Freshman Bykov celebrates one year in America

Written by: Mike Zimmerman on September 23, 2008 at 8:00 pm

“Vitaly, what does this mean?” newcomers and ESOL teacher Michael Hillis asked.

“It means um…well…um,” Bykov said in a thick Russian accent. “Wait, it is…never mind.”

“Okay, who can answer the question?” Hillis said. “Anyone?”

Sitting down in defeat and with his classmates laughing at him, Bykov looks down in embarrassment and tries not to think about when he speaks with an accent or broken English.

Because even though Bykov has lived in America for a year, he still faces challenges that are hard to overcome.

“Sometimes I am still afraid to open my mouth, but not that much,” Bykov said. “It is not because I cannot speak freely in Russia but because people make fun of my accent, so I think ‘Why am I saying? That was so dumb’.”

While Bykov said he has lots of those moments and does not like them, he is just grateful to be in America.

“I like it, and I am grateful to be here,” Bykov said. “In Russia I saw things on television about America, and I always thought ‘they have freedom, I want to move there’.”

And last April he was given the chance when his mother, Nadya, decided to marry Lufkin Industries employee Terry and move to America.

“My mom met Terry on the Internet a couple years ago,” Bykov said. “Then after he asked my mom to marry him, Terry came to Moscow for a little bit and then we moved to America because of his job.”

Now, Bykov can enjoy freedoms in America that he never could in Russia, such as leaving a state without paying for documents.

“I like that freedom to move around,” Bykov said. “For spring break, my family went to see the Grand Canyon and it was so beautiful my mom was speechless, but it was nice to not have to pay to cross state lines to get there.”

However, Bykov said there are other things he enjoys about America.

“Another thing I like about America is the people,” Bykov said. “They are much more open to talk about things and are friendlier here.”

Along with the people, Bykov likes the education system in America more than in Russia.

“Here I am in ninth grade, but in Russia I would be in seventh,” Bykov said. “In Russia we have chalkboards, windows in every classroom, plants, and one desk for two people, but in America the rooms are different, and I like that.”

Also, to conserve energy Russian classrooms only use a television and radio but no lights.

“At home we use electricity, but not at school except for in the evenings,” Bykov said. “Every room has windows, so there is no point in using electricity.”

Despite the differences between the countries, things like restaurants are still the same.

“We have KFC, McDonald’s, Friday’s, and things like that,” Bykov said. “Most Russians know English, but it is not the same that people speak here.”

While Bykov appreciates America and major fast food chains that are available, he said Russia is still his country and he will always love it.

“It is my country, and I miss it,” Bykov said. “Some people cannot see the beauty of Russia, but I do.”

According to Bykov, Russia has mountains, trees, monuments, tall buildings, and everything else a person could want.

“Not many tourists that come to Russia are European; only Americans, Asians, or Middle Easterns visit us,” Bykov said. “I guess other Europeans are proud and think Moscow is dirty, but to me Moscow’s famous buildings, skyscrapers, and monuments make it beautiful.”

Even though Bykov loves Russia, he said he plans to live in America.

“In two years I will be a citizen of both countries,” Bykov said. “I want to become a citizen of other countries as well, like Canada, but for now I will stay here.”

After he graduates high school, Bykov plans to attend Harvard because it is a luxury he could never have in Russia.

“In Russia there are poor and rich people, but in America you can become whatever you want no matter how much money you have,” Bykov said. “That is why I will go to Harvard and major in commercial business so I can be like my uncle who owns his own banner business in Khabarowesk.”

And it is students like Bykov who help create the melting pot America is, and his experiences should help Americans realize how blessed we are.

“In America all doors are open and people should realize that,” Bykov said. “We are all lucky to be here.”