I completely disagree with some of the statements in this article (article is no longer available)…
For example, with this one: “With the most successful assimilation, you will never fully self-realize in a foreign country as a top-class specialist.” This is pure nonsense. Becoming a top-class specialist in America is actually much easier than in Russia, where a lot is bought and pre-arranged in advance. What is a top-class specialist? A professional who works a good job and earns good money. There are many such Russians in the States, especially in the software development industry. One can break through and achieve a lot – if there’s the desire. And as for how many successful entrepreneurs and artists from Russia have made it in the US, history already knows… Russians are very creative, intelligent people with a good (generally, and the older they get, the better on average) education. And they don’t break through through connections, but precisely through their talents. Assimilation has nothing to do with it. I still haven’t assimilated, and I probably never will fully, but I am a top-class specialist, and I’ve been in the country only 7 years. And I don’t consider myself an exception. In Silicon Valley, there are plenty of Russians like me – and even better. Of course, I had difficulties, but mostly because I initially lived in a very small town with few opportunities. But even there, I immediately found a job in my field. Later, I was absolutely alone, without much help. I traveled from state to state, got caught in the crisis. But, in general, as soon as I moved to California, everything started to fall into place. The main thing is the inner mindset. If a surgeon spends ten years cleaning floors, he probably won’t achieve much.
I don’t agree with the idea that you need to “lose” years for adaptation. Sometimes people rise very quickly. Three years to become a “top-class specialist” is a good amount of time. Because, first and foremost, language is key. Even with good English, it’s not easy to integrate into the environment right away, as any “Russian” English (without enough practice) won’t give you a ticket to becoming a top-class specialist. In this sense, adaptation will be necessary, as well as understanding the culture.
When it comes to applying energy in Russia – assimilation in another country and trying to achieve something in your own require completely different resources. If you take the energy and qualities needed to achieve something in Russia and apply them in the US, the results will differ drastically. I believe that in the same amount of time in the US, you could build a successful business that wouldn’t be threatened by racketeering or unfriendly tax laws, and this business could end up being much more successful and profitable than in Russia. At least because organizing businesses in Russia (for example, in Moscow or St. Petersburg) is more expensive by definition. At least because it’s simply colder there and will require more energy (literally – heat). I understand that every place has its own expenses, but based on what I know about both countries, I conclude that there are more opportunities in the US to apply that same energy to achieve something. Of course, it depends on the field, but still.
For example, in Russia, I had minimal chances of becoming a fashion designer. I mean, almost zero. Here, I do have those chances. Of course, it’s difficult, but possible – to the extent that even I, with my fear of taking risks, can try.
I don’t agree that emigration is unacceptable for a creative person because they lose their environment. Nonsense! Creativity is international. Creativity doesn’t depend on the environment. Moreover, I think there are fewer creative people in the States, proportionally, than in Russia. And that’s why they are more valued here. Much more! Specific creativity – especially. Of course, there may be some types of creativity that are tied to the environment. But I can’t imagine a case where a specific type of creativity wouldn’t be in demand in the US, except perhaps creativity tied exclusively to language – literature, poetry, journalism… For those people, of course, it will be harder to orient themselves. But that doesn’t mean they won’t have opportunities or that “emigration is unacceptable”! There are many Russians living in any country, and they can create as much as they want in their native language!
Also, I found it very amusing to read about how “America, its people, are closest in spirit to Russians.” That’s also some rare nonsense. America and its people are no more close in spirit to Russians than any other people. If we remember that we are all human beings, then – yes, we are close. But when it comes to cultures, the difference in mentalities is enormous! This (first and foremost) will be the primary difficulty for Russians in emigration. Fortunately, there are many Mexicans and people from other Latin American countries in the US – these people are much closer to Russians in mentality, certainly not Americans. Indians are even closer to Russians than Mexicans, but the idea that Americans are close in spirit to Russians could only make one smile. It seems that the author of this thought has either lived in the US for a very short time or lives in some other, illusory world. I’m not arguing; there are some individuals who are so aware that they are kind of outside of the culture of any particular state, a kind of cosmopolitan, citizens of the world. But this applies to people from any country. In general, American culture and mentality are so different from Russian culture and mentality that in some ways, they are polar opposites, and a Russian person often needs a lot of time to integrate into American culture, and it never happens without losses in one’s own personality. Never.
From the things the author didn’t like about the US, I’d say that political correctness is not bad at all if paired with a willingness to sincerely discuss topics that matter to people. It’s good when people are not insulted just because they belong to a different race. And in general, there are many situations where political correctness is great. Otherwise, there’s too much hypocrisy – outwardly, we all seem so correct, but behind people’s backs… Though, I must admit, after learning about Turks, who never say anything unpleasant to someone’s face, but can gossip as much as they want behind their backs, I must say that in the US, many people express their opinions openly without hesitation. Although, of course, not in the same way as it happens in Russia, where anyone can say whatever they think about someone, often in such a way that the person receiving it may fall into a deep depression.