A
female
age
26-29,
anonymous
writes:This site is easily accessible in Russia and not blocked, thankfully!I'm a 27 year old Russian woman, well-educated, and want to move to the U.S, have done for the past 4 years.Obviously the current war is going to make it difficult.I don't support the current government, wish our country had a government like that of the US or Canada, with democratic elections; election night stuff, free press etc. and wider choice of media.The US also has friendlier people.I only visited once when I was 18 in 2013, and it felt more like home being there.The only problem is I think the US won't accept me simply because I'm a Russian citizen and European / US airspace is banned to Russian planes.How am I supposed to get a good job and a new life in the US if I can't even get there for interview etc.?I am bilingual, Russian/English but brought up with English as a first language unusually for some.I am aware the US isn't the dream place and racist, but not as ironfist dictatorial as Russia is.As it is, I want a better life, have worked to get it, got an education but can't get a job here.I want to live somewhere like Los Angeles, and get a job in computing support or maybe work in local politics or something like that.How can I ever achieve my dream in current circumstances?I am aware COVID has obviously caused problems etc. but the world is opening up again.I'm prepared to live in the US no matter how mundane everyday life is there, but it'll be better than my home country with Putin who needs to be out of office soon, and should be with his supposed dementia and Parkinson's. I don't like Joe Biden, he's also got same health concerns as Putin, but things can and do and will change.I feel more of a connection to the US and it being my true home country and would move there if I could.I feel more American than Russian in terms of who I am,, my behaviours, my social attitudes.I only really felt comfortable around the American or Australian expats living here in my home city, not locals. I still miss the woman from Colorado who lived here for 5 years from wehn i was 16 to 21, she was great as a friend!What I feel is I cannot break my status quo and get out of it, but it's not by choice.How can I stop myself getting depressed and actually achieve the dream?
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female
reader, RitaBrown  +, writes (22 May 2022):
Good advice from both answers you've received so far.
If you can become experienced in nursing or any other health - related profession it will be much easier to get a work permit. Just about all countries need good care workers.
And try to get to another country first if you feel that the USA won't accept you straight from Russia. How about Cyprus - they have fairly strong links with Russia and they're in the EU so it will be easier for you to get a visa from there.
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (22 May 2022): Go to a third country then from there apply for asylum. I am sure you will be accepted very quickly.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (21 May 2022): Please don't give up!
I have managed to leave Serbia. And if you know little about how the world sees people from that neck of the woods, you know that we too lived through war, poverty, sanctions, inability to leave the country, necessary visas, discrimination... even today. After 13 years in an EU country, I am still a second-class citizen. There's a list of countries that they have special rules for that make life very difficult for people who come from there.
By saying this I am not trying to discourage you. On the contrary. If I made it, almost anyone from Europe can. I'm not counting people from Africa and the Middle East who have to go through hell to be able to live a normal life.
First, you need to have a plan, set achievable goals and be realistic. Leaving the country requires some money. You cannot go penniless. Secondly, you need to have a profession (nurse, IT expert, certified (court) translator...). Otherwise, you will probably waste a lot of time, energy AND money for nothing.
A friend of mine planned to leave the country way ahead. It took her 4 years to become a certified nurse, learn Norwegian and move there. You see what I am getting at. Things don't happen overnight. Plan ahead. And make no mistake, whatever level of education you have in Russia, you will have to do work that is far below that level and be paid accordingly. The nurse I mentioned works as an aid in a hospice. For now. Even though her bosses give her some tasks nurses usually do, she is only a nursing aid and her paycheck is not great. But it's a start. At 45 for her.
As I said, set realistic goals and make a plan. Step by step. Focus on it. Everything you do from now on has to be connected to that plan. Save money. Get a profession. This has to become your mission.
There are still countries you can travel to. Serbia is one of them. Actually, a lot of your compatriots have found their refuge there. Some of them have found work (IT experts), some of them have opened their own companies (those wealthier ones). Some came there hoping they would soon be able to find their way into the EU or the USA. I would enlarge my search and include Australia, New Zeland at least as a temporary solution.
And be careful what you post online. Just sayin’ if you know what I mean.
Also, if I were you, I’d keep my plans to myself. Times are hard. Help others if you can, but also protect yourself.
If you have some money, you can always try the “student route”. But it is hard and there are no guarantees that you will be able to change your papers once you “finish your studies”.
What will get you going in the morning and fight depression is a list of achievable goals. Dream big. Yes. But be pragmatic. You have to have something that will make you necessary. Even before covid, nursing aids were in great demand. Population is getting older and sicker. Nationals of wealthy countries do not want to do this kind of work unless they really have to.
Whatever kind of certification you decide to have, first make sure that it is acceptable in the countries you want to go to. Many will sell you dreams. In reality, they will only take your money. Be very careful with “immigration agencies” who promise all sorts of things for a certain fee. Reality is harsh. You need to have some money to begin with and a profession that is in demand. Also, check what the rules are for certain professions when it comes to leaving the country. Maybe some of them are regulated in that regard. Think ahead.
I wouldn’t talk about other possibilities because I don’t know much about them. I know some people who married for papers and their lives are maybe nice on the outside, but they’re pretty much hell on the inside. Especially for women. If you dream that you can get papers like this and then become independent leave your (abusive) partner… it can take years maybe even over a decade. And there are no guaranties that by the time you get your papers you will be able to be financially independent. Women are still less paid than men. Employers pray on immigrant women. They are ideal employees. You can pay them less, make them work harder and they will not complain. Even immigrant men have more choices than women. Women do this to women! So be realistic.
There’s also one hard truth. You may not feel Russian, but you are not only what you feel you are, but how others see you. Especially when it comes to administration.
Hang in there! To quote a dear friend, who has also managed to leave the country despite all odds: "If you invest all your energy into it, it will happen." I would just add “smartly”. But it goes without saying ;)
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