What It Was Like Growing Up In The Soviet Union / Immigrating To Canada As An Adult

If you've ever wondered what it was like to grow up in the Soviet Union, to be there as it fell apart and then the unique journey that many took to immigrate to the west, this video is for you. In this week's video I sat down with my Mom who was born in modern day Russia, moved all around the country as a child because her father was in the army and finally settle in modern day Ukraine as the USSR was falling apart. I was born right after the collapse and within five years we found ourselves moving to Canada to start a new life. I had made a video about a year ago what my transition was like and will link it down below. Immigrating as an adult is a totally different situation, so I'm really grateful that my Mom was able to shed some light on her own story in hopes that it will help others going through the same thing. I hope you enjoy it!
Alina xo
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[@kmchowdhury1830]

i had lived six years in soviet union for higher studies, and these six years were the golden time of my life. alina, what your mother described i witnessed all these with my own eyes .i visited lvov, kieb, astrakhan, murmansk and obviously moscow several times, and came to meet so many different type of people.and all these people were so friendly, simple and hospitable.great mother great daughter and great stories.spaciba.

[@mikebond6060]

My grand father did the same!

[@mikebond6060]

When did you go?

[@abcdefghijklmnopasd]

Your mother is a strong woman....this video made me realize the sacrifices our parents make for our future...God bless you both.🤗

[@AlinaMcleod]

She really is. Thank you so much!

[@user-oq4uj9vf6j]

@@AlinaMcleod Обратил внимание на невербальные моменты: как-то Алина (т.е. ты)) отвернулась в другую сторону - и мамин взор сразу стал деловито-заботливым, как бы ища, что еще сделать для доченьки, локонок поправить, бантик повязать?, - а как дочь повернулась снова, мамино лицо просветлело, как будто поймало лучик солнца. Теплеет на душе от таких моментов...

[@jean-claudegravel3145]

Exactly like our sqwas :D

[@arthurdewith7608]

from one dictator Hitler to another Stalin im glad eastern European counties have their own government's Russia is a poor country for agriculture and comfort the only thing Russia had waz a strong army of u were in the army u made a living otherwise u lived a poor existence

[@arthurdewith7608]

@Rich H not true in canada

[@MK-tj5bf]

In 1991, when ussr separated, all money became just a paper. Try to think: yesterday you had 200 000$ and today the same money became 20$ That what the most of families in back ussr countries went through Tough time. Tough time.

[@sergejosaulenko6712]

Yeah. And meanwhile, someone made a fortune on this crisis.

[@moats7788]

why crisi happen؟

[@kiparis777]

@@moats7788 Because Yeltsin sold the country for American money.

[@phyllobolus]

Except you hadn't have.

[@MK-tj5bf]

Ivan Boldyrev what do you mean?

[@JerryDLTN]

I think everyone should do an interview of their grandparents and parents before it's too late

[@cijoykjose]

Exactly..

[@adrianbrown1492]

My Mother is 91 and I think you are right. I have so much to ask her but she lives far away unfotunately

[@inconnu4961]

I totally agree!

[@inconnu4961]

@@adrianbrown1492 There are books out there with questions in them that you could ask her to write or record. its called 'My Mother's Story' and 'My Fathers story' I got one for my dad fairly cheap at Barnes & Noble's book store!

[@Positivistique]

A new picture of the USSR is emerging...not 100% black nor white! I really appreciate this new much more realistic image!

[@milanmoisov9650]

I am from ex Yugoslavia. Its exactly the same case. There is nostalgia for that times. It was not that bad. We were learning songs about Tito. Well in western society is a little bit different. In UK they are brainwashed with the queen. When Yugoslavia fell apart in six new countries: Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, and Slovenia( order is from south to north:), was like learning new system. Some people got used to better then others. But A LOT of educated people left these new countries, some not very smart become criminals and some of them rich... long story short, everything was upside down. Education system was very good but is really hard to move to another country and start from zero. Many years later i could see people with university degree working on building sites across EU. Anyway, i liked the video. You and your mam are beautiful Slavic woman:)

[@user-qd3wr6el9o]

???????чего чего...Югославия распалась))))))))))да да ...замечательно...то есть это не НАТО уничтожило Югославию причём не за один раз ...а расчленяло её поэтапно...что у людей в голове вместо памяти-мозгов...даже не знаю...особенно когда это касается их самих и их сограждан их Родины...

[@ashimov1970]

God bless the Queen and UK

[@caim3465]

@@user-qd3wr6el9o nobody's gonna understand your Russian, buddy.

[@user-qd3wr6el9o]

@@caim3465 use google translate or so...or may be it is not exist???

[@user-yx8ud7sw4u]

So using patterns they can also critisize total propaganda of the queen & lgbt in the UK ))

[@derekmorgan8534]

Anyone can tell that you and your beautiful Mom have a nice relationship. But it definitely reminded me of My Father. He never lost his own identity. He was from a town called Niš in Serbia, and after over 30 years of living in Peru (where I was born) he never lost his accent and always talked about socialism and how things used to be more organized back then lol. He was super strict and could be a little harsh at times, but he was a good man nonetheless. Yours seems like a sweet and very caring Mom. God bless you both 🌹

[@iksralquyuud]

Where did you get the name Morgan? :)

[@pederdavisson9124]

Thank you so much for making this video Alina. As an American growing up during the Regan era I so clearly remember the anti-Soviet propaganda. I took a class in high school called “Understanding the Soviet Union and Soviets” which was essentially a class indoctrinating the students into an anti-soviet view point, demonizing a whole group of people as soulless monsters who didn’t have any appreciation for human life. Even then as a kid, I instinctually knew that “this can’t be right.” People are still people and as Sting said “the Russians love their children too.” It’s really sickening as I look back at it but it’s not as though I believed everything I was being taught, but it was such a lost opportunity to have really learned. Your video was great because it was the kind of thing I wish they had shown us in school. Once you start from the perspective that people are people, it’s hard to consider a whole country’s population as monsters. Of course there were some really bad things done to people in the Soviet Union institutionally by the government, but it’s not so different today in the US with government lying to the people, propaganda etc.. it’s just really neat to have someone put a human face to real life experiences in the Soviet Union. I for one would love it if you could make more videos like this, maybe with other family members, maybe with your mom going into specific stories. I really enjoy listening to this stuff, thanks again!

[@AlinaMcleod]

That is all very true. I'm glad you enjoyed it and I will be making more interview type videos. If you look at some of my earlier videos of visiting Ukraine, Travel Kyiv The Local Way or something like that I think I called it, I interview my young cousin who lives in Ukraine if you're interested. All the best

[@dibakarchakraborty8712]

Capitalism is the real monster which doesn't even give a shit for human lives, be it a million lives. Liked your post. My respect.

[@zerinzinia8660]

Your American government did much more bad things in Vietnam, Iraq and the middle east and not to mention the South and central American nations. Just wait and see what happens to the USA in the long run. Instead of swallowing what your government say why not read some books written by your fellow countryman Noam Chomsky, and Micheal Moor.

[@julianz3598]

All governments as ruling class are evil, it's irrelevant to the system wether capitalism or communism. It's all about gaining the power to rule their people. Western world citizen thought they're free and have all kinds of rights, how about Snowdon and Assange, wake up guys.

[@justarussian8714]

It's great that real Americans understand what is what. Thank you guys.

[@zs-art7141]

My life is a bit similar also. I was born 7 days before the collapse of the USSR , then my parents moved to Lebanon, my father is Lebanese. After 10 years in Lebanon we moved to Canada where I lived for 15 years. And now I moved back to Russia by myself at 28. Being here in Russia, I'm starting to understand how big of catastrophe was the collapse of the USSR and how much has changed in people's lives.

[@paulsdancing5429]

ZS...it would be very interesting, if you would keep us informed. Wishing you good luck from Canada.

[@zs-art7141]

@@paulsdancing5429 Thanks mate. I mean, so far I'm doing well. Lots of personal growth and challenges. As well as reconnecting with my language, culture and people. It would be awesome to meet some Canadians and Americans here too

[@oldjunkvet]

ZS-ART Russia today has become so much better in many ways to what it was during the post soviet period. I myself am immigrating there permanently from the states in less than a year.

[@tttttttt8482]

With putin regime and Russians being slaves it's not good to live in Russia, you can even get sentenced for like 3 years just for reposting on internet, it happens a lot in Russia, killing the opposition or independend journalists and so on, autocratic regime...they are still in the usssr time

[@user-hk5up7hi3w]

Collapse of USSR wasn't a catastrophe. The Soviet Union was hell for many people. I am Ukrainian and i'm happy that i live in this country. I was born in a free country thanks to the collapse of USSR. I can decide who i will be and where i will live by myself.

[@mohammadehsan4811]

Alina you and your mom are both really full of beauty 💐

[@justarussian8714]

Классная мама, от нее веет таким теплом и заботой. Она очень похожа на мою маму, только моложе). Несмотря на трудную жизнь после перестройки в СССР, она вспоминает только хорошее. Счастья Вам!

[@АнатолійНасєдкін]

странно, столько хорошего было в СССР о чем можно вспоминать с теплотой, а "Классная мама" оказалась аж на другом конце Земли. Получается, что если бы не "перестройка" и "независимость" Украины то благоденствовали бы совки и дальше. Красноречивым есть факт, что вспоминая о трудностях в пост-СССР, "мама" вспоминает исключительно о материальных проблемах. А вот о миллионах загубленых в СССР жизнях, рабском труде в ГУЛаге, за счет которых и было достигнуты успехи индустриализации и "сытая" жизнь в Советах речи нет.

[@justarussian8714]

@@АнатолійНасєдкін в СССР были и плюсы и минусы. Просто кто-то выискивает недостатки и кричит о них во все горло, а кто-то вспоминает хорошее. Хорошего тоже было предостаточно.

[@АнатолійНасєдкін]

@@justarussian8714 например многих радовала усилинная пайка в ГУЛАГе, давало шанс на жизнь.

[@leoalex3271]

@@АнатолійНасєдкін Ты про голодомор забыл упомянуть. Разве тебе бабушка не рассказывала?

[@Marek_Cali]

Very beautiful talk. I moved to USA from Poland and also remember 1980's . I have same memories and experiences as your mom . After listening to your mom i can say one thing...she moved to Canada to give you a better life. She took all that risk for you. Mothers are just amazing - super-woman

[@AlinaMcleod]

Absolutely :)

[@lenaandreeva5030]

Marek_Cali thank you for your comment ❤️

[@sergeshmonin]

Очень интересно смотреть и слушать интервью мамы у дочки. Акценты очень явные - у мамы русский, а Алина очень ярко говорит по-канадски. Но, когда Алина говорит по-русски, абсолютно понятно, что она из русской семьи. Алина говорит с 100% копированием правильной русской речи - она на слух полностью попадает в ритм русской речи, мелодию речи. Иностранцы так не говорят! Очень интересный разговор!!!

[@kirillkaretnyy680]

Сергей Шмонин так у неё мама native speaker, ничего удивительного

[@max583]

У Алины родной язык - русский. Насколько я понял, она в 5 лет попала в Канаду. Так что она не копирует, у нее просто навык потерян, что заметно по падежам и спряжениям. Причем, говорок - южнорусский, а звуки - северорусские. Вот такая загогулина.

[@alexalexin9491]

"говорить по-канадски". (*записывает в книжечку*)

[@goranjovic3174]

@@max583 da tak est' , ya kak Serb kotoriy znaet russkiy chut' chut' vidim vse etie raznici v akcente toze :) )) U mami Russkiy - Slovyanskiy angliskiy akcent a u Alini 100% Kanadskiy no eto vse normal'no ! :) )) I Alina v 5. let uzhe znala materinskiy Russkiy yazik sovsem , tol'ko bila mal'enkaya i zabila nekotorie slova , mozet byt' , no akcent rodnogo yazika nikogda ne smozes zabit' :) )) Nastoyashcaya Russkaya i Slovyanskaya devushka , krasavica !

[@sergefa5862]

У меня только светлые воспоминания о детстве в СССР. Я вырос в семье рабочих. Мои родители были глухонемые, т.е. инвалиды, нас было три брата.. Я считаю, что мы жили очень хорошо. Я получил высшее образование.

[@E266PD]

Повезло, успел до 90-х.

[@E266PD]

@Segdururu Rogdalson где воруешь? Или путлеровских воров обслуживаешь? При этом сидишь в китайских трусах, жрешь из китайской посуды, тыкаешь в китайскую клаву на китайском компе. И видимо спекулируешь китайским товаром. Вот такой ты безграмотный идиот.

[@SashaPoberailo]

конечно хорошо, когда ты малолетка

[@E266PD]

@@SashaPoberailo нормальным людям в СССР было хорошо, ворам, жуликам, дебилам и подонкам было плохо.

[@SashaPoberailo]

@@E266PD в ваших юнешеских воспоминаниях именно все так и было

[@jayanth12am]

I became very emotional watching this. ur mom is a very beautiful person. lucky to have a mom like her.

[@perry8498]

Nice to see you and your mom together and to hear the story she had to tell

[@lifestories7957]

Enjoyed listening to your mum. Wish her good health.

[@jvishnevetskaia]

Теперь вижу, что вы всё таки говорите по-русски :-D Ваша мама прекрасная смелая женщина, спасибо за такое теплое семейное видео!

[@jcf6597]

Very interesting hearing your mom's story, thanks for sharing.

[@johnwakefield9378]

Wonderful to hear your story and see your mom. Helps those of us who had it so simple to appreciate what you all went through ..

[@jamesfohare]

Alina thank your Mom for doing the interview, she brought back a few memories for me. Love to you both. xx :)

[@rodneysippel751]

Thank you so much for sharing this Alina. Your Video gives us here in Australia a great insight to life in Russia in those days !!

[@steve94044]

Great video!!! Love your mom and her story!!! Thanks.

[@wildcool04]

I've been watching many of your videos but this was the best one ever, nice history and your mom is just a winner, congrats for you all

[@LaChigary]

Your Mother is adorable. I Thank her for sharing her story.

[@toriyshaov2245]

I was born in 1966 in the USSR. There was always a lot of love around me. Both at home and at school. Adults tried to protect us from difficulties and problems. We were taught to respect the elders. Our education was of a gymnasium type without a system of two corridors, all of us had the right to enter the University after passing the entry exams. There was a system of correspondence higher education for workers. There were many clubs for children. I studied at a music school, was engaged in freestyle wrestling, in an aircraft modeling circle, participated in theatrical circle performances, played the guitar in the school ensemble, studied in the rifle section. In the summer, our teachers went hiking with us through mountain passes to the sea. All this was either free or for very feasible spending on food on hikes, we were taken from the Caucasus to Moscow and Leningrad, where we lived free of charge in empty schools on vacation and visited museums and theaters. There were regular medical examinations, treatment, including dentists, was free of charge. At the same time, our family lived in a room with an area of ​​18 square meters, although my dad was a researcher at the University and an assistant professor and my mother was a senior engineer at a semiconductor plant and a candidate of science (PhD). We got for free from the Government a three-room apartment when I was 14 years old. We had a "Niva" 4x4 car, and often drove it to relatives in Ukraine and to the sea at Crimea and other places. Grandmothers, great-grandmother and mother's dad were still alive, they had their own houses in their villages and there was their livestock. We did not know in our family any food problems. The only problem was with imported clothing and equipment - American jeans, which we were finding on the black market, and Japanese video recorders and televisions, which were bought at a thrift store. A few years before the end of the USSR, we bought a used Mercedes from a western diplomat - they were cheaper than Soviet cars, because people were afraid of problems with spare parts, but in fact it was not a problem - we were finding them with the help of relatives of Soviet Jews from Israel.

[@inconnu4961]

Thank you for sharing this! It s always fascinating to here these stories! i never grow tired of them! it sounds like you grew up in a certain level of privilege! Congrats!

[@agustindejesus7398]

Toriy, i see a lot of people talk about how nice it was for them in the Soviet Union when they were children. Then why a lot of Russian parents moved to Canada or the US? All i can say is you all are adults now....you can always go back to the SU.

[@PerseidaMode]

@@agustindejesus7398 Maybe because the SU no longer exists?

[@agustindejesus7398]

Tor, it seem like you had a good life. I guess you lived during the good time to be a Russian

[@agustindejesus7398]

@@PerseidaModePer, Russia is still the Soviet Union, the Kremlin....it does not matter how some people call it. The ones in charge will put you in jail, or kill you....if you dont follow orders.

[@marilovescoffee]

Your mom is delightful, and her advice at the end is applicable to so many situations.

[@suzegiljer3206]

What a beautiful interview this is.Thank you so much for your wisdom and balance.

[@sagdjimbo]

You did an awesome job Alina interviewing your mom! Very educational and gives us good perspective on life.

[@Victoria-fg6nk]

прилежный - diligent, meticulous, thorough, hard-working etc. Thank you guys for sharing your experience

[@2023Red]

That was a great interview! Thank you both for sharing.

[@iuriimusagitov9865]

Алина, спасибо огромное за видео! Thank you so much!

[@alekxu]

Spasibo za video - mne ochen nravitsa. Thank you for sharing the moment and story. It is amazing and inspiring for me. I hope to see more videos like this (also helps me learn Russian). You look just like your mother when she was your age, stunningly beautiful.

[@kayeninetwo3585]

You both have such nice smiles...a familial resemblance, to be sure.

[@est6464]

Your mother is beautiful inside and out. Her advice at the end had perfect timing for me. God bless.

[@hgone7221]

Thank you for chronicling a part of your families lives. Cheers from central Ca!

[@chandu1534]

Мама больше 20 лет в Канаде,а говорит как типичная русская,не оканадилась)))молодцы,мама позитивная и мудрая женщина,приятно её слушать. ps-прилежный =старательный.

[@egorom-lz4gp]

Я тоже ожидал услышать лучшего произношения от мамы,но зато они понимают друг друга и это замечательно 👍

[@VladRonin]

Русские не хотят учить украинский на Украине ... А тут ещё и совсем другой язык ... Меня это не удивляет .

[@inbuckswetrust7357]

@@VladRonin нахрена его учить если среда полностью русскоязычная а если нет само собой язык выучится

[@pondturtle4972]

I LOVE how your Mum answered that last question... I perceive that she is (still) living a full, rewarding life … Всего наилучшего, мама !

[@leroybowman891]

I love your mom's story, you only get a chance to go around once in life, your mom got it while the getting what's good, everybody deserves to be happy, I am glad and happy for her love from Virginia U.S.A.

[@theansangong2659]

Excellent communication with mom. She is so cute and beautiful. Thank you Alina.

[@GeorgesKondos]

a very interesting story !!!! and useful

[@akaltaf]

It was so nice to meet your mom. She told a story that is so so familiar for many immigrants who decide to make US/ Canada their adopted home, become citizen and start a new chapter in their life. It brought back many of my own memories when I immigrated to US and started my professional life here. Wishing you both the best in your life.

[@lenaandreeva5030]

thank you

[@georgemckinnon7134]

Heartwarming! Your parents are amazing.

[@LevyCarneiro]

Well conducted interview. Nice to see such a beautiful daughter-mother connection. Thanks.

[@russianspy2046]

Your mother is beautiful and you totally looks like same :) 👀

[@AlinaMcleod]

She certainly is!

[@danielvanr.8681]

I totally agree. Slava Ukrajiny! :)

[@jenspflug7473]

There is, better there was, when her mother was younger, a certain resemblance. Obviously no dead ringer. Differnt facial structure, mouth etc.

[@fcf777]

@@AlinaMcleod among other things, you can also thank you mom for your great beauty.

[@userlp66amn09cp]

My friend has ever visited Russia told me all girls walking on the street are beautiful

[@NostalgicMem0ries]

much love form other soviet state lithuania, we really miss those times too, it was so optimistic, calm and steady life, equality in 60s 70s were best time to live in

[@Zeratul187]

Wait what isn't Lithuania rich???

[@NostalgicMem0ries]

@@Zeratul187 rich of what?

[@Zeratul187]

@@NostalgicMem0ries money of course

[@NostalgicMem0ries]

@@Zeratul187 compared to what? to arfica yeah maybe... compared to ussr times or rich countries today.. hell no.

[@Musfiq77]

nice true story from real life , I enjoyed it so much , thank you Alina , you are awesome

[@rediscoveryourself4967]

Alina, i feel your mom loves you so much that is the great and biggest gift in life...

[@vladimirnikolskiy]

Давно уже Алину встретил на просторах Ютуба и помню первую свою мысль - ничего себе, на Западе такие красивые девушки тоже есть и как она похожа на мою дочь!) И тут чудо - Алина, как оказалось, это - Елена! Славянки, вы - лучшие!!!

[@egorom-lz4gp]

Почему Елена ,Алина это другое имя

[@milamyronie1795]

@@egorom-lz4gp Елена это имя ее мамы

[@barneybush]

Thank you for sharing!

[@mgcarr61camaro91]

I wish i had interviewed my mother while she was still with us ! Your interview brought great memories of my mom ! Thankyou

[@marias5088]

наши славянские женщины - самые красивые!

[@johnkstealth]

Love it!! Your mother had much courage to do what she did. I'm glad she is happy with her choice. I wish her continued happiness!!

[@AlinaMcleod]

Thank you :)

[@lenaandreeva5030]

John Langley thank you

[@HARPREETSINGH-nh4fv]

I enjoyed video .Great lessons shared by your mom and you subtitled beautifully .

[@bonanza06]

A very interesting interview ! I love the obvious loving rapport between you and your mom, who appears to be a very caring, intelligent and honest lady. Cheers !

[@frivolouselm7529]

You can`t even imagine how right your mom was when she decided to move to Canada. My parents made totally other decision to my great sadness. My father got invitation from New Zealand government to immigrate and... rejected it in 1995. Now it is my turn. I am going to immigrate to Canada. For my son, he is 10 y.o. And I want give him better future. So wish me luck! Thank you for the video and tell to your mother she is really молодец!

[@AlinaMcleod]

That's really wonderful. I wish you and your family all the best!

[@kayotang2099]

What a great story, thanks. I went to study in Japan and in America and worked around America and Canada in the 80s. I worked in Toronto, in Vancouver, and in Tokyo now. As your beloved Mom did, it took me more than 10 years to decide to become a Canadian citizen.

[@mohammadharun-or-rashid.3294]

You have a nice mom and she was capable of facing challenges. Your family bonding is very nice.

[@evelinholmes6401]

18 years for me.

[@millafruit]

Thanks for the very honest and personal interview. It's great to see your mom empowering the strength to take on a great step towards a big change in her life for the sake of her family. I absolutely love her smile. You definitely take on her good looks and calm nature.

[@AlinaMcleod]

Thank you so much!

[@April-gw8yc]

Beautiful interview. Thank you.

[@lifecoachingtoronto]

You & мать have such good rapport! You were matching & mirroring each other at parts (this is the life coach coming out in me) lol. Great job @lina & Mama!

[@AlinaMcleod]

hahaha thanks for catching that, Giovanni! I've been more conscious of body language since you told me about it. There's definitely so much truth to it. Hope you are well!

[@lifecoachingtoronto]

aww, that makes me smile @lina :). You're very welcome.

[@Hearthsbane]

Ой, хорошие девчонки)))Хорошо, что не забываете родную речь. Елена , спасибо за такую славную доченьку ))

[@houstontxdave6876]

Thanks for sharing your families story

[@wl5609]

What a lovely lady your Mother is. Thanks for sharing her experiences with your audience..♥️♥️♥️

[@harryfritter8266]

I've been to Canada many times to every province. It's so beautiful there!! And some of the friendliest people I've ever met. From Tofino, to Yellowknife, to Nova Scotia, and everywhere in between!! Great country!!

[@user-ue6vc9ec7k]

Отличный разговор получился. Уважение к маме. Уехав в Канаду, не стала плохо говорить о Родине. Не всё так плохо же было в СССР, но и были свои недостатки. Спасибо за добрые воспоминания. И ещё. Я смотрела видео о Тирасполе. Это мой город. Твой рассказ о нас мне понравился. Милости просим ещё. Центр в Тирасполе изменился. Благоустроили фонтанами в центре ,сделали хороший парк.

[@sivanesanerambu753]

Thanks for the update

[@juniperdog5523]

That was REALLY interesting. Thank you.

[@hiroueda2227]

lovely story! absolutely lovely!

[@AlinaMcleod]

Thanks, Hiro!

[@hiroueda2227]

Welcome! I always love to hear immigrants life stories...its always a learning experience and inspirational to hear why they migrated.

[@P.Whitestrake]

Amazing story! Really good to know how Russia/Ukraine was from the eyes of a citizen who had lived in USSR era. Thank you for sharing this, Alina & mom! Have a fabulous day!

[@AlinaMcleod]

Thank you so much and you as well!

[@P.Whitestrake]

Alina Mcleod You're welcome!

[@EnriqueLopez-uv6wo]

Excellent and sweet video Alina.

[@alex_2020]

Salute to your mom for her bravery and hard work!

[@tonycust9247]

Alina, I enjoyed this interview so much! My mum was Canadian and married my Aussie dad during WWII. She missed it so much and never took the opportunity to return. Here in Australia there were many Ukrainian immigrants after the war whose children I grew up with, and still have some of them as friends. So they are in a generation not unlike yours! Sadly, the old generation has nearly all passed away. PS: your mum's English is fine!

[@bayareapianist]

I also moved to Canada like your mom in my early 20s. In the beginning my life wasn't easy specifically the cold weather that I wasn't used to. But I really enjoyed my freedom. I got to this clip from the clip you made with your mom in Kiev. I wish I had made one like yours with my mother who was a great leader in our family. Try to have more clips with your mom. Over coming years she too changes like your city Kiev.

[@JeroenDeWitQHHT]

Your mom seems like such a sweetheart! 💜

[@kimmelsadventures]

You both are so beautiful and inspiring wow. What an amazing testimony and journey some have to go thru just to stay alive and thrive for better opportunity. God bless you both richly.

[@mflbo1966]

I emigrated to Belgium when I was 26. I felt very lonely and sometimes I still do. I miss Portugal but my heart tells me to go East, I don't want to stay here.

[@orionlavinmartinez3186]

As a Belgian with Cuban roots, I feel you. I grew up in Belgium, but I really want to move out.

[@mflbo1966]

@@orionlavinmartinez3186 I don't blame you. Belgium has many wonderful things but they also have a very expressing way of reminding us (in spite of the citizenship and living here most of our lives), that we are foreigners.

[@darenbanford7969]

you definitely have your Mom's eye's and nose, and how ironic, she wanted to be an actress and your kind of on the same path......for now you are a you tube actress and super successful model.

[@jenspflug7473]

Wow,wow, hold on a sec! Everything is okay but using the word super succesful model here is certainly an exaggeration as it would imply her being an internationally renowned model in the league of Doutzen Kroes, Cara Delevingne and the likes. That's not the case.

[@eversunnyguy]

Great that you are connected to mom and sharing things with her! You must be a proud daughter

[@Ecosse57]

this was very educational but also very beautiful to see you two discussing. your mom is a charming woman and listening to her brought a smile to my face. ~from your neighbor south of your border. :)

[@sebastianminney4696]

Amazing video I couldn't imagine how life was after the collapse of the USSR I learned a lot from your mom and her story thank you for sharing I really enjoyed it for sure

[@AlinaMcleod]

I'm so glad!

[@sebastianminney4696]

@@AlinaMcleod I know you said you love to travel and I was wondering would you to travel to other ex Soviet Union State's like Kazakhstan or Turkmenistan or Tajikistan I think that would be interesting a trip I would like to do one day myself

[@DamirAsanov]

@@sebastianminney4696 Welcome to Kyrgyzstan. In summertime of course. Winters are harsh here.

[@Timurlane100]

I've been a follower of you for some time, but I just stumbled across this video. How brilliant!! Your mother is a lovely gem, and her insights are priceless. I know a number of people who grew up in Soviet times, and their experiences seem familiar to what your mother describes. Maybe not ideal, but not exactly oppressive. That said, my Soviet friends have, for the most part, enjoyed their lives in the west ... though they are worried (as am I) about the direction the west is going.

[@rudolfkasanpawiro644]

Wonderful Mom,strong spirit just like her daughter. Reason to be greatful. God bless her.

[@jerryaschenbrenner712]

I loved watching this video and was wishing that it wouldn’t end - there’s just so much more that I wanted to know. Obviously two beautiful, strong, intelligent woman. I’m sure that your parents are intensely proud of you. Canada needs more citizens like you!

[@damarisvazman2963]

You really are the spitting image of your mother! Its crazy how much you look alike! Lovely video Alina! Hearing about the USSR is always so interesting! I had a prof in University who was born and raised in East Germany which was a part of the USSR at one point, and I was personally fascinated by the focus on education during this time. I know that most of what people were taught was propaganda for the state, but according to my prof, teachers would condense all this information and teach it in a simplistic way so that everyone knew about it. I think it was really special how every town had a ballet and how reading and literature was such a huge part of society! (Not being pro ussr or anything) - its just that, you look at the at countries like Canada or the US and see how both countries do not have and are not close to having a 100% literacy rate, and i cant help but wonder why😶 and its funny how in your video, your mom mentioned she already studied to be a nurse, but in Canada she still needed to go to school to learn things she probably already saw before. I feel like this is turning into a slight rant haha. I just want to know if you and your mom have any thoughts on this, and also, did you and your mom watch Cheburashka growing up? Keep doing what you're doing girl!💓

[@AlinaMcleod]

Thank you for sharing that

[@terezakoukal6253]

East Germany was NEVER part of the USSR.Like many other countries,though,they formed the so-called Eastern Bloc.

[@zhannagrace]

Thank you so much!! my husband (Russian) & I just loved meeting your mum!! what a delightful lady who obviously keeps her own kind of beautiful.....

[@AlinaMcleod]

Aw thank you so much ❤️

[@user-bz3hw9ry8u]

Russian husband. And who are the children?

[@djeyeskold1279]

Wonderful, touching and inspirational 🌹

[@Galliit]

Just started the video. There's not enough of this type of content online. Thank you for this! I hope it takes a little bit about the intragenerational trauma 😬

[@jasongreen8565]

Your mom looks like a very good woman's, God bless her and you 😊

[@AlinaMcleod]

Thank you so much

[@georgechilidis8446]

As I’m watching this video with your mother telling you how tough it was for Europeans adult to come to Canada and adopt or fit in with other Canadians without second language. I enjoyed you asking you mom about the early days and got emotional because I remembered when my parents move here in Montréal Canada on February 16, 1966 in Halifax, yes by big ship on the coldest month of the year, I was 9 and my sister was 7. We had 2 uncles here so they put in school and was very tough for me taking my sister to school with me. My partners started working the first Monday. Back then when it snowed we stayed home for couple of day , cause they didn’t have the equipment like today to remove the snow . Oh one thing I forgot, my father said before we moved from Chania, Crete the biggest Greek historic island that we go to Canada only for 5 years, today 2020 and and 55 years later both of my parents died here and I go on pension after working 42 years as mechanical designer and 32 years on weekdays media and sports photographer that here in Montréal I was one of the 5 photographers ..yes I made my parents proud.. now I visit my hometown in Crete every year and try to find my relatives.. thank you for reading .. I wish you the best in your young journey....

[@lenaandreeva5030]

Thank you for sharing the memorable immigration history of your family.Hopefully your kids are proud of you and your parents. wishing all the best.

[@darrellbordeaux6132]

Great video! Thanks for sharing your mother’s experiences. Beautiful family, amazing story. Love your videos!

[@AlinaMcleod]

Thank you so much!

[@love_for_travel]

I love that picture of your Mom, when she is holding you little. Such a natural beauty💖

[@BelusTraveller]

Wonderful, Thank You for sharing, As a foreigner, in Ukraine, Family is still number one from my experiences there. If you go there and don’t feel for the people you don’t have a heart, I ❤️🇺🇦, But then again I don’t stay at the fancy hotel, I’m sleeping on the sofa of floor, boiling water for my own bath! Safe Travels, Peace Belus Traveller

[@mariamironova3095]

I have a very similar life story, I was born in Moscow and my parents and I immigrated to Canada when I was 6 years old, 13 years ago. Everything your mom talked about is what my parents went through and still struggle with, like the language and change and culture change. Our parents are so brave for doing this and I am forever thankful to them for bringing me here for a better future. Люблю Канаду, но всегда скучаю по России.

[@AlinaMcleod]

Yes, they are incredibly brave. Going through that is no small feat.

[@vulgarisopinio]

Maria Mironova Give it another 10 years and you will be thinking about going back to Russia.

[@memex3256]

@@vulgarisopinio why lol

[@vulgarisopinio]

@@memex3256 Because it’s a different country compared to what it was 13 years ago.

[@memex3256]

@@vulgarisopinio why canada is a dream for every one ok, stop complaining the govt mate , at least better than africa na

[@robertliles5994]

That was really nice Alina. I wish you both well!

[@velocita8842]

What a lovely and informative video!

[@SlavicUnionGaming]

Your looking beautiful today Alina, Hope you and your family are doing great!

[@AlinaMcleod]

Thank you so much!

[@LifeasanAdventure]

Russian language is so beautiful when spoken. I love it when my fiance speaks in Russian. hopefully she comes here soon from Ukraine.

[@wladjarosz345]

а при чём тут Украина?

[@vitaliynechaev5242]

@@wladjarosz345 невеста в Украине, говорит на русском

[@wladjarosz345]

@@vitaliynechaev5242 какой такой невеста? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gImamoJpnsiKoKM

[@user-oq4uj9vf6j]

@@vitaliynechaev5242 украинский - тоже русский :)

[@vitaliynechaev5242]

@@user-oq4uj9vf6j не совсем русский, он же украинский ))) В Украине процентов 90 населения хорошо говорят по русски.

[@globalcinemagems483]

My Salute to Ur mom. Humble, meek,Down to earth and courageous lady... Pleasure listening u both.

[@INTUITIVENORSK2303]

Alina, Thank you for sharing this video with us. It is nice to meet your Mum & to hear her interesting stories about her life in Russia. I will visit Russia again some day, as i so loved my time there prior. I carry many happy & special memories. All the best to you and your Mumma. x

[@edwardtaub1988]

Thank you for the video. I just discovered your channel and have watched several of your films. You should find my story interesting. I am an American who moved to Eastern Europe (Moldova) with my wife three years ago. We live in a village home where we grow our own crops, raise our own chickens, pick our own fruit, gather our own nuts and berries, and make our own wine. It's a simple life filled with simple pleasures. I love it.

[@martindworak]

Edward Taub, damn! Moldova? You really were looking for a challenge. I think millions of people would find your story interesting, you should start your own channel! I’m dead serious.

[@edwardtaub1988]

@@martindworak Thank you for your comment. Several others have told me the same thing, but I'm not inclined to do so. However, if someone is interested in seeing this life up close, I tell them to come to Castel Mimi winery in Bulboaca, Anenii-noi where I work as a tour guide, and ask for Edward.

[@cijoykjose]

@@edwardtaub1988 do you do tour guiding for TV travel programs?

[@edwardtaub1988]

@@cijoykjose No, I don't make videos for youtube or do anything for television.