Uzbekistan: Interview with Anvar Turaminov

Uzbekistan, with an estimated population of 31 million people, has a territory slightly larger than California. Among its population, 84 percent are ethnic Uzbeks, 5 percent are ethnic Tajiks, 3 percent are ethnic Kazakhs, and 2 percent are ethnic Russians. About 88 percent of the population identify as Muslim and 9 percent identify as Christian (Central Intelligence Agency 2024).  

According to American Community Survey data from 2016-2020, there are an estimated 67,986 immigrants from Uzbekistan living in the United States (IPUMS USA 2020). The most recent data from the National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS) indicates that the top three states of residence for immigrants from Uzbekistan are New York, California, and Pennsylvania (IPUMS NHGIS n.d.).

Immigrants from Uzbekistan primarily work as delivery truck drivers and sales workers (9.7%), which involves driving delivery trucks to pick up, transport, and drop off shipments. The second most common profession among immigrants from Uzbekistan is home health aide (8%), followed by registered nurse (4%).

Anvar Turaminov is an immigrant from Uzbekistan who currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio and works as a long-haul truck driver. On January 14, 2024, Anvar shared his experience of immigration working as a truck driver with Institute for Immigration Research staff.

Life in Uzbekistan

Anvar was born in the historic city of Samarkand, which was once an important city along the main overland trade routes connecting the East with the West. He intended to study at a prestigious Uzbek university and later in Canada, but when these plans fell through, he decided to become an entrepreneur instead.

“I was born in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. I wanted to become a diplomat and after graduating from high school, I applied to the University of World Economics and Diplomacy (UWED), in Tashkent [at the time, UWED was the most prestigious university in Uzbekistan for preparing future diplomats]. However, for two years my attempts were unsuccessful. Undeterred, I shifted gears and applied to St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, near Detroit, Michigan. Unfortunately, my visa application to Canada was denied. In 2018, I decided to embark on a different adventure - starting my first business in Samarkand of providing consultations to people planning to emigrate and helping with their paperwork. This endeavor was particularly daring as I initiated it independently, without any upfront investment.

After managing my company for several months, I discovered a newfound enjoyment in the entrepreneurial world. This realization led me to reconsider my career path, leaning towards becoming an entrepreneur, salesman, or manager rather than pursuing diplomacy. Concurrently, my hopes of being accepted to UWED dwindled. Consequently, I redirected my efforts and successfully gained admission to Tashkent State University of Economics.” 

Life in Europe

Anvar received the prestigious Erasmus Mundus scholarship from the European Union to study in Brussels. From there, he continued his studies in Sweden and Norway.

“During my first year at the Tashkent State University of Economics, my brother, as a recipient of the Erasmus Mundus scholarship program, was studying in Germany. Inspired by his experiences, I decided to follow in his footsteps. Miraculously, in my first attempt, I became a fortunate recipient of the same scholarship, leading me to pursue studies in entrepreneurship and business administration in Brussels, Belgium. Temporarily putting my Tashkent studies on hold, I embarked on my educational journey in Europe.

As the time came to decide between returning to Tashkent or officially withdrawing, my passion for studying in Europe prevailed, prompting me to withdraw from Tashkent [State University of Economics]. From Belgium, I ventured to Stockholm, Sweden, to study at the Stockholm Business School. Subsequently, I continued my academic pursuits in Norway, enrolling at the University of Agder.”

Immigrating to the United States

Anvar was selected for the U.S. Government Diversity Immigrant Visa program (commonly known as the green card lottery) and thereby was able to immigrate to the United States in 2022. Uzbekistan is among the countries whose citizens are selected for the lottery. Since 2008, the average annual number of green card recipients from Uzbekistan has been 4,233 people (U.S. Department of State 2023). In the most recent 2023 green card lottery, citizens of Uzbekistan were among the top three countries with 5,511 people, following Egypt with 5,529 and Algeria with 5,526 (U.S. Department of State 2023). 

Anvar explains his own pathway:

“After living in Europe for two years, I received life-changing news of winning the green card lottery, granting me the opportunity to immigrate to the United States. I began my job search even before moving and secured a position as a lifeguard at a wilderness resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. I was born and grew up along the banks of the Zarafshan River [a major river in Uzbekistan], so swimming was part of my lifestyle. In Sweden, I transitioned to professional swimming under the guidance of Swedish coaches who trained me. So, working as a lifeguard felt like a natural fit. In the summer of 2022, I landed in Chicago and made my way to Wisconsin Dells. It is quite lovely there in summer. I worked there for eight months, but the job turned out to be emotionally draining. Additionally, the salary fell short of my financial goals, possibly because of my ambitions and several academic studies.

I came to the realization that my lifeguard job wouldn't provide the income I aspired to, prompting me to resign from my first position in the United States. Subsequently, I received another job offer as a technician from Spectrum, a telecommunication company based in Austin, Texas. In this role, my responsibilities included setting up Wi-Fi in private houses and apartments, addressing Wi-Fi-related issues, reinstalling optic pipes and cables, and resolving issues remotely. However, after working for a couple of months, I made the decision to stop working, as I found myself unsatisfied with the nature of the work.

The primary challenge upon arriving in the United States was navigating financial difficulties and grappling with overall high prices compared to European countries. I came to the United States with 100 euros in my pocket and the bus fare from Chicago, where I landed, to Wisconsin Dells was $47. Additionally, I had to cover the costs of an apartment and putting down a deposit, and while my employers provided some assistance, financial strain persisted. Fortunately, my brother's friends offered a loan, though it was quickly depleted. The struggle continued until I transitioned to a career as a truck driver.

While adapting to life in the United States, I encountered some surprising differences, even though I had previously lived in Europe for two years. Contrary to my expectations, people in the United States were rude compared to Europeans. I found it hard to get help from people here, maybe because everybody is extremely busy here.” 

From a Truck Driver to a Pilot: Professional Pathway and Aspirations

After failing to secure a job that aligned with his educational background, Anvar decided to pursue a career of a commercial pilot. Because this process is time-consuming and expensive, he decided to support himself financially in the meantime by becoming a commercial truck driver - a very popular profession among U.S. immigrants from Uzbekistan.

“After relocating from Austin, Texas, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I made the decision to pursue a career aligned with my academic studies in business administration. Despite applying to multiple jobs, luck wasn't on my side, and I didn't receive many job offers. During this period, I took up work as an Uber driver for approximately five months. It was during this time that I encountered my most challenging financial difficulties in the United States.

I made the decision to pursue a private pilot license. However, my job as an Uber driver would be insufficient to cover the high tuition fees. Seeking alternative options, I decided to connect with the Uzbek diaspora, a community I had not been closely involved with until then. Friends from Uzbekistan, who had been living in the United States longer than me suggested a career shift to truck driving. They emphasized the potential for a high salary, independence, and the flexibility of setting my own schedule. That prospect of achieving my financial goals intrigued me, and I embarked on the journey to obtain a commercial driving license (CDL). Surprisingly, the process took only a week for me, and that is how I became a truck driver in May 2023. 

While I'm relatively new to truck driving, having flown a plane, the experience feels akin to playing with a toy. My adventurous spirit extends beyond the skies; I've scaled dangerous peaks in Yosemite National Park and in California State. Additionally, I've swum across lakes in Wisconsin.”

Anvar shared the steps he has taken so far toward his aspiration of becoming a commercial pilot:

“Obtaining a private pilot license involves two main steps, both of which I successfully completed. Initially, I engaged in self-study and took an exam, which proved to be easier than anticipated. Subsequently, I underwent 40 hours of training. The entire process took me less than 7 months, and I received my private pilot license in October 2023.

Contrary to common misconceptions, the journey to becoming a pilot is more accessible than people might think, and I would highly recommend this profession. However, it's important to acknowledge that it may not be suitable for everyone. During the program, I encountered individuals who realized that flying wasn't their calling after enrolling.

I am currently working toward obtaining a commercial pilot license. This journey will require a considerable amount of time in the span of around 1.5 to 2 years. The associated costs are substantial, reaching approximately $100,000 for tuition and requiring a minimum of 1,500 flight hours. I am actively seeking scholarship and support from U.S. airlines and negotiating with American, Delta, and Alaska Airlines. They offer some scholarships, although not enough to cover living expenses and tuition.

I am also planning to start my own family and getting married, and these scholarships would not be enough for a family life. Working as a truck driver has proven to be a great opportunity, allowing me to save up some money. This financial cushion will serve as a significant booster for my next career goal of becoming a commercial pilot for a major airline. I find this career path immensely enjoyable, and I appreciate the sense of responsibility it entails.” 

Overall, Anvar found the United States to be a land of opportunities with ample room for career progression:

While there are challenges, the United States offers numerous advantages, notably in terms of career mobility, which is often more rapid compared to European countries. Personally, I achieved a supervisory role after just four months of working as a lifeguard in America. In contrast, in Sweden, it took me two years to experience a modest career progression.

The United States truly is a land of opportunity ('orzular diyori'). Things that seemed impossible in Uzbekistan, such as becoming a pilot, were surprisingly achievable in the United States, making it a place where dreams can come true.

Advice to Immigrants from Uzbekistan

As a parting thought, Anvar advised new immigrants to prioritize learning at least basic English and to adopt a more open-minded worldview instead of adhering strictly to their conservative perspective. It is worth noting that a majority of Uzbekistan immigrants (57%) are not proficient in English (don't speak English, don't speak English well, and speak English well), while the remaining 43% are proficient (speak English only and speak English very well):

“For immigrants from Uzbekistan, I would offer a couple of pieces of advice. First, mastering basic English is crucial. I often assist Uzbek individuals with banking or legal services and witness their challenges in meeting basic daily needs due to language barriers.

Second, it's important for Uzbeks to broaden their mindset and embrace a different world view. Some immigrants become overly fixated on rapid wealth accumulation without fully grasping the challenges involved. It's essential to understand that financial success may take time.

I currently reside in Cincinnati, Ohio, where a vibrant Uzbek diaspora contributes to the local community. I appreciate the excellent services available, including diverse restaurants, which contribute to a comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle. At the same time, I have observed instances where Uzbek families bring patriarchal and conservative customs with them. For example, some men may not grant rights to their wives or permit them to pursue education, continuing practices from Uzbekistan. It's crucial to adapt to the different societal norms and values present in the United States for a smoother integration into the new environment.”

Note: Unless noted differently, all statistics here come from IPUMS USA: Version 12.0 [American Community Survey (ACS) 2016-2020 5 year averages and the United States, 1850-2020]. Minneapolis, MN: IPUMS, 2022. https://doi.org/10.18128/D010.V12.0

Bibliography

Central Intelligence Agency. 2024. “Uzbekistan - The World Factbook.” The World Factbook.

IPUMS NHGIS. n.d. “National Historical Geographic Information System.” Retrieved February 28, 2024 (https://www.nhgis.org).

IPUMS USA. 2020. “2016-2020, ACS 5-Year Sample.” Retrieved November 17, 2023 (https://usa.ipums.org/usa/sda/).

U.S. Department of State. 2023. “Diversity Visa Program Statistics.” Retrieved November 21, 2023 (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-program-statistics.html).