Sona Abrahamyan’s “The Other Side of America” program answers important questions for those who have moved to the US and those who want to move
What simple rules should be known before moving to the USA, how to get information about issues of interest, these and other important topics are discussed in the project “The Other Side of America” by TV host Sona Abrahamyan, which quickly became popular on the Internet. In a conversation with 365news.am, Sona talks about the questions she receives from people who live in the USA and those who are preparing to move there.
Sona, are you being followed and sent more questions by people living in the US, or people who are about to move there?
In the beginning, the interest of Armenians living in Armenia was greater, but just after a month, the interest of the Armenians living in the USA gradually increased. Moreover, I also receive many letters from Armenians living in Russia and Europe. In addition to useful information, I was also talking about the adaptation phase, because I saw human relations that were unusual to me. Everything I saw in Los Angeles could make me really happy on one hand, while on the other hand I would experience a shock, hence that adaptation phase passes with many clashes between you and your new environment. Therefore, I started sharing my feelings and emotions on my social networks, and it was relatable to the people who were going through it and have passed it. I realized that on this platform it is important not only to share useful information, but people also want to hear an opinion on this or that issue from a person who, having lived in Armenia for many years, now lives in the USA.
I wonder, what could interest an Armenian living in the USA for many years?
To my surprise, there are actually many things that might be of interest to an Armenian living in the United States. I always like to say that nothing in the US has a clear answer, I have friends who work in different fields, and when I ask them a question, they never give a proper answer, they answer the question according to the law, but always mention that there are exceptions.
People never have a complete idea of the issue, but I try to provide a one hundred percent valid answer.
Secondly, I have noticed something important and I regularly get these questions about why there is such a big contradiction between the old and new American Armenians. Armenians living here are interested in seeing what life is like here from the eyes of a newly arrived Armenian, so I often speak of it and make this issue a topic of discussion.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbUAnWxuPBa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linkThe program has a large audience, which means it is a great platform for advertisers. How do you choose advertising?
Of course, in the online world of today, if your program is on demand, you can’t help but advertise. I take advertising very seriously and I don’t advertise everything. I promote what may be relevant to my followers because there is trust in my platform and I present everything as solid information, not as a personal opinion.
I wonder, is the Armenian in the USA is the same Armenian as in Armenia?
The Armenians here have one great advantage, living in a relatively larger country, they have learned to take the little things easier and the negative mood and attitude that many of us have in Armenia due to the tense social life, the Armenians here are trying to get rid of it. The second positive advantage is that here everyone tries to live their own life, unlike the Armenians living in Armenia, who know all the personal details of the lives of people surrounding them. Here everyone focuses on their own life. Those are the two biggest advantages I’ve noticed here. But along with all this, the Armenians from Armenia have many other advantages, which are especially expressed through expression of warmth.
Can you name five rules that have to be known by the person living there, if for example they are not citizens of that country. And I would like you to tell about the simple rules that a newly moved person should know.
For people who have just moved, the simple rules are as follows: first of all, you should be informed, because you feel adapted when you know the simple rules. Secondly, I will advise you to take your steps based on valid information, because here everyone interprets the information according to their own example. If you want to do something, don’t ask your friends and relatives, but people who have already settled in. The third rule is to simply love this country, because oftentimes I see people who are in a psychological battle, their mind and consciousness are with the life of Armenia, and they cannot focus on the lifestyle they have here and now. Of course, you don’t need to cut yourself off from Armenia, but at the moment you are in the USA, which means you need to understand the negative sides and value the positive ones you have. Fourth I would like to mention is that you need to communicate with the American environment, as you cannot be closed in an Armenian-only environment, because you need to get to know the country. And lastly, it is very important to be able to develop in this country, and to devote time for self-development, so that you always remain in the rhythm.
