For people who have immigrated to the United States; what has been your experience like?

I am originally from Sochi, Russia.
It took a very long time for me to get accustomed. It was so weird here! I’ve been here for about 7 years now. I don’t really like it as much as I do Russia, but the opportunities are great here. I think people are very fortunate to live here. I immigrated because my father wanted to see what it was like and he wanted to get more money. Before I came here, I thought people here were going to be very nice and accepting. I thought school would be challenging. I came here and people were very judgmental and they made fun of me until my accent lightened up a bit. When I began school, it was almost like I was a 12 year old sitting in a kindergarten class. School in the United States is very easy. I graduated from high school very early because of this. Sometimes I feel like a second class citizen because people still think that they need to explain things a lot more for me. It’s quite insulting because my English is very good and I’m not dumb at all. I really wish people were nicer around here!

@KatetheGreat Where do you live? Each state and each community is so different in the US. It is hard to generalize.

@JLeslie I’ve lived in New York, South Carolina, Illinois, and New Mexico. I travel a lot as well. I wouldn’t say I’m generalizing.

@KatetheGreat Interesting. You did not find a difference from one state to another? My husband is Mexican, he went to high school in Texas for two years and some of that was hellish. He returned to the US for college, and then stayed here. As an adult living in America I think he feels American, and appreciates the opportunities he has here (I realize you said you do also). Culturally I think America is actually a better fit for him in some ways than Mexico. I don’t thik he ever feels like an outsider, but for most of his adulthood he lived in FL and our community was fairly diverse. He does miss some of the food from Mexico for sure though.

@raven860 My husband’s sister once voiced to me that coming from Mexico she was surprised how much the government is in people’s personal business in the US, and that she thought “connections” would not matter in the US. That it would not be about who you know, or your last name to get you ahead, but in fact those things do make some difference in the US.

@JLeslie I’ve found a little difference in the places. Places like Illinois and New York were easier to live in. There was more of a Russian population and I could get along with them. There are a lot of nice people, but a lot of the time I get judged as soon as I open my mouth. I sooooo know how your husband feels about missing the food! I go to Russian restaurants, but it seems that you just can’t get the same things from back home!

@KatetheGreat I miss a lot of food just living in Memphis! I go back to NY and FL, see all the yummy breads and cakes, and delicious restaurants, and feel frustrated I cannot get many foods I am accusomed to. Especially in the supermarkets, so many products I cannot get here. I also miss the diversity of people living in ghe south. I like beng around people from many places, many languages, many cultures.

My husband’s brother thinks every time someone asks him where he is from that they are judging him, but really it is very American to ask where someone is from, and usually asked out of curiousity, not judgement. Any chance that is happening to you? You think people are not accepting when really they are just curious about your culture or explaining how thngs are different here? Not necessarily saying your way is a bad way, but trying to clue you in? Help.