Hello fellow Americans and dear immigrants,
I would like to share my story of how my family sold everything in literally one week to live in the USA.
Was it all worth it ?
In 2006, my mother received an envelope from some Ukrainian visa company located in Lviv (Eastern Ukraine). It said, “Congratulations... You are one of the candidates that has been qualified to win a green card.” “Qualified to win a green card ?” thought my mother. You either win something or you don’t. Immediately my mother grew skeptical of this letter and pronounced it as scam. So she threw it out in the garbage.
A week later, she received a call from the same company saying, “You have won the lottery. You are one of the candidates that has been qualified to win a green card.” It is then that my mother told all of us that a couple years back, she actually filled out a lottery application for a green card in a newspaper. She has a tendency to fill out everything, even if it’s just scam. And this time, she had actually won something !
So to many the long story short, our family won the green card but in order to claim it, we had to pass medical exams and background check that was required by both the Ukrainian and American embassies. That was the qualification part. Okay so far, so good.
But now came the question. If we are to go to the United States are we ever to come back ? What do we do with the two houses that we own here ? Do we quit our jobs right away ? How in the world will we even move ? Do we even speak any English ? Is it worth moving ?
In literally one week, we sold our house, cars and other valuable stuff in order to pay for the expenses that were coming. WE FREAKING sold our house without even knowing where we are going. Would you do that ? Would I do that again if I were to bring the time back ?
On the airplane flight to New Jersey.
My dad is holding tight to our documents. My mother is praying cause her ears are clogged due to change in air pressure and she thinks she’s dying. My older brother is drinking free alcohol. And I’m just happy I don’t have to go to school tomorrow.
One week later.
I am in a catholic middle school. I will never send my kids to catholic school. I hated everything about it.
I hated America. I had no real friends. (If interested ask me why I will not send my kids to catholic schools and I will be glad to share ).
Now. I am 22 . 11 years have passed since I moved here. I am a pre-dental student at Rutgers University. I speak fluent English. I was the valedictorian of my high school graduating class. I got a full scholarship to Rutgers University. I own a BMW. Every single one of my family members has their own car. We own a two-story house with top notch modern design. My brother opened up his own company. My mother is a CNA nurse. My dad has full coverage insurance which completely paid for his heart surgery. And now ask me, was it all worth it ? Hell yes it was !! I am a young independent woman that can do everything I want in this free county. I love AMERICA! I love my people. I have a million friends! I can vote ! I can do anything I want !!! Thank you for this opportunity !!!
Now.....What is your Story?
With love ,
Khrystyna