Family values: Why a U.S. kindergarten director moved to… Russia!
Why the large Rose family decided to move to Moscow in February 2022.
American Joseph Stephen Rose, his wife Svetlana and their five children flew to Moscow in mid-February 2022. A director by education, he started a YouTube channel called ‘EXPAT American’ about a Yankee's life among Russians, which has already gained tens of thousands of subscribers.
Why did they leave the U.S.?
“I was born in 1974; the U.S. back then was similar to today's Russia,” Joseph says.
“Unfortunately, the United States is now moving away from traditional family values. That's a big mistake, in my opinion. It psychologically and physically damages children, because they need order and discipline.”
Joseph with kids in the U.S.
Joseph's paternal ancestors were Russian emigrants, who moved to New York in 1898. So, in a sense, he was always interested in Russia. But, most importantly, Joseph's wife is Russian. And she was very homesick after 10 years of living in the U.S.
The American's Russian wife
Joseph and Svetlana in Kolomna (an old city 100 km from Moscow).
Svetlana and Joseph met thanks to their mutual friends, who introduced them to each other. At first, they communicated online via video call and felt they had a lot in common and that they were related souls. So, one day, Svetlana flew to the U.S. to meet Joseph and they decided to continue the relationship.
Svetlana understood that Joseph was unlikely to move to Russia, as he already had two children and his own business, a private kindergarten. But, she worked online, so she decided to stay with him.
First impression on Russia
Joseph first visited Russia in 2012, even before Svetlana moved in with him.
“I went to Moscow with my father. And right there on the plane in the air, I read in a reputable American magazine that, if you are traveling to Russia from Western countries, the intelligence services would probably spy on you and record all your conversations.”
Joseph in Peterhof.
Joseph was seriously frightened and constantly thought about what was safe to say and what was not, even though he saw the kindness and responsiveness of the people around him.
One thing that struck him almost immediately was that he never felt any negativity: “Russians don't blame an ordinary American for what Washington does. They are wise enough to separate these things.”
Knowledge Day in a Moscow school, 2025. Joseph, Svetlana, and their sons Maxim (younger) and Christoff.
So, has the American become a little Russian over the years? Joseph admits that he started wearing slippers at home and opening doors for his wife, although this isn't customary in the U.S.
“In the U.S., we used to have small talks about the weather, nature and generally avoid sensitive topics. In Russia, people are deeper in communication and more straightforward. That is, in Russia, it's honesty first, then politeness, while, in the U.S., it's the opposite. I have definitely become more straightforward and open here!”
YouTube channel about Russia
According to Joseph, modern Americans believe Hollywood films and imagine Russia as a dark, scary, cold place inhabited by big, strong, bad guys.
Debunking these myths and comparing life in the U.S. and Russia is the main agenda of Joseph's YouTube channel. And it’s already gained over 80,000 subscribers.
Blogger Joseph Rose filming a video about vacation on the Black Sea coast in Tuapse.
“I compare delivery services in Russia and the U.S., the subway there and here or show how people vacation in Black Sea resorts. But, there are more serious topics, as well. Most importantly, I want to show Americans that, in Russia, normal people live normal lives, they have the same hopes, dreams and we don't need to be against each other.”
Joseph and his wife also travel extensively around the country: Nizhny Novgorod, Tula, Volgograd, Vyborg, to name a few places, so he has plenty of material for new episodes.
Helping other immigrants
Joseph and Svetlana recently opened a center to help immigrants from Western countries. They help with proper documentation, learning Russian, finding jobs and even deal with everyday issues, like finding a doctor.
The couple receives 20-25 letters daily from foreigners wishing to become part of the Russian world.
“People want their children to live in a healthy society, without the negative influence present in the West today. Retirees are also eager to come. They remember America from half a century ago and cannot accept the changes that have happened. Although people are moving not only from the States, but from Canada and Europe, too. People are interested in the world situation, they read the news and see that Russia is on the right side of history. Russians want to live in peace, building bridges of friendship with other nations!”
The full version of the interview is available (in Russian) on the 'Nation' magazine’s website.
