People write to us... “To everyone who is unsure whether to move or not, I want to tell my story”

People write to us...

To everyone who is unsure whether to move or not, I want to tell my story.
A year ago, I moved to Stavropol. From Almaty. Of course, there were difficulties at first: registration, finding housing. I came on my own, without much financial cushion. I have three children, I am divorced and raising them alone. I relied mainly on my income from working online.
And here is what happened over the past year. My eldest son finished eleventh grade, did well on the Unified State Exam and enrolled in a state-funded place at one of the best universities in the country—the Saint Petersburg Mining University. He prepared intensively all year, and his hard work paid off. 
My eldest daughter finished ninth grade and enrolled in college as a fee-paying student. But as a mother of many children, I can get 50% of the cost reimbursed, so tuition for the year will come to about 40 thousand rubles. I think that is quite an affordable amount for college.
My youngest daughter goes to kindergarten. I pay 2200 rubles a month, and every three months the municipality reimburses me for part of the fee. The kindergarten provides five meals a day, and the children are there from seven in the morning until seven in the evening. The older groups have a swimming pool, and children can also take dance classes. Events and activities are held all the time. My child is not simply looked after—she learns, develops, socializes, and receives nutritious meals.
I work online for a Russian company and earn around one hundred thousand rubles a month. That is enough to pay for rent, my loan, groceries, and other necessary expenses. Of course, I have to work and manage my energy, but even with three children, I manage on my own.
Yes, I received no relocation grant. Nobody supported me, and I did not receive significant financial assistance when I moved either. But I realized one important thing: if you make an effort here, work, and keep moving forward, you have the opportunity to build a life for yourself.
Russia does not welcome you with a promise that you can do nothing and live on benefits. You have to work here. But if you are an intelligent, educated person who wants to develop and is ready to make an effort, you are given that opportunity. That is the most important thing for me.
I have acquaintances who live in Europe and receive benefits. For example, my friend in Norway receives support for her four children. But at the same time, it is very difficult for her to fully integrate into society and find a job, even though she has two degrees. Many migrants there socialize only within their small communities and still do not feel part of society.
I have also been to Germany and seen how some kindergartens there are organized. Children are there only until lunchtime, they bring their own food, and there may not be proper meals or as many activities as we have. At the same time, it can be very expensive for a family.
So, personally, I see many advantages to living in Russia. There is accessible education, state-funded university places, inexpensive kindergartens, support for large families, and opportunities to work and develop.
So, to those who are unsure and afraid to move, I want to say: there is no need to be afraid. Of course, nobody promises that everything will be easy right away. You have to work, make an effort, and keep moving forward. But if you truly want it, a lot will certainly work out.