'I feel very comfortable here': the Ukrainian traveled to the USA for 3 months, but stayed forever

Ukrainian Karolina decided to go to the USA for several months - to work, improve her English and travel. During her stay in the States, a real war broke out in her native Luhansk, so she no longer had the opportunity to return. About how her life in another country developed, Carolina told the publication Prian. Next - from the first person.

Moving to the United States was difficult, even despite the support of loved ones.

I left for New York on May 7, 2014 under the Work and Travel program. It was supposed that I would spend three months in the States - I would work, improve my language, travel, get imbued with the local culture, make new acquaintances and spend an unforgettable summer. At the beginning of September, I was supposed to return.

However, it was in that summer that the war began in Luhansk. Riots and clashes in the region began a couple of weeks before my departure, and a month later real hostilities broke out there.

It became clear that it was impossible to return to where they were bombing and shooting, where everything was falling apart, even if it was home. And at that time it was impossible to enter the city: the entrance and exit were blocked. So I started thinking about how to get legal status in the States.

At that time, my whole family remained in Lugansk - my mother, grandmother and brother. At first, they, like me, thought that I was going only for the summer, they really supported me - my grandmother even gave me money for a ticket. But my new desire, dictated by the circumstances - to stay in the States - they also approved, especially my mother.

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Despite the support of my relatives, this period was very difficult for me - both morally and financially. I had to come up with a legal way to stay in a foreign country and find a good job to distribute the debts that I took to participate in the Work and Travel program.

I had no relatives or friends in New York, I had to rely only on myself. I began to adapt, make acquaintances. And with surprise, three months later, I realized that in a completely foreign country I was at home.

From McDonald's to a prestigious medical center

Vacancies for participation in the Work and Travel program were selected for me in a specialized Ukrainian agency. His employees also processed documents, filled out questionnaires and helped to pass interviews. Naturally, the services are paid.

Initially, I liked a vacancy at a water park in Wisconsin Dells, but later there was a chance to get into one of the McDonald's in New York. With this vacancy, I applied for a J-1 visa and was approved.

With this nonimmigrant visa, I could stay in the United States for three months. It also provided for the opportunity to stay in the country for another 30 days after the end of work - this is the so-called grace period. The main condition for the extension is to work where you originally settled (or received the sponsor's consent to change the place). But this option, alas, did not suit me.

My first job - McDonald's - was, to put it mildly, not the ultimate dream. They paid very little - $ 8 per hour before taxes, after which it came out about $ 5 per hour. This, of course, was not enough for life, but as a way to come to the USA it was suitable.

Two weeks later, I decided to look for another job. I found a vacancy for a waiter, where I was employed unofficially, but received cash. Immigrants on arrival very often work in restaurants - waiters are always required, and this is work "for cash." Often there is no talk of official employment there, and newcomers are paid less than locals. Of course, I understood that this place was temporary.

When she decided to stay in the United States on a permanent basis, she applied for a green card. After four and a half years, they finally gave it to me. With the green card, I got the opportunity not only to leave the country without restrictions, but also to apply for a higher-paid and, most importantly, official job.

Now I work as an administrator at a medical center. I answer calls, communicate with patients on the phone and personally book them to see a doctor, draw up cards, conduct paperwork and much more.

It will be hard without English

I have been learning English since I was four, you can say that this is my second native language. At the time of the move, I often even thought about it. Back in Ukraine, I taught the language to children, worked as a translator. Therefore, the different pronunciations of immigrants, and there are a great many of them in New York, never bothered me.

In general, I have my own subjective and somewhat aggressive opinion on this matter. There is no such thing: "fell - woke up - ended up in the United States." You need to learn English before moving, and not wait for it to fall on your head after crossing the border.

Learning any language takes many years, requires perseverance and patience. At that moment, when everyone goes for a walk, to a party, you sit at home or with a tutor and learn the language. When classmates go to a pizzeria after university, you study. Even I, having spent many years on this, seven of which I live in an English-speaking environment, cannot say that I can easily support any conversation. There is always something to work on.

It will be very difficult for a person who comes and knows only elementary phrases. He will have to work only with Russian-speaking people and only in certain areas, from which it is difficult to get out and in which it is difficult to become someone. You get stuck there because without language you can only work for your own people. I know many who have lived in Brighton Beach for 30-40 years, but still cannot communicate in English.

In fact, there is an opportunity not to use English, but it will be a limited life - within the framework of the quarter, Russian-speaking employers, lack of career growth, specialization of doctors, lack of information. You can survive, of course, but you won't be able to fully develop.

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In my opinion, a person who wants to immigrate should be tuned in to live among and communicate with Americans. It makes no sense to change the country, live in a narrow Russian-speaking circle and not communicate with the locals. Everything will be like at home. And then what is the point of moving?

Housing issue: if you buy, then only a house

To begin with, I advise everyone to rent an apartment on Airbnb - there is plenty to choose from, and no documents are required. And it is unlikely that it will work in another way, because in order to rent housing in the United States, the tenant must have a credit history.

At first, it is definitely worth giving preference to renting, even if there is a desire and opportunity to purchase a home. I believe that it is more correct to first decide on the state of residence, with the city you like, with a permanent job - and only after that buy an apartment or a house.

As for me, I have lived and live in Brooklyn and rent a four-room apartment with friends. We divide the sum of $ 2,5 thousand by all, which is the average price for New York. And considering that we have a closed-type area with its own police, this is even beneficial.

I don't even think about buying my apartment yet. This is not popular in the United States. For example, having bought an object in our area, I would pay a monthly mortgage of $ 2 thousand and a community fee of $ 1. Total $ 3 thousand, when you can rent for $ 1,5-2,0 thousand.

If you buy, then only a house. Locals love to have their own land, barbecue area, backyard, personal space.

I think a good house will cost $ 400-500 thousand. This is the average price in the country. In addition, you can always buy a room designed for two families in order to live on the second floor, and rent the first one. Financially, this is a more reasonable scheme.

What is American cuisine

The very concept of "American cuisine" does not exist as such. Usually, American cuisine means fast food - burgers and fries.

But since the United States is a country of immigrants and each of them brought with them a piece of their culture, there are a lot of cuisines here: Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Mexican, Puerto Rican ... Any! Each of them also has its own fast food.

Eating at local cafes is not very expensive, in much the same way as shopping in stores and cooking at home.

Among the most popular stores here are retail chains such as Walmart and Costco. In these you can buy everything - from food to clothing.

Delivery is also common in the States. You can place an order both through Amazon Fresh and on the website of a particular store. In addition, there are services that either bring ready-made food for a week or ingredients for cooking. The latter are usually accompanied by recipes.

I am developing a YouTube channel and love to travel

I have my own YouTube channel. He does not have any specific topic - he is about everything that interests me: about America, about travel, about the English language.

The idea to create it appeared several years ago during a conversation with a friend. We agreed that I have a zest - an unusual appearance, coupled with an excellent knowledge of Russian and English.

So far, this is just a hobby, the channel does not bring any income, but there are plans to monetize it, make it some more or less serious project. I want to be a person who shares his worldview, gives useful information. I would like to have a platform for discussions - so far I really miss this.

I also really like to travel. About once every six months I try to travel somewhere outside the United States. Before the pandemic, I was in Russia, Belarus and Mexico, and of course, I traveled around the States. Traveled to Chicago, Miami, Key West, Boston, Washington DC, Detroit, Connecticut, New Jersey and Grand Rapids.

I must say that travel around the United States is very affordable. Even a person with a low salary can take a plane ticket to a neighboring state to spend a weekend there. There are also many budget hotels.

Americans - what they are

The United States is a country of immigrants, many of whom formally became citizens, but in essence remained residents of their home country.

I think that the so-called American mentality is formed at school. Those who received their schooling here will almost certainly have an American mindset.

Locals love order, accuracy and organization. Perhaps this leads to one peculiarity that I cannot accept: they are very hurrying up the time.

It is believed that Americans, especially those in large cities, are cold people. On the contrary, even New Yorkers are very friendly and sociable. They will always prompt and help if necessary.

In friendship and relationships, Americans are selfish compared to Russians. A person is more fixated on himself, on making himself feel good. They do not live according to the principle of "endure and fall in love" and try to leave relationships that cause discomfort.

But here they are very strict about words that infringe on another person. You cannot say that you hate feminists, homosexuals or African Americans - the public will condemn them for that. This is not tolerant. Here, no one humiliates or insults anyone for the appearance and style of clothing. You can walk along the street even in pajamas - this is a personal matter of a person, the main thing is that he is comfortable.

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So far, I can’t get used to only two habits characteristic of Americans. First, some people think it is okay to sniff. People go to complain about you instead of talking. The second is walking around the house in street shoes. They can climb with their feet on a bed or sofa, even throw them on the table.

Before moving to America, understand where you are going.

Start by asking yourself if you really want to move, not just a change of environment. If you have already decided, please be patient and understand that starting life in another country from scratch is very, very difficult.

If the situation permits, go on exploration - make sure that this country is really yours. Then decide on the state and city.

Calculate your finances, understand if you can immediately buy a car (in most places there is nothing to do without it), find out everything about salaries in your area in that region, about the climate, the presence of a Russian-speaking community or its absence.

For example, from the very beginning I wanted to go to New York, to a big city with crowds of people, constant acquaintances and round-the-clock life. Now I want to get away from the hustle and bustle. I'm looking for a smaller and quieter city.

It would be hard to return home after the States

Unfortunately, a war is still going on in my homeland, although, of course, the active phase has passed. During the years that I lived in the United States, my grandmother died, and my brother moved to Russia. Only my mother remained in Lugansk, to whom I periodically come to visit.

I keep in touch only with my mother and my best friend. With them, there is no feeling that we have drifted away - we just see each other less often, and so they remained the same people who are close to each other. The rest of my friends and acquaintances were in touch for the first year in instant messengers and via Skype. And then communication with friends there was replaced by communication with friends here.

Returning home after seven years in the States, I think, will be difficult. But in principle, I always keep the option to leave here in my head. Maybe for some time I could live in Europe, but while I haven’t been there, it’s hard to guess. In any case, I do not plan to leave the United States now: I am very comfortable here.