Upbringing Shapes Who You Are

I have very tightly knitted family that consists of my mother, father, sister and grandmother. Growing up my parents always taught me that your family members are the only ones that will be there no matter what. So far this has been the case and my parents continue to share their unconditional love towards me and my sister. Since we are so close my parents have been very influential in my life and are responsible for many of my successes. I was born in Saint Petersburg, Soviet Union and only after few years the country would break up into many separate countries. Growing up in Russia in the 90s was rough for many due to this metamorphosis. Large power vacuum was created in the aftermath of the breakup of USSR. My father was business man and my mother was stay at home mom. Life for us was good, but since my father was part of various business ownerships danger due to high criminal activity always lingered in the dark.

My mothers side of the family have all immigrated to the US and desired for us to join them as well. With my grandmothers surgery and poor economic state at that time, my parents decided that it would be best for us to come to the US. The process of immigration was difficult for my parents and grandmother but it also brought us even closer together. When we left Russia and came here we had each other and while we are living in the US we still continue to have each other as support group. Growing up in the US has definitely shaped my character and many of my beliefs. Many people that have been born here complain about various problems regarding the government, economy, etc.. However, they have not experienced living somewhere else where simple rights, beliefs and safety can bet taken away from you and threatened. Well I have lived outside of the country and experienced the other side. As result of this, I have become very patriotic of this country and what it stands for. Coming from country with government that is characterized by corruption and mafia, I always wondered if politics has different, 'good' side. I think this has been responsible for my interest in politics and my decision to major in political science here at the U. The fact that I attend U of MN is very much related to my parents great emphasis on education. From very young age, they told me that if I want to be somebody in this country I must work hard and go to school. However, I did not really understand that until I got older and was finished with high school. It was then that I realized that by continuing my education I would not only be benefiting my self but also doing this for all the hardships that my parents had to endure to raise me and get me to where I am now. I think having people in my life that cared and did things to make my life better has made me unselfish. My grand narrative has been shaped and formed by my loved ones and the experiences that life presented me with.