Interview with Masha
Exactly five years ago, Masha left everything she knew to move halfway around the world with two strangers that smiled all the time (a sure sign of diminished intelligence…) In honor of her anniversary, I have asked her to give us a little glimpse of what this was like for her…
What was it like to leave Ukraine?
It wasn’t that hard to leave i was actually very excited and yes i was kinda scared to leave my home and go to a different country but it was mostly a great experience. It was like half of me was happy and the other was scared. The happy side was happy that its going to go with my family, and the other was scared to leave because of weird happy Americans. haha Thats what i thought of Americans.
What was the hardest thing about coming to America?
The hardest things about coming to america was learning english and meeting new people. Learning a new language was very hard to do, but i think i did pretty good at learning it. It was hard for me to to talk to people at school and make new friends when i couldn’t really communicate or understand well enough, so i didn’t have many friends.
When you remember your life in Ukraine, do you remember in English or in Russian?
I remember it in English, i used to remember it in Russian but by about 5th month being here or so i started to think in English.
Do you ever think about going back?
I thought about it a lot in the beginning cause i missed it, now not so much because I’m so used to being here and calling this my home. I might visit later in life, but not anytime soon. Not that i don’t want to or miss it i just don’t think its the right time, there’s nothing to go back to.
What do you miss about Ukraine?
I definitely miss their food, ohh my, their food is amazing, i would choose their food over American in a heart beat. I also miss the people, people there are kinda of rude and unhappy, i know you would think why would you want to go back to that or why you miss that. I miss it because I’m sometimes like them, and being in the same environment it not seem like i am mean because its our culture.
What do you like best about America?
I like their food variety. I love food as you can tell by now. I love how they have different cultures, i just love that. There is a lot of things i like about America, people are a lot nicer. Also what i love about America is Cedar Point, i love that place if i could i would live there, and ride every ride everyday.
What do you want to ask Masha?? Leave a question in the comments…
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About Christine
I am a writer, a project manager, and a corporate refugee with a heart for orphans around the world. My two daughters were adopted from Ukraine at ages 12 and 14. I post about writing, chasing dreams, and making a difference in the world, and sometimes I share fun snippets of fiction in-progress.
Great post Christine and Masha!! I have not one but two questions for you!!
Masha, what were your interests/hobbies in Ukraine and how about now in America?
How long did it take to get used to/get comfortable being around those “weird happy Americans” that adopted you?
Some of my hobbies were dancing and going to camps. I dance most of the time i was there, dancing was my passion. When i came to America i dance to about 3 years and then i stopped because of school. Now i go to kickboxing classes that i enjoy and i also i like to run.
It didn’t take me that long at all i got comfortable to my parents very fast i started to call them mom and dad right when we left Ukraine.
That is awesome!!!!! Thanks so much for your great response!!!!!!
Oh and what is your favorite ride at Cedar Point? I’ve been there a few times and I love it too!!
I love all of them to tell you the truth. I cant choose one.
*I* would say her favorite is The Wheel Of Puke (although they call it MaxAir).
Hahah Wow. Never road that one. Sounds ummm..interesting!
haha
I love roller coasters, but spinny rides and swinging rides do me in, even with a motion sickness patch. I just look at this thing and my stomach does flips: http://www.cedarpoint.com/rides/Thrill-Rides/maXair
Love this! Masha, what would you say was the biggest difference between the United States and the Ukraine that required the biggest adjustment?
The biggest difference and challenge was probably the language and the fashion. It was hard to communicate with people if i didnt speak any english. People used to make fun of how i dressed so fashion was a big difference. Now i think i got the whole fashion thing under control…. i hope:)
Masha: What was the hardest part of becoming part of a new family as a 12-year-old?
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
The hardest part for me was not communicating with them about my problems and trying to talk to them. Also, not knowing them very well was very hard because if you don’t know someone you don’t really know how to act around them.
Great post! Did you have a hard time trusting your parents at first?
Yes i did. It was hard trusting someone I just met and couldn’t even get to know because i couldn’t speak English. Trust was a huge thing that i struggled with for the first few months, then i started to trust them because really i didn’t have a choice, i realized i will be living here for a long time and if they went out of their way to get me and bring me into their family why wouldn’t i trust them, they advent done anything to lose my trust.
HI Masha – I think your Mom is such a fabulous blogger. She can make, what others think is just a boring day, something so interesting to read. Like you are there as she and her family are living that moment. It’s a true gift.
So my question Masha – what do you want to do when you are done with college (yes – I expect you to go to college – :).
You’re a beautiful girl. My mother is from the Ukraine and came here with her family when she was 12. I would love for her to go back some day too.
I am definitely going to college.
When i am done with college hopefully i will graduate with two degrees a teaching degree and nursing or criminal justice degree. My teaching degree is just a back up job so if i lose my real job i have that to come back to. I love teaching, but i really want to to do be a nurse or be in criminal justice.
Thank you so much, and i am not sure if i will ever go back.
I just wanted to say that this is probably the most awesome thing I have read. I know people who are adopted. I know people who adopt. Most don’t seem to want to talk about it – what it’s like. (or maybe they just don’t want to talk to ME about it).
Anyway, I wanted to say that I, for one, appreciate the candor I read here. I wish your family the best.
Thanks for sharing, Shannon. It’s not an easy road, but it’s been a real blessing to me. My girls are two truly amazing young women!
Feel free to hang around…I’ll be happy to talk to you about it all you’re willing to listen! 😉