Ukrainian is my first language. In preschool, my peers learned the English alphabet from their parents, a crucial academic bridge for children. I, however, learned it alongside my parents. Television shows, picture books, and songs taught us the alphabet and how to speak complete sentences. After some time, my parents decided that they knew enough to get by, and I was left to enhance my English language knowledge independently. Once my parents were satisfied with their level of proficiency, my dad made a rule: no English spoken in the house. To this day, my parents worry that speaking English will cause me to forget Ukrainian, rendering me incapable of communicating with my relatives. Although my English skills have surpassed my Ukrainian linguistics, it is unlikely that I will ever forget to speak Ukrainian fluently. My value on linguistics and culture has carried into my formal education and personal life. I have been steadily learning the Italian language and culture for six years. Italian- I learned in school and practiced on my own while friends enriched the authentic culture. In return, I share my ancestral culture with them. By sharing our cultures, histories, and experiences with one another, we avoid the horrors of our world that we all see every day on the news. My passion is kindness and peace, but in my opinion, peace is rooted in shared values, communication, and culture.