Last summer, doctoral student Viktoryia Sliaptsova from the Department of Sociology and Social Sciences, embarked on a pivotal study titled, “New ‘Americans’ in Florida: Culture Shock, Emotions, and Identity Dilemmas of Newcomer Immigrants and Refugees from Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine." Sponsored by the Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center, this research aims to uncover the intricate process of adaptation and identity negotiation faced by newly arrived immigrants and refugees as they begin their lives in Florida.
New Beginnings, Ongoing Challenges
The origins of this research are deeply rooted in the political and social upheavals that have marked recent years in Eastern Europe. After the attempted revolution in Belarus in 2020 and the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022, there has been a significant increase in immigration from these regions to the United States. These events have triggered a wave of migration, driven by political repression, fear of persecution, and the desire for safety and stability.
In Belarus, the regime of President Aliaksandr Lukashenka has escalated political repression to unprecedented levels, reviving collective traumas from the Stalinist era. Sociologists, including American-Belarusian Elena Gapova, have noted that this new wave of Belarusian immigrants largely consists of urban Russian-speaking intelligentsia, teachers, university professors, and IT professionals—those who were deeply involved in the protests against the regime (Gapova, 2021).
Similarly, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 led to mass displacement, with millions fleeing the violence and destruction. Russian immigrants also face significant stigma due to the association with the ongoing conflict, often leading them to conceal their national identity to avoid discrimination (Klvaňová, 2019). Ukrainian refugees, who have fled the war to save their lives, often view their stay in the U.S. as temporary, which complicates their full integration into American society.
Stories of Survival: Insights from the Study
Over the course of the research, Viktoryia Sliaptsova conducted 20 in-depth interviews with immigrants and refugees from Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. These conversations revealed a wide range of personal experiences that highlight the complexities of adaptation and identity among this diverse group.
Among the interviews, one of the most compelling stories came from Maria (a pseudonym), a Belarusian woman who fled her homeland after enduring severe political persecution. Maria was actively involved in protests against the Lukashenka regime, which led to her being targeted by the authorities. Her activism made her a marked person, and the threats against her intensified to the point where she was detained and even taken to a forest outside of Minsk in the middle of the night by KGB agents. This act of intimidation, while not physically violent, was meant to instill fear and silence her opposition to the regime. Realizing the grave danger she was in, Maria made the difficult decision to leave Belarus and seek asylum in the United States. Her story highlights the extreme risks faced by those who oppose authoritarian regimes and the harrowing journey of seeking safety in a foreign land.
Another story is that of Anton, an IT specialist from Russia, who fled his country under the looming threat of military conscription. Anton had just won a green card when the war began, and the fear of being drafted into the army pushed him to leave everything behind and immigrate to the U.S. He was deeply concerned about the possibility of being forced to participate in a conflict he did not support. Anton’s decision to start anew in Florida reflects the difficult choices faced by those Russian professionals who chose to leave their country in opposition to the government’s stance and the invasion of Ukraine.
A Tale of Two Worlds: The Ukrainian Refugee Experience
One particularly poignant interview involved a Ukrainian refugee couple who lost everything during the war—their home was destroyed by bombing, leaving them with no choice but to seek refuge in the United States. This couple provided deep insights into the cultural challenges they faced upon arrival. They discussed the significant differences between the collective-oriented culture of Ukraine and the more individualistic society they encountered in the U.S. These cultural differences were particularly challenging in how they approached family dynamics and social norms.
The couple explained that in Ukraine, family and community are central to daily life, with extended family members playing an active role in raising children and providing support. In the U.S., they found that the emphasis on individualism often led to more independent family structures, where personal independence is highly valued, and family interactions are less frequent. This shift was difficult for them to adjust to, especially as they tried to rebuild their lives and raise their children in a new cultural context.
Despite these challenges, the couple also recognized the opportunities that life in the U.S. offered, such as personal freedom and the chance to create a new, self-determined future. Their story underscores the complex process of cultural adaptation and the ongoing negotiation of identity in a foreign land.
Building Bridges: The Role of Community Support
One of the key findings from this study is the importance of community support and social networks in helping immigrants and refugees adapt to life in Florida. Many participants emphasized the critical role of programs like those offered by NicerFL, which not only provide practical assistance—such as language tutoring and employment guidance—but also foster a sense of belonging and community.
Victoria, for example, noted that the connections she made through these programs were instrumental in overcoming her initial cultural shock and feelings of isolation. Similarly, Natalya found a strong support system among other Ukrainian refugees, which helped her navigate the complexities of starting a business while dealing with the emotional challenges of being far from home.
However, not all experiences were positive. Kristina, another participant, shared her frustration with the lack of understanding from local communities about the unique struggles faced by refugees. She recalled instances where locals would ask if she planned to return to Ukraine after the war, reflecting a lack of empathy and awareness of the deep scars left by the conflict. Such interactions underscore the ongoing challenges of being a refugee in a foreign land.
Conclusion
While the analysis of these interviews is still in progress, several significant findings have already emerged. These insights offer a deeper understanding of the cross-cultural challenges and emotional resilience required for successful adaptation. The ongoing research will continue to uncover how these immigrants and refugees navigate their new lives in Florida, providing valuable guidance for developing more effective support systems and policies.
The “New ‘Americans’ in Florida” project provides a critical insight into the challenges and successes of immigrants and refugees from Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine as they navigate their new lives in Florida. Their stories offer a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between identity, cultural adaptation, and emotional resilience.
As Florida continues to serve as a refuge for those escaping political repression and conflict, it is vital that we continue to study and support the unique needs of these communities. The lessons learned from this research will inform future efforts to create more supportive, inclusive, and empathetic environments for all new Americans, ensuring that they not only survive but thrive in their new homeland.
References
GAPOVA, E. 2021. Class, Agency, and Citizenship in Belarusian Protest. Slavic Review, 80(1), 45–51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/slr.2021.21
Klvaňová, R. 2018. ‘The Russians are back’: Symbolic boundaries and cultural trauma in immigration from the former Soviet Union to the Czech Republic. Ethnicities, 19(1), 136–155. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468796817752740