Pink headphones, a scrubby mustache, messy brown hair, and a small smile across his face.
Does he look foreign? Not at all. Does he sound foreign? Maybe a bit. Does he fit the average college student criteria? Absolutely.
At first glance, you would never guess that the native Russian had moved here not too long ago.
After spending a majority of his life trapped in boarding school, Sam, 24, took advantage of an acceptance letter to attend San Francisco state, live in the Golden City, and pursue the opportunity to make something more of himself.
“I had other options in Russia,” he said. “But everyone wants to go to America, and San Francisco is an interesting city.”
With America being the “land of opportunity,” Sam wanted to get out on his own more than anyone. In a short matter of time, he was flying from Russia to San Francisco, permanently.
Fast forward about four years. Go past the adjusting, the confusion, and the time spent learning the lingo of Californians. Three years of college down, one to go.
Majoring in business administration, Sam focuses on utilizing his strengths and weaknesses by challenging himself in his classes. Using his advancing knowledge of technical skills and math, he hopes to find a job in this area.
“The city became my home,” he said. “I am currently looking for a job here, and wish to continue living here.”
Then it hits him: his family, his friends, his home. “I miss my family a lot, especially because I live here alone. But it’s not the same in Russia anymore.”
Returning to Russia on one of few visits, Sam experienced a major culture shock. No smiles. No hellos. No friendly faces. “People there look emotionless. People here look welcoming.”
Luckily for Sam, San Francisco welcomes him with open arms. He meets up with his Russian friends on campus. “It’s comforting. We Russians find our way to each other and stay close.”
Independent, confident, and ready to take on whatever obstacle is thrown at him, Sam heads off to his next class with his head held high and smile on his face. He knows he has landed among few thousand other lucky foreigners in pursuit of following their dreams.
“It’s a privilege,” he says. “And I enjoy every second of it.”