Finding My Place: Navigating the Challenges of Immigration

There is an old and famous joke anecdote among Russian immigrants: One kind man died and went to Heaven. He lived there without any worries. Suddenly, devils come, racing through Heaven in a chariot, and shout, "Come with us! We have drinks, girls, and everything you ever wanted! Let's go!!!" The man went to God and said, "Lord, let me go to Hell on tour!" "But why do you need this? Are you missing something?" "No, but I'm just curious to see it." God permitted him for three days. The man returned full of impressions. After some time, the devils raced through Heaven again, inviting him. He asked for permission and came back happy as a clam again. After a few more trips, the man thought for a long time, came to God, and said, "Lord, let me go to Hell forever!" "Are you sure about this?" "Yes." God let him go. The man arrived in Hell and immediately got stuck in the tar! "Guys, what are you doing? It's me! We drank together, we..." "Hey, dear, don't confuse tourism with immigration."

I have always found this anecdote quite relatable. As an immigrant, I understand how easy it can be to confuse tourism with immigration. When I came to the United States as a tourist, I could see only the good aspects of living here. I saw a rich and diverse nature, a beautiful combination of forests, scenic hillsides, clear lakes, and sandy beaches. I saw the bustling city streets with towering skyscrapers, colorful storefronts, and numerous cafes. I saw an ideal living place full of opportunities and fantastic success stories! Therefore, when I moved to the United States, I was excited and hopeful for a better future. I was looking for the American Dream, like many before me, seeking freedom and prosperity. However, soon after arrival, I realized that living in a new country was not all sunshine and rainbows. Learning a new language, finding a job, and making friends was just the beginning. The hardest part was fitting into a new culture without losing my identity.

Starting from scratch in a foreign land is challenging. The cultural differences and language barrier made it hard for everyone to fit in. I had studied English in Russia for many years, but I quickly found that speaking English in everyday conversations was much more challenging than I anticipated. I struggled to understand people's accents and slang and often felt embarrassed when I couldn't express myself clearly. I worried that people would judge me for my grammar mistakes and struggled with simple questions like answering "How are you?" I had to learn not only how to speak English correctly but also how to interact with Americans ethically. And even after living in the United States for almost five years, learning the language every day, and becoming a citizen, I still feel like an outsider. I will probably never be able to speak English like a native, and