Aisulu Perez, 28 years old, hometown — Astana, immigration specialist
Astana — Miami
Before moving to the United States, I lived in Astana and worked as a senior specialist in the subordinate organization of the Ministry of Defense JSC «Kazakhstan GIS Center».
My husband is a U.S. marine. He came to Astana on duty, where we met. We had a long and beautiful love story. At first, I rejected him, then we dated for a month and a half in Astana, two more years at a distance. As a result, I came to Miami, where I met his family, we had a wedding in Astana and moved to the United States.
About difficulties and first impressions
At first, I was in euphoria — beaches, the sun, parties, salsa, music. It was as a longtime vacation.
At first, I was in euphoria — beaches, the sun, parties, salsa, music
Difficulties arose later when I started to miss my family and friends. Euphoria has passed and I started to realize.
About life in the US
Miami is a city that wakes up at night. Most of the population is Latin Americans, so there is always music, dancing on every corner and Spanish language. And people here talk loudly, I still get used to it.
The main difference between life in the US and life in Kazakhstan is that regardless of your type of activity you earn the way you work. Each overworked minute paid. You can't sit for an hour at work. If you work, then completely devoted to work, free minute only at lunchtime.
I'm surprised that in Miami people rarely eats at home and goes to restaurants or orders food.
The standards of living here are much higher. Almost every American can afford to rest abroad at least once a year. You can definitely save up money within ten years for your own house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Salaries usually paid every two weeks or once a month as an exception.
Almost every American can afford to rest abroad at least once a year
But there is no paid leave, bonuses for the New Year or other holidays and no payments for childcare.
Medicine is insanely expensive. There was a time when we had to go to the ambulance. We were there for 2 hours and got a $7,000 bill. I did not have insurance at that time, so it is not profitable to be sick here.
About work
In the USA it is easy to find a job. But the competition is high. You have to wait a few months for your candidacy to be considered.
Recently I became a mother, and we have a nine-month-old daughter Mia. I also work at Connexus Consulting Group LTD. I engaged with immigration business, collect and prepare documents to USCIS.
You need to understand that you will have to start from scratch when you move to another country. No one will wait for you with open arms.
I realized that you can learn everything in a short time. The main thing is not to be lazy.