In today's segment of New American Voices you'll hear five students, all immigrants from Serbia, share their impressions of life in the United States.
That is what Yugoslav student Dejan Kojoch expected when he came to the United States as the son of a Yugoslav diplomat. But as might be expected, he learned that you can't always believe what you see in the movies.
When war broke out in his homeland, Dejan decided to stay in America and pursue his education. Just recently, he received his degree in computer science, and he found a job. Arriving as a diplomat's child, Dejan had many advantages over most immigrants. But, along the way, did he experience any obstacles or disappointments?
Eventually, Dejan hopes to earn enough so that his wife can stay home and take care of the children. He says he hopes to stay in this country, have many kids, and be very happy. His compatriot Slavko Bradich, on the other hand, wants one day to return to Serbia and apply there the fruits of his American education. Slavko's ticket to the United States was his skill in basketball.
But Slavko also found life in America was not quite as he had expected as a boy in Belgrade.
These days, Slavko Bradich is also studying computers, and working part-time in a computer company. His goal is to earn a doctorate in Business Administration and then, maybe, return to Belgrade. Another student basketball player from Serbia is Vesna Perak, who received a scholarship from George Washington University here in Washington.
Music student Sanja Petrichich, at Oberlin College in Ohio, had a similar experience.
While any new immigrant will face difficulties, one young Serb who came to the United States to study music loved the whole experience. Piano player Vladimir Valkarevich studies at Mannes College of Music in New York City.
Five young immigrants from Serbia, five experiences as students in the United States. Next week we'll talk about the programs a local high school offers its immigrant students to help them adjust to America.