Embracing My Identity as an Adoptee - This is My Language Progress Now

Welcome! Here on my channel, I share my personal journey as a Russian-New Zealand adoptee-adopted at two from Arkhangelsk, Russia-I also share my series An Adoption Story, a special series of mine, which shares the journeys of adoptees from around the world.
My Story
Learn about my life as an adoptee, my upbringing in New Zealand, and the significance of embracing my roots-not only with those connections in Russia but also from Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
➡︎ • My Journey and Story
➡︎ • My Family
➡︎ • My Birth Parents
An Adoption Story
Explore incredible stories of adoptees, each with their own unique path.
➡︎ Season Two (2024-present) • An Adoption Story (202...
➡︎ Season One (2022-2023) • An Adoption Story (202...
Subscribe
Don't forget to Subscribe: / @alexgilbert
Connect With Me
➡︎ Instagram: / alexgilbert
➡︎ Facebook: / nzalexgilbert
I'm Adopted
➡︎ Website: imadopted.org/
➡︎ Facebook: / imadoptedorg
➡︎ Instagram: / imadoptedorg
I’m passionate about connecting with adoptees and sharing stories that matter.
Follow along as I reflect on family, identity, and connection.

[@bybcreamer1975]

I've been watching you for 5 years. I remember your first time meeting your birth parents. Your growth is amazing. Keep growing and continue being you. Thank you, for sharing your life and others with the world.

[@kostyazen]

Alex, thank you. Touched by your story! I've been watching your videos for several years now.

[@Jean-ko4xv]

Hi Alex, Good to see you. God Bless. 😊 Jean, a Great Grandma

[@christinaandrade1386]

I so admire how you’ve persisted in learning the Russian language over the years. You have such a great heart for helping many people all over the world.

[@katheryns1219]

Какой ты молодец! I'm so glad you have a tutor. Russian grammar is not easy to learn in a classroom setting let alone by yourself. Don't compare yourself with native speakers. Step by step. Just keep progressing. One suggestion: slow down. Don't try to speak Russian as fast as you do in English, because it gives you a New Zealand intonation. Russian intonation is entirely different from any brand of English. When you listen to native speakers, note the rise and fall of tone in sentences. In Russian, intonation can change a sentence from a statement to a question without moving any of the words. Anyway, you are doing great. Keep up the good work.

[@Anca820]

So proud of you Alex! I’ve been trying to learn, and it’s quite difficult. I bet your little sister enjoys you speaking to her in Russian too!

[@valentinagordiyenko8810]

Hi. It was touching to hear your story. My name is Valentina . I am trying to find my family in Ukraine/Russia . Now I live in New York. Please let me know from where to start looking for my lost relatives.

[@valentinagordiyenko8810]

Thank you for replying. I moved from Kiev to USA at 1993. I have old , red versions of my passport. I did not change passport. I went to Ukraine embassy at Manhattan but they do not have / keep any information about relatives. I also tried through the orphanage ( where I use to live) but they do not keep records of year 1959. Too old. What else do you think I can do?

[@christinekeefe9004]

Great job with your Russian studies! You are making a lot of progress. Maybe someday when things are better in Russia you can go back there and live for a while again so you use the language every day and become fluent.

[@1958RBS]

You seem to be making excellent progress, Alex and will soon be able to enjoy conversing fluently with your family and friends in Russia. Good luck, but I don't think you will need it!

[@kostyazen]

They say it's convenient to ask chatGPT to teach you Russian through messaging. Говорят, что удобно попросить chatGPT учить тебя русскому языку в переписке.

[@abhir7823]

Alex and Sasha both are the same name... Alexander 😊

[@alexgilbert]

Yes I know of course :) Sasha is my first name legally and Alexander is my middle name legally. But I know they are both the same too :)

[@lightcyy]

You're ding great and you seem like lovely person. Just wondering if you were babtised in Russian Orthodox Church as a baby before adoption?

[@alexgilbert]

Hello Hello! No I wasn’t. Well not that I’m aware of :)

[@lightcyy]

@@alexgilbert oh wow, i didn't expect you to answer 😊, thank you! I'm asking because I converted to Russian Orthodox Church and was watching some videos of Russia few years ago, when your chanel popped out 😊. Anyway I love your videos and your life story is very fascinating, good luck with everything 😊and of course God bless you 💜☦️☦️☦️💜