IMAGE / Jenna Robinson
Sophomore Alex Khait emigrated from Belarus, which borders Russia’s western edge.
Alex Khait hopes to achieve the ‘American Dream’
“I came to America because of the American Dream. I wanted to be someone,” sophomore Alex Khait said.
Khait and his family immigrated to America from Mosty, Belarus (pronounced bell-a-rooss).
The national flag of Belarus is a red and green flag with a white and red ornament pattern placed at the staff end. It was adopted in 1995.
Khait explained that every family member whom he left behind had a college degree, but a degree in Belarus does not go as far as a degree in America.
For instance, Khait said he probably would not have been able to use a degree if he earned one in Belarus.
“I would go to college to learn in the medical field and would just end up working as a cab driver (if I was in Belarus),” Khait said.
In Belarus, Khait said people don’t have the same opportunities available to them as they do in America.
“It’s the thought that I could be someone better here,” Khait said.
Khait came to Flint the first time with his brother when he was 11, but only stayed for a short time, moving back to Belarus when he was 12. The second time Khait came, he was joined by his brother and sister. The three of them have been in the United States ever since.
Alex Khait (center) poses with sophomore Hunter May (left), and sophomore Dustin Bennett, his friends at Kearsley.
Khait said his family moved to Flint because they have relatives who have lived here for almost 20 years. Khait and his siblings currently live with their grandparents.
Although he spoke English before moving, there was a learning curve.
“I spoke almost fluent language,” Khait said. “However, the slang was tough to learn.”
What scared Khait the most about moving to America was the flight to the United States and the thought of having to meet new people.
“I had to fly for eight hours. I’m awfully afraid of heights, but I am an adrenaline junkie,” Khait said. “Meeting new people and thinking about how they are going to react to you was a little weird, too.”
Schooling was a big change for Khait when he moved to America. He described the schooling system in Belarus as being drastically different than in America.
Khait explained that Belarusian schools have only 11 grades, with students receiving two diplomas: one in 9th grade and one in 11th grade. Students can move on to college after receiving their first diploma.
Sophomore Alex Khait (left) poses with his siblings.
However, college is not how Americans perceive it.
College in Belarus, Khait explained, is different because students remain in their grades, but they get to choose their classes.
Khait said American college is equivalent to a university in Belarus. University is what counts as higher education.
Compared to Kearsley, Khait described Belarusian schools as having a grading system based on a numerical scale of one to 10.
Also, Khait said they take 24 classes in a year, so it’s more college-like. Classes are 45 minutes each, with a 10-minute break between each class.
Khait is hopeful now that he is living in America. He said the “American Dream” can now become his reality.