Experience stories
International adoption: A Journey of Dreams Becoming Reality. Arina Cunningham
While facing challenges in orphanages and foster care, Arina dreamt of a loving family. As she grew older, believing no one wanted to adopt a teenager, her dream faded. Suddenly, at 15, she met a loving family through international adoption and moved from Latvia to Texas, USA.
A family of show performers traveling around Europe and beyond: The Winter Family
Patrick is a 6th-generation show organizer from Germany. Yuliya is a professional show performer from Ukraine. Their daughter, Nika, is part of every show across multiple countries. They share an inspiring life, but deep inside, their hearts and plans for a home in Ukraine have been broken.
From Pakistan to Lapland: Erum’s Inspiring Journey as a Single Mother | Stories from the North
Discover Erum Ali’s inspiring story in the latest Stories from the North episode. Host Linda Paulauska explores Erum’s journey from Pakistan to Finland as a single mother of two. Hear how she balances motherhood, education, and life in Lapland, showcasing courage, resilience, and determination.
Carolina’s Erasmus Journey: From Portugal to Northern Europe | Stories from the North
In this Stories from the North episode, meet Carolina Vaz-Pires from Portugal, whose passion for education and travel has taken her across Europe. Host Linda Paulauska explores Carolina’s inspiring journey through the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program, spanning Latvia, Finland, and Estonia.
A Special Moment: Holding Your Own Story in Print
Years ago, Arina lived a challenging orphan life. Her transformative journey from adoption to relocation was captured in a published story. Seven years later, we reunited, and she holds the magazine encapsulating her remarkable journey – a story that touched many hearts.
Kiwoong Nam - Stories from the North with Linda Paulauska
Kiwoong Nam shares his inspiring move from South Korea to Rovaniemi - Finland’s Northern city, and his story of adjusting to Arctic life with his family.
Facing Infertility and Becoming Parents Through IVF at a Young Age: Auzins family
At the age of 18, Valeria and Aivis got married and hoped to welcome a baby. Unexpectedly, they faced infertility. With the help of IVF, they became happy parents at the age of 20.
Yulu Liu: Erasmus Mundus Journey to Study Service Design - From China to Latvia
In this episode, we uncover the amazing journey of Yulu Liu from China. Passionate about service design, Yulu embarked on her Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in “Service Design Strategies and Innovations.”
Alopecia Doesn’t Kill the Person: Ieva Putnina’s Journey of Self-Discovery and Empowerment
Meet Ieva Putnina — diagnosed with Alopecia Areata at 12 years old. For years, she hid behind wigs and fear. But everything changed when she chose to embrace her true self.
Welcoming a Child with Down Syndrome through International Adoption: The Wimmer Family
An orphaned girl with Down Syndrome was offered for adoption to 127 families, all of whom declined. The girl’s story deeply touched the Wimmer family, leading them to embark on international adoption before even seeing a photo of the child.
