Part 7/9:
One of Roman’s key takeaways from his experience is the liberating realization that, despite any challenges of immigration, he could at least own his choices in a way that he could not in Russia. Living under a repressive regime meant that any misfortune could be attributed to state actions, taking away personal agency. In Portugal, he acknowledges that if he succeeds or fails, it is on his own terms.
This realization prompted a sense of gratitude for the opportunities afforded to him outside Russia. He acknowledges that even in a foreign context, he feels a stronger sense of agency, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere he had fled.