Michael Sandler, 19, is a second-year civil engineering student. His parents immigrated separately from St. Petersburg, Russia in their teens.
Byline: By Henry Stafford (Multimedia Editor)
“I sometimes notice that there’s differences in how I act with new people. I tend to be a little bit more closed off, which is kind of just part of the culture. My parents came to the U.S. when they were young, 15 and 17. They’re both from St. Petersburg, Russia. They met here at St. Louis Park High School. I’m from the Twin Cities area. I’m now fluent in two languages, which means that I can meet twice as many people. [To find community] I just hang out with a group of Russian and other Slavic friends. Some of them I’ve known my whole life. Others, I’ve met more recently or through other friends. My parents and grandparents don’t speak English very well. I can see sometimes they have a hard time getting around to things that are easy for everyone else.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Interview and photo done by Henry Stafford.