My family decided to move to America after receiving refugee status for religious reason in April 2005. It was a great opportunity to change life. But we didn’t dream about that. It happened and we got the chance. I had wanted to receive education in USA. Also I had tired of life in Russia with its problems. I thought that I could begin my life from the very outset. I prepared and I was in the mood for transition. Therefore I didn’t worry about the move. I just relaxed. I was in Moscow in the last days in Russia. Then my family and I flew to New York.
I remember my arrival in USA well. My relatives waited for me and they took my parents and me in a car. It was at night. I saw many lights of a city. It was great. I compared this to what I saw with my country. The government of my country economizes money and electricity. Therefore in cities there is not much light at night.
After my arrival I walked on the streets, to parks, and stores, and visited some popular places in Manhattan and built my impression about this place. I had never before been in a foreign country except Hungary. Arriving at New York was fascinating to me. That was because I could see everything what I had seen only on TV.
I don’t like big cities, because most of my life I lived in a small town in a province. But I lived in Moscow for the last two years before the USA. And every day I crossed this megapolis when I went to work. I know how life is in big city. I can get used to life in a city, but it doesn’t change my lifestyle and behavior. I think my constancy and stability in lifestyle comes from the lifestyle of my whole family. My mother is from West Ukraine, which is a poor province with a calm lifestyle. My father is from Tajikistan, a non-civilized region. Therefore I like wild nature and smooth course of life.
Many places in New York are interesting for me and some of them surprise me. There are Downtown Manhattan, Times Square, and Brighton Beach. But what are those places for me? Have I found something common in them? I think not. I just saw variety of development man’s thought. I give a few examples. Downtown Manhattan is the most important part of city and even the world. This is the financial capital of world. I understood it after 9/11. This tragedy showed for all people how economic sphere of the world is dependent on USA. One place is also making me exciting. This is Times Square. It’s mobile and dynamic place, lighting and thrilling. It is inspiring to watch, but only for a short time. This place is a symbol of New York life with its fast rhythm, crowds and diversity. Certainly, this City is very comfortable for millions people. Many people want to be there. I am here, but it’s not mine. I have interest in New York only for fun. Skyscrapers are very interesting for me. I strike dumb every time when I see it. I like everything, which related with construction. I had experience in erecting buildings. In the last month in Russia before leaving for the U.S. I was building my house. Here I do not have opportunity to work at home as a contraction worker or farmer, carpenter or house painter. Definitely I can find these jobs, but it would be profession, not hobby, which I had at home.
Also I became interested when I saw many places that appear in some movies, as such as the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the New York Library and others. When I watched movies I saw many places and buildings, as such as Washington Bridge, Empire State Building and others, being destroyed. Now I can imagine myself as a hero of the movies. For instance, the movie “After tomorrow” shows to spectators the extermination of The New York City. I’m paying attention to my feelings and comparing it as a small ant in an anthill. At these moments I have felt nostalgia about motherland where I was not so “small”.
These examples, which stated above, say about а wide variety and advanced stage of development of the world to which I noticed when I immigrated to the USA.
I have been living in New York for more than two years. What is change for this time? Who am I now? Have I related to life in another way? There are a few ideas, which I had got at this time. The treasure of man is in his personal qualities, inner world, and principles of life. Everything around us is changeable and non-everlasting. I don’t subdue myself to things and living conditions that around me. A new place is just new area for realizing potential of individual. If I have a peace in my heart, even rhythm of big city can’t devastate it. If I have principles and follow tradition, the changing address doesn’t make me lost something precious as my soul and unique.
Moreover, I understood that everything, that you see around, have a major importance. Many people after arriving to New York begin to criticize American life, lifestyle of big city and other cultural features. Firstly, I did it also, but then I understood the criticism is not wisdom. But only man, who lives, works, creates can do the appreciation.
Thereupon I will be a worthy inhabitant, who wishes to be good and generous. My transition gave me many opportunities for that such as high quality education, labour market, safety and a lot of fun.
December 2007
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