J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y - 1 9 9 8 From Belarus...With Determination In 1988, Vladimir Pavlyukovets was working on a farm in Belarus, a country which borders Russia, when his brother told him that a cousin had moved to America. At first, Vladimir couldn't believe it. But it was true. His cousin moved, then his cousin's family and then Vladimir and his family followed. Vladimir is making an impression on his new country. In 1994, he was valedictorian of the New York State School for the Deaf in Rome. Now he is ready to graduate from Gallaudet University. WAY: How was the Belarus school different from the American school? Vladimir: In Belarus, all the students wear uniforms and we use only speech and lipreading in the classes. Under Communism, the boys wore red neck kerchiefs and the girls wore aprons, but we don't do that anymore. WAY: Are meals the same? Vladimir: No. We eat four times a day in Belarus—breakfast, lunch at 11, soup at about 2:30, then a light dinner at 7:30. WAY: How does Russian Sign Language compare to American Sign Language? Vladimir: Some words are the same, for example EAT, WARM, COLD, but it is 90% different. I couldn't understand American Sign Language at all when I arrived here. WAY: Why did you come to America? Vladimir: We were allowed to come for religious reasons. Most Russians are Orthodox, but my family is Pentecostal—Christians that believe in spirituality. WAY: How did you feel about coming here? Vladimir: Oh, I wanted to come. First my cousin came. I remember it was winter and we were chopping wood when my brother told me that my cousin was moving to America. I couldn't believe it...It seemed impossible. WAY: Were you excited to come here? Vladimir: Yes, but my mother was afraid that we would not be allowed to stay because my brother and I are deaf. WAY: Was that a problem? Vladimir: No, they did not ask us about that. WAY: What were your impressions about America before you moved here? Vladimir: Well, some people hate America—they say that there are guns everywhere and people are not safe. Other people say that America is a wonderful country where you can have everything you want. WAY: What was your biggest problem? Vladimir: Finding the deaf school! My hearing brother went to school, but my deaf brother and I stayed home. For six months, I saw no other deaf people. We asked everyone what to do—but no one knew. WAY: How did you find out? Vladimir: Finally the Russian interpreter took us to the school. It was not far away! WAY: How long did it take you to learn American Sign Language and English? Vladimir: I learned American Sign Language in about three months. I got a two-volume dictionary and studied it to learn English—and I am still learning it! WAY: What is your career goal? Vladimir: I want to become a forensic scientist. I also want to help improve technology for the deaf community in Belarus and expose more hearing people there to deaf culture. General comments may be sent to: ISCS.ClercCenter@gallaudet.edu Last modified March 10, 1998 Copyright © 1998, All Rights Reserved Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center Gallaudet University 800 Florida Ave. NE Washington, DC 20002-3695