Aleksandr

1. Where are you from?

I’m from Russia — from the southwest of Siberia, a city called Tyumen.

2. How long have you been in the USA?

I’ve been in the U.S. for over two years.

3. What do you feel — where is your home now? Or what is your home now?

After living here for more than two years, I know one thing for certain: my home is in Tyumen. And I believe it always will be.

4. If you feel that the USA has become your home, how long did it take to feel that way? Did you do anything to help make it feel like home, or did the feeling come naturally over time?

I’ve grown more accustomed to life in America. I think I’ve started to understand it — as much as one can. But I’m afraid it will never feel like home.

5. What helps you feel at home in a new place?

Familiar things help — cooking Russian food, rereading favorite books, speaking my native language. There are many Russian-speaking people in Fort Collins, and that gives a small sense of connection. It’s not the same as home, but these little things create some comfort.

6. Has your sense of home changed over time? What does “home” mean to you now, after moving to a new country?

My sense of home hasn’t changed — it has become clearer and more vivid. When you’re home, many things feel natural, almost invisible. But once they’re gone, you realize they were there all along — and just how much they meant to you.

7. Who or what makes you feel like you belong somewhere? Why?

Family, first and foremost. The people who have always been part of my life. But also the nature, the landscapes, the air, the rhythm of life that I grew up with. And the cultural codes — language, humor, traditions — that feel native to me.

8. Do you think it’s possible to have more than one home? Why or why not?

I believe it’s possible to have more than one home. But in my case, unfortunately, America will never become a second home for me.

9. What advice would you give to someone who is trying to feel at home in a new country?

Don’t try to find a new home right away. Just try to understand the country you’re in. Understanding comes first — the feeling might follow, or it might not. And that’s okay.

10. How do you write the word “home” in your native language using Latin letters?

Dom