Hello!
Seven years ago, when my husband and I first went to the «far» abroad, I literally fell ill with the idea of moving. Moreover, as it turned out, a certain amount of Jewish blood made it possible to start moving both to Israel and Germany.
A childhood friend who had long and firmly settled in Israel and considered me a landowner, convinced me that it was not only possible, but necessary, to move. And we started to prepare documents. Surprisingly, all the papers were straightened out quickly, and the Novosibirsk branch of the Sokhnut very actively undertook to help us, repatriation programs had already been selected …
But here in Syria, literally across Lake Kinneret from Israel, well-known events began. The parents were visibly upset. They categorically refused to go, although they could also, if they wished. I finally came to understand that, despite the large number of former compatriots in the country, this is still a different country with a different culture and religion.
The understanding also came that in the event of a move, we would be doomed to life in rented (and very modest) housing.
On the street of Jerusalem. Photo from personal archive. On the street of Jerusalem. Photo from personal archive.
And the work will be so-so … I was not ready with my honors diploma to wash dishes or carry pots for grandmothers. And they wouldn’t let me work in my specialty there.
It was also stopped by the fact that the eldest son and his family will remain in Russia (he does not meet the rules of repatriates), and we will see each other very rarely …
Reason One: Migrants Are Second-Class Citizens, Or Even Third-Class Citizens
And — yes, new repatriates are perceived in Israel, mainly as «come in large numbers.»
We saw the same thing, visiting friends in Germany. Friends have been living in the country for over 20 years. But for the Germans, they are still Russians. They are hired mainly for low-paid jobs. Russian diplomas are not quoted. Although it is far from a fact that German education provides deeper knowledge. Especially when compared with Soviet education.
Our friends said that some native Germans even forbade their children to play and be friends with the children of immigrants from Russia. Although Russian migrants did their best to assimilate with the local population. Even with children, they communicated exclusively in German and did not teach Russian. Yes, it’s true: in many families of «Russian Germans» children do not know how to speak Russian, but understand — barely. But that doesn’t help either. Anyway, migrants are second class.
If two people with the same education, qualifications and experience apply for a job, naturally, the employer will accept “his own”. And if a migrant, then they will pay less …
I think it’s stupid to go to a place where you will be treated like a second-class person. Well, if not the third. And to your children too. Here are the grandchildren, those, perhaps, are already assimilated enough.
The second reason is material.
We love to count other people’s money, especially income. In Germany, such and such salaries and pensions, and in the US — in general, stunned, what! And in Denmark! And in Sweden! And in Finland!
But somehow it is not customary to consider expenses, to take into account the amount of taxes. If we compare the income of foreign citizens and their expenses, then the bottom line will not be so much money. The average citizen there lives about the same as the average citizen in our country. There may be more money in terms of Euro-dollars, but they provide about the same standard of living.
But abroad, people have a different attitude to money than ours. I do not know why. Probably a different mentality. There people are more prudent and economical. They count money better than us, so they have enough for everything. They save something, pay into pension funds… Most of our compatriots spend money as if they were living the last day. And they are completely incapable of resisting temptations. And they love to splurge, acquiring «status» things. All in debt as if in silk, in leatherette shoes, half-starved, but with an iPhone and a car «from the salon» — this is our guy …
Yes, many of those who have left boast that they have so-and-so, and say how wonderfully they are settled. And what is left for them? Well you got a job or so-so — often there is nothing to fix. So they say it’s good. And how is it really … It would really be so cool — they wouldn’t sit in the Russian-language Zen, they wouldn’t scribble articles for a little money.
My friend left for Germany around 2003-2004. At first he seemed to be pleased. And recently we talked, said that everything is not just complicated, but very complicated and ambiguous. He does not rule out that he will return … In 2014, when our ruble fell once again, this friend changed the euro and quite profitably bought a small apartment in Novosibirsk. This is saying something…
So the foreign life is not so sweet and rich. You need to be able to distinguish tourism from emigration, as the good old joke says.
The third reason is the language barrier, social circle, culture, mentality…
It is important. You don’t feel it, you don’t give a damn about it while you are visiting the country. If you live a month or two or three — also normal. But to live permanently in a foreign culture is very difficult. Even if you live in the country for 10, 20 years, you will most likely think in your native language. And you will tell jokes — in your native language. In a word, you will feel like a tree with cut roots. I didn’t invent it. I saw it with my own eyes when I visited Israel and Europe several times.
It is easier for those who moved with the whole large family, clan: fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, grandfathers and grandmothers. They communicate mainly within the clan. If you move alone or only with your small family, it is extremely difficult.
I had the opportunity to move. But we changed our minds. And I think they did the right thing. It just seems that somewhere life is easier and sweeter. It seems — until you plunge into it.
Well, to believe or not to believe in the sweet stories of those who moved about a comfortable life abroad — everyone decides for himself.
I will be glad to adequate comments! I beg you — no «profanity».
