years were filled with creativity, competitions, international festivals, and even a record breaking hairstyle that landed us in Ukrainian history! 

Creating my diploma project was one of the most fulfilling moments in my early career — it took time, imagination, and passion to bring it all to life. 

After submitting my documents in the U.S., they were approved, and I was allowed to take the PSI exams — both theory and practical. 

I passed the practical exam on the first try, but the theory was much more difficult. I passed it on about the tenth attempt! 

By then, the PSI staff even recognized me and greeted me with kind smiles. 

You might wonder — why did the theory test take me so long? 

The truth is, when I first arrived, I faced a huge language barrier. I had to study the theory test for two years. It was incredibly challenging — learning professional terminology and full sentences without having a solid English foundation. 

I began studying English at the Literacy Center two years ago while pregnant with my second daughter. At first, I attended in-person classes, then switched to online lessons, which turned out to be a perfect fit. My wonderful teacher, Kaori, helped me stay motivated and focused. 

For two years, I juggled studying English and preparing for my cosmetology exams. It was incredibly difficult to pursue both goals at the same time — but I did it. And now, I’m proud to say that I received my hairstylist license in the state of Michigan this year! 

This part of my journey may seem complete — but in truth, it’s only the beginning. I’m still learning English, working hard to improve every day. But one of my biggest goals has already been reached. 

Now, I’m on to my next dream — to find my perfect job as a hairstylist and continue bringing beauty and joy to people through my work. 

And let me tell you — there’s nothing more rewarding than achieving your goals. 

New dreams and new stories are already on the horizon — and I’m excited to share them with the world.

Support learners like Olesya. Become a Volunteer Literacy Coach! Help transform a life through literacy, one word at a time! No teaching experience is needed. We provide all the training and support. If you can read and write in English and want to make a difference in your community, now is the perfect time to volunteer as a literacy coach.