Personal Narrative: My Life As An American Citizen

On November 19, 2002, I sat next to my loving adoptive parents, in the Moscow airport, waiting to board a plane to the United States of America, to begin my new life as an American citizen. That was the very last thing I remember about my old life back in Russia.
My journey began in a Russian orphanage around the age of nine months, after my birth parents decided they could no longer take care of me due to their financial and personal reasons. ​My adoptive parents, U.S. citizens, came to Russia and adopted me. Having heard the horror stories of what happens to children in orphanages and the tragedy of what occurs when they turn 16, I was so fortunate to have been given a chance for a happy life. I was going to be become an American and be afforded all of the opportunities my new country had to offer.
​​ Sometimes, I wonder about other immigrants who do everything in their power to overcome the challenges it takes to get into this amazing country. How they risk their lives and sometimes the lives of their children, to walk across a desert or swim across a dangerous river. I think about their determination and about the reasons they come.
I think many come for security, to be able to raise

their children without the fear of death,starvation or harm in some way. I can relate to that because had I stayed in Russia, I would have been shuffled from orphanage to orphanage not knowing if the caretakers would be kind or would abuse me for small infractions. There would have been days without food until a generous patron felt guilty enough to donate food or money.
​ Many immigrants come here for the chance of a good education or a job that actually pays. Orphans in Russia are not offered much of an education and they have few opportunities for a paying job. When an orphan turns age 16 in Russia, they turned out on the streets to make room for the next group coming in. The only real opportunities for children leaving an orphanage in Russia, is crime or the military.
​ Ultimately, I that the biggest reason immigrants come to the United States is for freedom. Freedom, such as free of speech, freedom of religion and freedom to live in peace are things we Americans sometimes take for granted. Many immigrants come from countries where they could be shot for speaking their minds, or killed because of their religious beliefs. That is true for many in Russia. On a daily basis, Russians are fearful. They learn early on not to speak out about or challenge the government. It seems that many have a fear they're being watched. I see that in my mother’s friends in Russia and how she has to call them at several different phone numbers, until they find one safe enough just to have a social conversation.
​ When I think about my life as opposed to those immigrants who risk so much to get here, perhaps I should feel guilty.

After all I was lucky. I had two loving and stable U.S. citizens come and get me and make me a part of their family. There were no barriers for me. There was no risk to my life or wellbeing. Sure, I feel bad about all the horrible things said about immigrants on TV and in our society. However, most of what I feel is thankful and determined. I am thankful for a loving family, and a country that has accepted me and offers me a chance at a good life. Like all immigrants, I am determined. I am determined to take advantage of what has been offered and what I can become. To do anything else, would be a waste of what so many immigrants desperately

want.