Have you ever gone to a foreign country for vacation, thinking what your life would be like if you had lived there? What an exciting, thrilling, yet difficult experience that may be for some. But the common immigrant experience ignites questions, explorations, and exhausts many personalized opportunities as well.
Marina Nazarov immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1994. She worked over 90 hours a week before establishing Absolute Caregivers, an agency that provides aid to elderly residents of the southern portion of Indiana. Nazarov says she and her management team strive to cultivate trust and compassion with their clients and caregivers, creating a growing and prosperous environment. Victoria Shmoel, the daughter of Nazarov, says the organization was difficult to start.
“I just remember them working a lot, being gone, and it being financially difficult. Even though as a kid you don’t know what the situation is, you would feel things,” said Shmoel. “It was a whole new country for them. The culture and language is different, so I think it was stressful because it was a different environment.”
Nazarov says this is the typical internal monologue of an average immigrant within American society. She says this long journey of adjusting to a new country comes with lessons that can result in a rather hard-working mentality.
“I had a four year old daughter and my husband. We had no money, no English and a little kid with us. It was very stressful and it was a very unknown situation. I didn’t know what to expect but yet I had a feeling and understanding that it was for the best,” said Nazarov.
With Nazarov’s arrival came a safe haven for fellow immigrants with shared experiences and struggles to achieve their hard-earned goals, bringing assistance to residents and minorities of Indiana. Ulyana Stokolosa, the agency administrator, recounts her experience of becoming an employee of the organization.
“I met Marina, she gave me a chance and offered me this position. I would say that this changed my life a lot. Back then there were only three people, so they were training me and taught me everything. Looking back, how much we did for all five years and where we are now, it was a huge progress.” said Stokolosa.
Stokolosa also cites her passion for the job, something that Nazarov has helped her to obtain. This particular passion for helping clients is a priority for the rest of the management team.
“You really get attached to them, you really want to do as much as you can to help them, and sometimes we even help them with things that aren’t a part of the services just because we feel so led to support them,” said Stokolosa.
With this, some may say the passion to be successful is a common drive for those who immigrate to America where families do their very best to provide for their children in a sustainable way of any sort. NHS student Liannelys Quinones from Cuba has experienced a similar struggle with her assimilation process.
“I came here a year and eight months ago, and I’d say English was the biggest struggle. It was very hard for me to learn,” said Quinones.
The causes of immigration can vary from person to person. However, Shmoel has noticed a commonality among the contributions made by the immigrants she works with and the potential they bring within American society.
“Immigrants have in their culture to work very hard. I feel like that’s what immigrants bring to America,” said Shmoel. “That sense of working hard, caring and continuing to do better because we come from a country where there’s not a lot of opportunity and it’s such a socialist society.”
Countries hold unique systems of governance, some of which are more restrictive than others. Shmoel observes the difference in mobility between Russia and the United States regarding career and job employment.
“[In] Russia it’s heavily authoritative. Even if you have a good degree, doctors there still don’t make as much as they can make here,” said Shmoel.
Despite the disappointments she’s seen in her native country, the contributions Nazarov has made in particular has made herself and the people around her help cope with such struggles. Her lessons and journey paved the way for new learning experiences for both her clients and herself.
“Every single person has the same opportunity here in America. You need to take the opportunity to your advantage and follow your dream,” said Nazarov.” Be very strong in your mindset, be committed to your goals, and success will find you if you work hard.”
