Kseniya Sovenko

Ukrainian-born Kseniya Sovenko is a student at the University of Washington, majoring in Journalism and Sociology. When she's not writing, she spends her time ballroom dancing, modeling, and attempting to figure out the social science of Instagram. In addition to instructing dance, Kseniya works as the Project Manager at Seneca & Spruce, a local e-commerce start-up for emerging fashion designers.
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A taste of Ramadan: the experience of fasting as a non-Muslim

by Kseniya Sovenko
A journalist experiences fasting during Ramadan for the first time, and breaks the fast with other people at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound.
Jul 15, 2015
Ukrainians, Russians, and Americans standing together for "Seattle in memory of Boris Nemtsov and support of Nadejda Savchenko," a rally organized by Seattle-based Russian-Americans and UAWS. (Courtesy photo)

Ukrainian association pivots from promoting culture to protecting lives

by Kseniya Sovenko
The Ukrainian Association of Washington State has gone from promoting folk dancing to providing humanitarian relief for the war in Eastern Ukraine.
Mar 20, 2015
A building damaged in fighting in Kurakhove, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. (Photo by VO Svodboda via Picasa)

What the heck is happening in Ukraine (and why you should care)

by Kseniya Sovenko
A filmmaker from Ukraine visited Seattle last week and shared some shocking footage from a conflict that has turned into all out war.
Feb 17, 2015
1990 RomCom "Green Card" depicted a French-American couple whose sham immigration marriage turned to true love.

Green card marriages blur lines between love and convenience

by Kseniya Sovenko
A green card marriage is one of the easiest ways to immigrate to the U.S. — but you'll have to convince the government your love is true.
Jan 6, 2015

Immigrant dancers fighting for U.S. work visas

by Kseniya Sovenko
Ballroom dancers come through customs hoping to propel their careers by training with some of the world’s top coaches. But they're often gone again within six months, unable to secure an O-1B work visa.
Dec 19, 2014
(Photo by Kseniya Sovenko)

Ukrainian transplants find unity in crisis

by Kseniya Sovenko
In the face of Russian aggression, local Ukrainians are embracing their heritage.
Oct 30, 2014