The Greenwich.HR team is excited to celebrate with one of our own on her journey to U.S. citizenship. Daniela, Product Director of WageScape, shares a little about the process of becoming an American.
Born in Romania, Daniela first moved to Austria to earn her undergraduate degree. However, it was her sister’s journey to the United States that truly set Daniela on her own path. About two years into Daniela’s undergrad, her sister moved to Boston to earn her master’s degree. Once Daniela’s sister completed that degree, enrolled into a Ph.D. program and got married, it became clear she wouldn’t be returning to Romania.
As Daniela explored her options for pursuing an MBA program, her initial inclination was to go somewhere in Singapore or another part of Asia. Nonetheless, Daniela’s sister pushed her to also consider and apply for programs in the United States. As fate would have it, Daniela was granted admission into Boston University, where her sister was already pursuing her Ph.D. As she embarked on this new chapter in Boston, she remained open-minded about her long-term plans and was eager to explore different locations and opportunities, unsure if she would make America her permanent home like her sister.
The reason she ultimately stayed? Love.
Once Daniela and her husband began dating, she realized that her heart had found a home away from home. She began searching for job opportunities, got married and solidified her decision to remain in America permanently. Although the journey to citizenship was lengthy, her marriage to an American citizen eased the process a bit.
For Daniela, gaining United States citizenship means more than just legal recognition. Reflecting on the journey, she shares, “Though I had already assimilated into the culture, gaining my American citizenship allows me to identify with the place I now call home.” It also relieved any concerns of putting down roots, “It can be tough to make major life decisions like buying a house, getting a job, and getting married, all the while having an expiration date on your right to stay.”
While most of Daniela’s family remains in Romania, her journey has inspired a few others to follow in her footsteps. Her mother joined her and her sister in the United States after retiring, and her step-brother hopes to pursue his studies in America after graduating high school. Daniela believes that even her father, though still deeply connected to Romanian pride, will eventually join them as well.
The embracing and accepting nature of American culture, built on the contributions of immigrants and a celebration of diversity, made her feel more at ease. For Daniela, the United States became a place where she could be a part of a vibrant and inclusive community.
“It feels good to be a part of it, ” she shares.
As for the Greenwich.HR team, we are thrilled to have Daniela leading the product management group. She brings invaluable experience and skill to the organization and works every day to improve WageScape for our users.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this amazing milestone with Daniela and her family and we are lucky to have her as part of our growing, dynamic team,” said Cary Sparrow, CEO of Greenwich.HR.
Recent Comments