Celebrating International Women’s Day
With Women Right Here in the Lowcountry
March 2024 Issue
Celebrating International Women's Day
March 8 is International Women’s Day. It is a day to celebrate women and their achievements, to educate and raise awareness for women’s equality, and to call for positive change in advancing women. This is a global initiative for all women on every continent and in every country.
We are fortunate to have a large number of international women residents, from other countries, living and thriving in the Lowcountry. To celebrate International Women’s Day here at home, we reached out to some international friends to get their insight into what it’s like to leave their home country, often times leaving close family members behind, and move to America. This is what International Women’s Day is all about, not only having a voice, but having it heard.
Katia
46 | From: Russia | Years in America: 31 years
What was your perception of America before moving here? Has it lived up to your expectations?
It is as I imagined, because as a child, I watched a lot of American movies. It lived up to my expectations and more.
What do you love most about living in America?
The people. Not every culture is as receptive of immigrants as people in America. Also, I live on Hilton Head Island; it’s one of the most beautiful places I have lived since moving to the US.
Virga
50 | From: Lithuania | Years in America: 29
What was the biggest sacrifice you made to come to America?
Leave my friends and family.
What do you love most about living in America?
Everything I like about America. And my friends.
Nivia
60 | From: Panama | Years in America: 39
What is the most positive thing that has happened to you since moving to America?
Learning the language and being able to communicate with people from everywhere. The US is the land of opportunities. I have the freedom to do what I want, when I want.
How do American men compare to the men in Panama?
Panamanian men are confident, very passionate, and very protective. They are unabashed; they will sweep a woman off her feet. They are also laid back in everything they do compared to our way of life here. We put work first—work, work, work.
Domi
29 | From: Czech Republic | Years in America: 6
What is the biggest difference between America and where you are from?
A culinary divergence defines the contrast between America and my homeland, the Czech Republic. In Czech, culinary experiences are characterized by freshness, minimal processing, and an absence of corn syrup. Restaurants embrace the art of cooking from scratch, steering clear of the oversized portions typical in America.
What is the most positive thing that has happened to you since moving to America?
Since my move to America, I've embraced diverse cultures and accumulated a wealth of life experiences. The most uplifting outcome has been the serendipitous encounter with my life partner.
What do you love most about living in America?
At the heart of my love for living in the USA is the allure of limitless opportunities.
Bahar
44 | From: Iran | Years in America: 22
What was the biggest sacrifice you made to come to America?
Leaving my family and friends behind.
What is the most positive thing that has happened to you since moving to America?
I have gained my confidence. I’m happy about who and what I am.
What do you love most about living in America?
Having freedom! Here I have rights that allow me to make my own decisions. The quality of life and opportunities here are abundant.
Having lived in a different culture than America, what is one thing you would you like to tell Americans or for Americans to understand?
Freedom is not free! The accomplishment of your dreams will demand big sacrifices and hard work. Don’t take any of it for granted.
Sonia
63 | From: Belgium | Year in America: 37
What was the biggest sacrifice you made to come to America?
I came here on vacation, and as strange as it sounds, I immediately felt I belonged here, this was home. I was so happy to move to America that nothing felt like a sacrifice.
What was your perception of America before moving here? Has it lived up to your expectations?
Growing up in Europe, the perception that was everything was bigger and better in America, the land of opportunity. Until a few years ago, it did live up to— and even exceeded—my expectations.
Having lived in a different culture than America, what is one thing you would you like to tell Americans or for Americans to understand?
Most Americans don’t realize how wonderful this country is, and they need to go back to the “old-fashioned” values. The country is changing into a society we soon won’t recognize.
Tati
41 | From: Belarus | Years in America: 21
What was the biggest sacrifice you made to come to America?
Leaving my family and not finishing my prestigious education
What opportunities have you found in America that you would not have had in your country?
The Opportunity to make money, buy a house, and travel.
Having lived in a different culture than America, what is one thing you would you like to tell Americans or for Americans to understand?
Not everyone in the world is supposed to speak English.
Puneeta
44 | From: India | Years in America: 23
What is the biggest difference between America and where you are from?
I am from New Delhi, India. Even though I grew up in a metropolitan city, I feel the biggest difference between America and India is that a woman gets an opportunity to establish herself better in America. There is more freedom and more value of humans here.
What do you love most about living in America?
My Freedom and my two precious kids whom I can raise well in America, besides being a single mom.
Egle
40-ish | From: Lithuania | Years in America: 20
What is the most positive thing that has happened to you since moving to America?
I met my husband, who is American but has Lithuanian roots, and we have two beautiful children.
How do American men compare to the men where you are up?
Lithuanian men who are around my age dress better and have better
manners compared to American men. (I can’t speak for the younger generation.) But at the same time, Lithuanian men are very spoiled by women.
What was your perception of America before moving here? Has it lived up to your expectations?
That all your dreams can come true in this country…some of them have!
Having lived in a different culture than America, what is one thing you would you like to tell Americans or for Americans to understand?
Most Americans don’t understand how good they still have it here and take this country for granted. You can’t change the past, but you can definitely make a better future. So don't ruin this country!
Natasa
46 | From: Macedonia | Years in America: 25
What is the biggest difference between America and where you are from?
The biggest difference between Macedonia and USA is the quality of life and opportunities to chase your dreams
What is the most positive thing that has happened to you since moving to America?
Meeting the great love of my life
How do American men compare to the men where you are up?
No comparison! American men are real gentlemen and know how to treat a lady.
What opportunities have you found in America that you would not have had in your country?
Education and career opportunities
What was your perception of America before moving here? Has it lived up to your expectations?
It has exceeded my every expectation.
Having lived in a different culture than America, what is one thing you would you like to tell Americans or for Americans to understand?
How blessed they are to live in the best place on earth.
Helena
79 | From: England | Years in America: 58
What do you love most about living in America?
Freedom to do anything without “Oh, but we don’t do that here.” Fifty-eight years ago, a woman found it very difficult to obtain a divorce in Britain. Here, university is for everyone, and there are no limits except for brains and money. Women can do anything they want, even fight in the military, even though there are physical and age limits. Immigrants do well here if they are prepared to work hard. I believe there is still an opportunity to excel.
Having lived in a different culture than America, what is one thing you would you like to tell Americans or for Americans to understand?
When abroad, do not start to speak louder if the recipient doesn’t understand you, and please enjoy the customs of the foreign country without trying to make it a “mini-America”. Learn the language! Remember why you decided to travel. Never ridicule. Try to learn a few customs and to be grateful for the differences. Eat the local food, you might enjoy it. And remember certain gestures are inappropriate and downright offensive. America cannot fix the world and should not dictate to other countries their ideas.
Michelle
59 | From: England | Years in America: 41
What is the biggest difference between America and where you are from?
Everything is bigger in America—ideas, cars, highways, refrigerators and especially plates and serving sizes. A favorite memory is when I took my American teenage son back to my hometown in Nottingham, England, in 2004. One Sunday morning, my dad prepared breakfast for our family and placed it on a serving dish on the kitchen table. Dad invited my 17-year-old to eat while he stepped away for a few minutes. My son ate as a typical American teenage boy and left the serving plate clean! My dad returned and was stunned! My son seeing his reaction apologized by saying, “Sorry, Granddad, I thought it was a like Country Boy Big breakfast like they have at the Cracker Barrel!” LOL.
What do you love most about living in America?
It is the land of possibility. This country offers hope and more possibilities than any place on earth. We may not be perfect at times, but we certainly are a nation that is willing to grow and learn from past mistakes. I feel privileged to live here. When anyone asks me how I feel about this country, I simply respond, “Do you see anybody lining up trying to leave?”