How I fulfilled my dream of living in America: a story of moving and adapting

The dream of living in America

Since childhood, I have had a strong desire to live in America. In September 2014, I fulfilled my dream and moved to the United States, and soon I will celebrate the fifth anniversary of my life in the country I have dreamed of since my youth.

The emergence of interest

My curiosity about America began in seventh grade, even though at that time I didn't have enough information about the country. Despite this, the thought of living across the ocean never left my mind, and even when I was planning to continue my studies in Moscow, I was sure it was just a temporary situation.

I can't say that life in the capital was bad for me; I just always envisioned my future far beyond the borders of Russia, dreaming of life abroad since I was little.

Desire to move

For many years, my dream of living in another country seemed almost unattainable, but I made every effort to make it a reality. When choosing a university, one of the key aspects for me was the opportunity for study abroad, and I was able to achieve that dream.

• In my third year, I spent several months in Finland.
• After finishing my studies, I managed to get a job.

Having a degree, I landed a good position, but that didn't keep me in one place — I realized that now, when I have neither a family nor children, I have the chance to move to the States and start a new life.

Moving tips

For those considering a move, you shouldn't repeat my experience. I worked in the dance industry in Moscow for years and made many valuable connections, but in America, I didn't have a single contact.

Nevertheless, I decided to move forward and started looking for dancers through social media, especially on Facebook, adding friends and trying to establish new connections.

Important acquaintance

One of the important acquaintances happened with a dancer from New York: our meeting was facilitated by my first trip to Los Angeles in April 2014. I shared my plans about moving with him, and he offered me temporary housing until I found an apartment.

Support during termination

Without much hesitation, I accepted his offer. After returning to Los Angeles, I met with the director of the dance studio where I worked and informed them of my intention to resign and move to the United States.

The dismissal went smoothly, without conflicts, and my boss even expressedsupportHe advised me to think everything over carefully and come back if life in America turns out to be too difficult. He also suggested keeping a spot for me in the studio, but as you can understand, that didn't happen.

Preparation for moving

In the end, I got a tourist visa and bought a one-way ticket. I only had 700 dollars left in my wallet, and I didn't have anyone in the States except for an acquaintance who offered temporary housing.

Now, looking back on it, I realize that the step was risky, but at that time my mind was filled only with thoughts of a new life in another country. This aspiration and desire inspired me to take this risky step, and that was enough to venture into the unknown.

Advantages and challenges of moving

Moving to another country is an extremely serious step, and doing it without prior preparation can be very unwise. Topics related to investments, immigration, and real estate play a crucial role in the process of settling in a new place. These subjects should be discussed on specialized platforms, such as a channel on Telegram.

My experience of adaptation

When I arrived in the United States, I didn't have the right to work legally. I spent the first few weeks in New Jersey with an acquaintance and commuted to work in New York every day, which took me a whole four hours during the day. This schedule turned out to be very exhausting, and when my employer offered me to move in with him, I gladly agreed.

Although the salary was modest due to the lack of official status, the absence of housing expenses significantly eased my situation. I can't say that I felt comfortable among people I wasn't close to, but I am grateful for the opportunity provided.

Searching for a new place to live

Having spent just a few weeks there, I decided to change my place of residence. It should be noted that, as a holder of a tourist visa, I was not allowed to engage in official work, but I always tried to adhere to the law, which was the most important criterion for me.

During this time, I was able to attend a dance competition in San Francisco, which opened up access to many useful contacts for me. As a result, I received three job offers from the owners of dance organizations who appreciated my reputation and recommendations from Russia. Interestingly, the people in a similar situation were well acquainted with my Moscow employer and trusted his opinion about my diligence.

Advantages of informal work

One of the factors that made me a desirable candidate was that, as someone working unofficially, it was easier for me to find a job. Employers were willing to pay me less than other applicants. In the end, I chose a job where I found my true community, which may seem somewhat exaggerated.

I still highly value my colleagues and the atmosphere in the team, where I managed to earn well despite my status. Before fully transitioning to a new job, I needed to leave my previous employer's accommodation. The problem was that finding a place to live turned out to be a challenging task.

Credit history in the USA

In the United States, credit history is a significant criterion that affects interactions with various institutions, especially banking organizations. The credit score, which is formed based on financial reliability, requires careful development and maintenance at a high level.

However, it is difficult to maintain this story if you do not have the necessary documents. This system can pose a real barrier to successful employment and settling in a new country. Therefore, a strategic approach to credit issues and building a reliable credit history becomes extremely important for achieving success in a new place.

Creating a credit history

To start building your credit history, it's important to aim for a high credit rating, also known as a credit score. Achieving this goal is possible by having at least two credit cards and regularly paying off all debts on time, without any delays.

Credit rating assessment

In the USA, credit ratings are assessed by specialized agencies. The process of creating a credit history involves several steps:

• First of all, you should contact the bank to obtain a secured credit card, known as a secure credit card.
• To do this, you need to deposit a certain amount into the bank, for example, three hundred dollars, and request to open a credit card.
• The bank opens a credit account for the specified funds, after which the card becomes available for use just like a regular credit card.

Using a credit card

The user can spend these funds, but it is crucial that the amount is returned to the account within a month. Delays in payments may signal to the bank potential issues with the client's creditworthiness. Conversely, if payments are made on time, the bank views such a client as reliable and responsible borrower.

Tracking customer behavior

For six months to a year, the bank closely monitors the client's behavior. After that, the actual amount deposited into the account is returned to the client, while the funds on the credit card are now provided by the bank. Thus, instead of a secured card, the client receives a regular credit card.

Increase of credit limit

At the same time as systematically paying off the debt, the limit on this card can increase. For example:

• If the initial limit was three hundred dollars, the bank may increase it over time to five hundred or even one thousand dollars.

The higher the limit, the more positive the credit history becomes.

Necessary documents

It is important to mention that in order to start building a credit history, a person must have all the necessary documents. In cases where, for example, only a tourist visa is available, obtaining credit would be difficult, as working without a work permit is not possible, and therefore, there is no question of having a credit rating.

Opening a credit card with a Visa.

Getting a credit card with a tourist visa is extremely difficult; however, if you have a student visa, it will be much easier to open a secured credit card.

Personal experience

When I arrived in the USA, I had no credit history, and as a result, finding an apartment was quite difficult. Fortunately, I got lucky because I met a girl who was also looking for a place to live.

We found ourselves in a similar situation: she arrived in America just a few weeks earlier and was temporarily living with acquaintances. Her stay was about to expire, and she urgently needed her own place to live.

I need a guarantor.

Since neither of us had any documents or credit history, we needed a reliable person who could act as a guarantor for renting an apartment. We started looking for solutions to this problem, realizing that it would be very difficult to find housing without a trustworthy person in our circle.

In this situation, a Russian girl who had moved from Florida to New York came to my aid, and she already had all the necessary documents for renting a place.

The path to a dream

Life in America is not just a dream; it's a journey filled with unique challenges and opportunities. I have always envisioned myself in this country, and every step I took was aimed at making that dream a reality. In September 2014, I moved to the States with minimal resources and no clear strategy. Yes, it wasreckless act— to leave for the unknown and take a risk, leaving behind my familiar life, but I felt that this was my chance, and I couldn't let it slip away.

Job search and networking

My journey began with an active search for work in the dance industry. I had no support, but I didn't know any other way. The main thing was my passion and thirst for development. The first weeks of living in New Jersey were not easy. I traveled to New York, delved into the intricacies of immigration, and at the same time searched for my destiny in dance. I kept asking myself the question:“Why am I here?”And every time I found the answer — this is what I truly want, and I am ready to fight for it.

Communication and networking

Working in dance studios turned out to be unexpectedly amazing — I quickly found people with whom I formed strong connections, and this became the foundation for a successful career. I understand how important it isnetworking— the ability to connect with people and build relationships based on trust. With each new acquaintance, I became more and more aware that I had every chance of success.

Overcoming difficulties

However, after a while, I faced the reality — it’s hard to find a job with a tourist visa and no credit history. This aspect of life in the USA was a real challenge for me. All my plans and dreams were met with a situation where every step required careful consideration and extra effort. But I didn’t give up because I knew that my hard work and persistence would eventually pay off.

New life and success

Moving to the USA is not just a relocation from one point to another; it's a complete reboot of life. I found a new home, a new family, and the opportunity to grow as a person and a professional in my field. I learned to appreciate every moment, every step I took. Now, looking back, I see that without the challenges I faced, I wouldn't be who I am today.

To summarize

I have come a long way—a journey filled with obstacles and amazing discoveries. I have learned to believe in myself, to seek opportunities when they seemed closed off. I have a dream, and I am pursuing it, no matter what. I urge everyone to follow their dreams, to be brave, and not to be afraid to change their destiny. Just remember that behind every success lies:

• Five years of work
• Risk
• Continuous striving for one's ideal

Don't be afraid to dream and take action — everything is possible if you believe in your dream and are ready to work hard!