The speaker shares their personal story of immigrating to the United States from Russia at the age of 5. They recall their initial struggles with the language barrier, adapting to a new school, and experiencing bullying. However, they also share fond memories of their childhood, such as playing handball, learning taekwondo, and shopping at budget-friendly stores like Payless and 99 Cent Store. They express gratitude for their supportive family, who worked hard to make a new life in America. The speaker emphasizes the importance of hard work, wise choices, and perseverance in achieving success, and credits the United States as a land of opportunities. They conclude by promoting a separate video featuring their sister, who playfully roasts them.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker was born in Russia.
2. The speaker's family moved to the United States when the speaker was five years old.
3. The speaker's family came to the US on a refugee status visa.
4. The speaker's family had only 24 hours' notice to leave Russia.
5. The speaker's family settled in Brooklyn, New York.
6. The speaker's family lived in a one-bedroom apartment, with the parent's bedroom being the living room.
7. The speaker's parents did not speak English when they arrived in the US.
8. The speaker's sister spoke some English when they arrived in the US.
9. The speaker started school in the middle of first grade and did not speak English.
10. The speaker had a difficult time in school, especially with English, but excelled in math.
11. The speaker's mom was a math teacher in Russia.
12. The speaker's family was poor and lived in a rent-controlled apartment.
13. The speaker's family shopped at discount stores, such as Payless and the 99-cent store.
14. The speaker's dad went to medical school in the US, learning English as an adult.
15. The speaker started taking taekwondo lessons when they were younger.
16. The speaker's parents saved up to pay for the taekwondo lessons.
17. The speaker's grandparents picked them up from school from grades one to three.
18. The speaker started walking home from school alone when they were nine years old.
19. The speaker lived one to two blocks away from school.
20. The speaker's family came from Russia with very little.
21. The speaker's family had to work hard to achieve their goals in the US.