The thought of finding love in a foreign country sounds like the beginning of a far-fetched fairytale, but that’s exactly what happened to Olga Dorman when she took a vacation from her home in Belarus to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

When she came to the United States in the summer of 2011, she was getting her degree in international economics at Belarusian State University. Dorman and her friends were out one night when a young gentleman introduced himself.

“There was a guy that came up to me and asked me my name,” Dorman. “In the future, he would be my husband.”

After getting to know each other over the summer, Dorman and her future husband decided to continue their relationship long distance. 

Their relationship flourished, and by 2012 the Dormans were married. Before moving to the United States, Olga Dorman completed her bachelor’s degree in Belarus while Michael Dorman taught English there.

Now they’re both at UT, where Olga Dorman is pursuing a masters degree in East European and Eurasian Studies.

Eventually, Dorman hopes to work for the United Nations or a non-governmental organization in Eastern Europe to provide alternative news to people in Belarus. 

“Our government is authoritarian and very corrupt,” Dorman said. “In the 21st century, you can still search for news on the internet but in Belarus I’m sure that’s controlled by the government.”

Dorman said the education opportunities in the United States are what set it apart from other countries. In the future, she hopes her 10 year old brother will study in the United States.

“There are more possibilities in the United States,” Dorman said. “I’m very happy to not just to come to the States, but to study here.”