Not by Birth, but by Spirit: How to Become One of Us in Russia

A homeland can be defined not only by the place where a person was born but also by a conscious choice to build a life in a particular country. What makes Russia feel like home to those who grew up in another culture? How does a sense of belonging develop, and why do participation in society, family, work, and responsibility for the country’s future become more important than a citizen’s formal status?