Katarina has built a life marked by remarkable achievements in America, but the journey has not been without sacrifice. Like many immigrants, she has experienced seasons of uncertainty, shed tears through moments of loneliness, navigated financial hardship, and wrestled with unfamiliar systems—from education and immigration to housing and even learning her way around a new city.
Along the way, there were times she simply couldn't do it alone. She asked for help—and again and again, people were willing to help.
Her advice is simple but powerful: ask.
As immigrants, we can sometimes allow pride, fear, or even shame to keep us from reaching out. Yet no one succeeds in a foreign country entirely on their own. Every journey is strengthened by the kindness, generosity, and encouragement of others.
Transcript: A Conversation with Katarina Spackova
Accentuate! Podcast
Host: Rhonda Gardner
Guest: Katarina Spackova
This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Filler, repeated words, and brief acknowledgments have been removed while preserving the conversation’s meaning. References to immigration processes, studies, family circumstances, and future plans reflect the time of the interview. Bracketed notes identify unclear wording or provide an editorial clarification.
Introducing Katarina
Rhonda: Hello, everyone. This is the Accentuate! Podcast, amplifying the voices of immigrants and refugees for success in the workplace. I’m Rhonda Gardner, the host and an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago living in the US. Today, my guest is Katarina Spackova.
Katarina is also an immigrant. We attended the same church in New York City a couple of years before I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and we recently reconnected on LinkedIn. Katarina, welcome, and thank you for taking the time to chat with me.
Katarina: Hi. Thank you for having me.
Rhonda: Tell me, where are you originally from?
Katarina: I am from Slovakia. Slovakia is a very small country in Eastern Europe. Its neighboring countries are the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Ukraine.
Family and the war in Ukraine
Rhonda: How has the war in Ukraine impacted you? Has it impacted you in any way?
Katarina: Since I live here, it did not impact me personally, but I still have my family in Slovakia. Of course, there are certain worries right now, especially with the nuclear threats and all this stuff.
My country has been accepting and helping refugees. We have many in my town. The government has hotels and accommodations that accept and accommodate these people. They are trying to find jobs, working with Slovaks, and trying to learn the language. From what I’ve heard from my family, it has impacted them.
Rhonda: More directly, of course. Your country was formerly part of the Soviet Union, is that correct? Do you remember that? I think you may have been a child when they broke up, correct?
[Editor’s note: Slovakia was part of Czechoslovakia, not the Soviet Union. Czechoslovakia was within the Soviet sphere of influence during the communist period. Slovakia became an independent country in 1993.]
Katarina: I don’t remember any of this.
The castles mountains and food of Slovakia
Rhonda: If someone were to visit your country, where would you tell them they need to visit? What is a scenic place or somewhere most people like to go?
Katarina: We have a lot of beautiful places. Some of the most significant places people visit are the castles. We have a lot of castles in Slovakia, and obviously, it’s a huge piece of history in Europe. We have people coming from different European countries to visit these castles.
We also have some of the best ski resorts in the High Tatras. A lot of people come to ski during the winter. It’s a very busy season in Slovakia. We have beautiful mountains. I would definitely recommend seeing the castles, hiking, or possibly skiing in the High Tatras in winter.
Rhonda: What is a popular food in your country that most people like to eat?
Katarina: Slovak food is really heavy. It’s a lot of wheat and potatoes. Our most famous or national food is bryndzové halušky, which is like gnocchi with a sheep’s cheese sauce. Some people put roasted bacon on it, and some don’t. This is a significant dish that, if you were inviting somebody from another country, you would offer.
Rhonda: Do you make it at home?
Katarina: I don’t, because here in the United States, it’s so hard to get this cheese. We call it bryndza. Even though there is sheep’s cheese here, it’s not the same cheese. It’s very hard to find it, so I don’t really make it.
Reflections on life in Slovakia
Rhonda: How would you describe the culture of your country to someone?
Katarina: I think a lot of people in my country are unhappy. My country has a lot of problems in terms of economic progression and politics. We have a lot of corruption. I think we are one of the countries in Europe with the lowest average salaries and lowest minimum wage.
A lot will depend on what kind of background you have. But some of my friends from Slovakia who live here go to Slovakia for the summer and spend two months there. They say, “We couldn’t wait to go back,” because here, everybody is so positive and happy. You definitely see more positivity than in my country.
Rhonda: Interesting. I guess that’s because of all the economic challenges?
Katarina: Yes, a lot of economic problems, for sure.
Rhonda: Is there any fear that it’s one of the countries Russia would target?
Katarina: We are part of the European Union, and we are also very close. We are a neighboring country to Ukraine. At the beginning of the war, there was a lot of fear. I was discussing with my mom and brother whether the whole family should come here and stay for a couple of months. This still is a possibility. If anything happens, it’s good for them to have me here and have the option to come here.
Staying connected to family
Rhonda: How has family impacted your own journey? You’re obviously still very much in contact with them and care about them.
Katarina: I’m not sure if you remember that I had immigration problems. Through my first husband, I did not get my green card, and I was without a green card for many years. Now I’ve applied through my second husband. Because we got married during COVID, we are still waiting.
It’s been over a year, for sure. We are still waiting for the interview. Because of these backlogs, I’m hoping I will finally be able to go home next year. But I see my mom all the time because she has been visiting every year. I’m excited to go back.
Coming to the US as an au pair
Rhonda: Where do you live now, and how long have you been in the States?
Katarina: We live in Union City, which is very close to Manhattan, about 15 or 20 minutes by taking the PATH or a bus.
I came here as an au pair in 2010. I came to Yonkers and lived there for about two years. Then I moved to Pennsylvania and then New Jersey. I’ve been in New Jersey for the past seven years.
Rhonda: What was that experience like, being an au pair? You hear about it, and there are shows about au pairs on television, these nice romantic comedies. But what is it really like?
Katarina: For me, it was a great experience. A lot depends on what kind of family you have. My host mom was from the Czech Republic, and my host dad was from Tanzania, in Africa.
I have a very good relationship with them. They treated me very nicely. They helped me and paid for my school. They got me started on education and paid for my English as a Second Language classes. They were really nice, and for me, it was definitely a great experience.
Rhonda: Would you recommend that as a path for someone thinking about moving somewhere?
Katarina: Yes. When I see somebody younger, because there is an age limit with the au pair agency, you have to be younger than 26. If somebody asks on Facebook, “I want to go to the US, and I’m looking for ways,” this is one way I suggest coming here because it definitely opens doors.
Navigating the immigration process
Rhonda: You’ve touched on why you decided to immigrate and what that process was like. The immigration process is not a smooth one, and when there’s something like a pandemic, it becomes more challenging. You came in as an au pair. What type of visa was that?
Katarina: I came here as an au pair on a J-1 visa. After about a year and two months, I knew I wanted to stay here. I was attending a language school in Manhattan, and I knew from my friends that they sponsored F-1 visas.
At the time, in 2011, I could change from J-1 to F-1 without leaving the country. I hired a lawyer who was helping me, and the school did the sponsoring.
At that time, you also had to prove that you had a certain amount of money, which I didn’t have. I had a friend who sponsored me and helped me demonstrate that financial support. I think at that time it was $18,000 per year to be approved for the F-1 visa. Everything was smooth, and I was approved.
Rhonda: Right now, do you have your employment authorization card while you wait for your green card?
Katarina: We applied for all of these because we could apply through my husband concurrently. Again, I’m still waiting. We got married over a year and a half ago, applied right away, and we’re still waiting for the decision.
Keeping her culture and making a new home
Rhonda: Tell me some of the ways you’ve tried to acclimatize to US culture and hold on to the culture where you originally came from.
Katarina: I’m trying to hold on to my culture from Slovakia. My daughter attends Slovak classes at the Slovak school in Linden. There is a big community. We have a church I’ve been attending. There are a lot of Slovak people. We cook Slovak dishes, bake, and have Slovak parties. I’m definitely part of the Slovak community.
I’m also trying to teach my daughter the language and traditions.
It’s not that I feel American, but I feel like I belong here as well. I can’t imagine moving back to my country now. I feel more like I belong here than in my country or anywhere else.
Rhonda: I know how that feels. Something happens the longer you stay in a different country, especially if you like it. You feel, “This is now home for me,” although you still love where you were born.
Are there any funny stories about things people ask you about your background or what it’s like to live in Slovakia?
Katarina: Of course. When I tell people I’m from Slovakia, a lot of people think it’s part of Russia. They ask me, and I’m like, “No, it’s not.” I had one guy ask if we have cars in my country.
Rhonda: People have asked me the same thing!
Katarina: Or if we have microwaves. It’s like, “Come on!”
Rhonda: Some strange questions sometimes. What has been the highest point in your journey as an immigrant to the US?
From learning English to academic achievement
Katarina: Considering that I came to this country 11 years ago and did not speak English, my highest point is definitely my education.
My host mom was from the Czech Republic, and she wanted somebody to come and speak our language to the child. There was no need for me to speak English.
I got so into it that I started taking English as a Second Language classes. I bought a lot of books, and I’m always studying, even now.
I think the biggest accomplishment was getting into a master’s degree program. I’ve been on the Dean’s List many times. I graduated with honors for my bachelor’s, and now I’m hoping for the same with my master’s. I’ve received scholarships: a $10,000 scholarship from Rutgers this year and a $10,000 scholarship last year.
Those are really big accomplishments for me because I came here not speaking English much at all. I’m from a small town. My parents could not support me financially, so I’ve always supported myself throughout my studies, with my daughter and everything.
Asking for help
Rhonda: What would you say to moms who may be immigrants or single moms? At one point, you were a single mom, taking care of Savannah on your own. What would you tell them about going through that?
Katarina: Looking back now, at the time I didn’t realize it, but it is possible. I’m not going to pretend it was easy. There were many nights I cried and struggled. I also had to ask for help.
I had my mom helping me, and many times I had to ask friends for help. Sometimes people feel bad asking for help. What I would say is, don’t feel bad.
I found so many people here. I was working as a nanny, taking care of children, and the families helped me get to where I am today. Sometimes all it took was asking, “Hey, guys, I’m struggling with money,” or, “I’m struggling with this.”
I had so many people helping me. They opened their arms and helped me with anything I needed, even financially. I had a family pay my deposit when I was moving, $5,000. You will find help if you ask for it here.
Rhonda: I agree. One of the things I had to learn quickly was that you’re not going to make it if you don’t ask for help. That’s important.
Studying economics and exploring finance
Rhonda: Let me go back to what you’re studying. I know you’re in school right now. Tell me what you did for your bachelor’s, what you’re doing now, and where you hope to be after graduation.
Katarina: For my bachelor’s, I did economics with a minor in data science. For my master’s, I’m also majoring in economics. My goal is to start working in finance, possibly as a financial analyst.
I’m also planning to apply for a PhD program. I’ve been taking a GRE course, so I have to take the GRE and apply for a PhD program by next year. Right now, my goal is to graduate and possibly find an internship or a job in finance.
Making unfamiliar processes easier to navigate
Rhonda: If you had the resources and time to improve the experience of an immigrant, what would you target? Where do you think there needs to be improvement or consideration?
Katarina: From my perspective, in the jobs I’ve done so far and the internship I have now, half of us are immigrants, so I’ve always felt welcome.
One thing I feel should improve is school, in college. Not that Rutgers is a bad school, but I think there should be more resources and help for immigrants.
For example, I didn’t know certain processes, how transferring credits works here, or that you have to apply for this or that. I’ve encountered so many problems nobody told me about. Even though we have advisors, these were things told to me at the last minute.
I was shocked: “I should have done this instead of that.” There was nobody to help me. I think the educational system should be a little more accommodating to immigrants who don’t know how the school process works here. The work process as well.
At work, you always go through some training, so things are explained a little more. But when I started college here, and even now for the master’s program, I was completely lost.
Pursuing her interests and staying open
Rhonda: What’s next on the horizon for you?
Katarina: I’m hoping to graduate and possibly get into a PhD program. I’ve been tutoring at our school, where I have my own classes and students I teach math.
I really enjoy being an educator. That is why I decided I should try for a PhD and maybe eventually teach in college.
But I’m very flexible. I also love economics and finance. I’ve taken many finance classes, done projects, and enjoyed it. I’m taking it as it goes and enjoying every day as it is. I don’t stress about it. What’s going to come is going to come.
Working for the life she wants
Rhonda: Why did you want to tell your story? You didn’t have to do this. This was voluntary, trying to make immigrants more vocal and get people to listen to their stories. Why did you tell yours?
Katarina: I think it’s important to hear these stories, that it is possible. I’m in groups for immigrants from my country, Europe, and other countries. Often, I see questions on Facebook with a lot of negative feedback: “Don’t go to the US because it’s so expensive,” or, “It’s not good. It’s not how everybody thinks.” But we’re still here.
A lot of people come here, and I feel like they think they cannot make it or cannot do something. For me, it’s the other way around. I came here and said, “I am here, and I’m going to take this opportunity and make the best of it.”
I believe it is a country where you can come and have a really good life, but you have to work for it. You cannot expect to come and have somebody give you everything. You will have to work for it. But if you work for it, you will get there.
I think that is one of the biggest differences between my country, or many other European countries, and the United States: if you really prove yourself here, you will have a good life.
Rhonda: Thank you so much, Katarina. Do you have any last things you want to say before we wrap up?
Katarina: Just to encourage people that anything is possible. There are so many resources and so many people to help. If anybody struggles with anything, there are so many resources and ways we can do it.
Rhonda: Thank you so much.
Katarina: You’re welcome. Thank you so much.
You can connect with Katarina Spackova on LinkedIn.
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