Minsk, Belarus. Moved in 1995
Arkady: I came to America in 1992 to visit my cousin. I came with schoolchildren who were Chernobyl survivors, they were received by Germany, and the USA for rehabilitation, for treatment, well, for care. From the Chernobyl zone. And I was able to join this group as a chaperon for these children since it was impossible to just buy a ticket to America. And I stayed for several months. I thought to stay (in the US). If they gave me, as I was promised, a residence permit within a few months, then I could legalize, then bring my family. But I came back. And then we waited for an interview for another 3 years.
At work (in Belarus), there were clashes on ethnic grounds, it came to the point that my subordinates insulted me, and my colleagues. I had a negative attitude towards this situation. Although when I was still in school, I did not feel it. Then I studied at the aviation school, and I was the only Jew in the group there and I didn't feel any anti-Semitism. I studied in the Kursk region, in the city of Rylsk. You know, in the outback of Russia, they somehow did not pay attention (to nationality). But in big cities people did. Apparently, something was influencing.
The situation (in Belarus) was changing all the time for the worse. In 1995, I received the permit (to enter America).
At work (in Belarus), there were clashes on ethnic grounds, it came to the point that my subordinates insulted me, and my colleagues. I had a negative attitude towards this situation. Although when I was still in school, I did not feel it. Then I studied at the aviation school, and I was the only Jew in the group there and I didn't feel any anti-Semitism. I studied in the Kursk region, in the city of Rylsk. You know, in the outback of Russia, they somehow did not pay attention (to nationality). But in big cities people did. Apparently, something was influencing.
The situation (in Belarus) was changing all the time for the worse. In 1995, I received the permit (to enter America).
Arkadiy and Tanya on things they brought
I will honestly say that after I came back (to Belarus) from my first stay (in the US) for almost a year, my relatives will not let me lie, I said that no, I don’t want to go to America. The fact is that we had the permit to go to Germany. But my son said: I applied to De Paul (University of Chicago), I want to study in America.” And it played a major role.
My son already had decent English and it was easier for us to settle down (in the USA). My son worked part-time, studied, I started working, my wife started working part-time, and then full-time, and we bought a house in which we have been living for 23 years already.
(In America) I no longer worked as an engineer. I worked at the airport (In Belarus) with equipment that was already outdated in the US. I did maintenance work with the airport electronics, this is my specialty in life.
My son already had decent English and it was easier for us to settle down (in the USA). My son worked part-time, studied, I started working, my wife started working part-time, and then full-time, and we bought a house in which we have been living for 23 years already.
(In America) I no longer worked as an engineer. I worked at the airport (In Belarus) with equipment that was already outdated in the US. I did maintenance work with the airport electronics, this is my specialty in life.
There was an organization - JVC, that helped people to find jobs. Well, Jewish people of course, but everyone who wanted to find a job could go there. At some point, they helped me get a job in a restaurant. I worked there for only one week. A Jewish American, a business owner, would treat you like dirt, like slops: Go, shut up, it's none of your business... Relations between people seem to be friendly, everyone smiles, but they think of you like that...
The state of suburbs with the slanting street lights... When I saw it, I thought, my God, is this America? Or is it in some kind of sticks? Of course, when we drove through downtown, everything was beautiful there. But these slanting street lights, these skewed and hanging street light transformers ... It surprised me. The roads in Chicago, you know for yourself, are not perfect. I didn't like these little things.
Of course, I loved that the stores were full of food! I liked that. We came from Belarus, where at that time it was impossible to buy food in earnest. In 1995, you know... In this sense (in America) we were given food stamps, they helped us, we got help with a portion of our rent. Everything was alright. My wife took courses, Jewish organizations helped us, they didn't really let anyone go down. If someone wanted to work, they worked.
Today I am happy that my son got a job. Both sons. I am already great-grandfather. My wife has been painting for 15 years now. There's no extra space to hang pictures, I have a whole art gallery! Tanya Ash, you can find pictures on Facebook and YouTube.
The state of suburbs with the slanting street lights... When I saw it, I thought, my God, is this America? Or is it in some kind of sticks? Of course, when we drove through downtown, everything was beautiful there. But these slanting street lights, these skewed and hanging street light transformers ... It surprised me. The roads in Chicago, you know for yourself, are not perfect. I didn't like these little things.
Of course, I loved that the stores were full of food! I liked that. We came from Belarus, where at that time it was impossible to buy food in earnest. In 1995, you know... In this sense (in America) we were given food stamps, they helped us, we got help with a portion of our rent. Everything was alright. My wife took courses, Jewish organizations helped us, they didn't really let anyone go down. If someone wanted to work, they worked.
Today I am happy that my son got a job. Both sons. I am already great-grandfather. My wife has been painting for 15 years now. There's no extra space to hang pictures, I have a whole art gallery! Tanya Ash, you can find pictures on Facebook and YouTube.
Arkadiy and Tanya about what they'd keep further
