The speaker shares their personal story of immigrating to the United States from Russia at the age of five. They recall the challenges of adjusting to a new country, not speaking the language, and struggling in school. However, with the support of their family, particularly their sister who spoke some English, and the help of two Russian-English speaking twins in their class, they were able to navigate these difficulties.
The speaker also talks about their childhood in a one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, where they shared a small room with their sister, and their parents slept in the living room. Despite the financial struggles, their parents encouraged them to participate in after-school activities, such as Taekwondo, which became a source of bonding with their father.
The speaker fondly remembers exploring their neighborhood, visiting stores like "Nobody Beats the Wiz" and the 99 Cent Store, and enjoying Brooklyn pizza. They emphasize that their experiences, although humble, were not perceived as such at the time, but rather as exciting opportunities.
The speaker's message is one of gratitude for the opportunities available in the United States and the importance of hard work and perseverance in achieving success. They emphasize that their success was not a result of wealth or privilege, but rather the support of their family and their own efforts.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker was born in Russia.
2. At the age of five, the speaker's parents told him they would be moving to the United States.
3. The speaker's family had only 24 hours' notice to inform their closest friends of their departure.
4. The speaker's family moved to the United States on a refugee status visa.
5. The speaker's family came to the United States to have a better life.
6. The speaker's first flight was from Russia to the United States.
7. The speaker's parents did not speak English when they arrived in the United States.
8. The speaker's sister spoke some English when they arrived in the United States.
9. The speaker's family settled in Brooklyn, New York.
10. The speaker attended school in Brooklyn and was in the first grade when he arrived in the United States.
11. The speaker did not speak English when he started school and relied on two classmates, Rita and Rosa, to translate for him.
12. The speaker's mother was a math teacher in Russia and taught the speaker math skills from a young age.
13. The speaker's family lived in a one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn.
14. The speaker's parents attended medical school and worked hard to provide for their family.
15. The speaker's family shopped at discount stores, including the 99 Cent Store and Payless Shoes.
16. The speaker's favorite pizza place was Sal's Pizzeria in Brooklyn.
17. The speaker started taking Taekwondo lessons when he was younger.
18. The speaker's father took him to watch Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls play basketball.
19. The speaker's family had to work hard to make ends meet and faced financial struggles.
20. The speaker believes that the United States offers many opportunities for success, but it requires hard work and smart choices.