Hi, I am Masha and I left my hometown in 2013 to study, work, travel, and just live the life! I’ve lived in Russia, Bali, Argentina, and now Thailand — this is honest writing for women without a fixed home, navigating immigration, money, and belonging.
The Journey of Masha from She Is An Immigrant
I am currently based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, but my journey started long ago!
Year 1991 – 2013
I grew up in a small village outside a Russian industrial city, with a routine set up diligently by my parents. I went to a French school with arts and French major, to a pedagogical university, and the whole life was modeled based on parents’ advice.
It was hard at times as this influence would ooze into friendships and freedom. Living in a village means you can’t stay overnight at your friends’, you don’t go wild, you don’t build strong friendships. It feels lonely and isolated. I was desperate to get out of that cycle.
Year 2013
In 2012, I studied in France to pass DALF C1 exam, and that same year I visited Thailand for the first time – I was in awe! I knew there is SOMETHING out there for me.
Next year, I graduated from Pedagogical University in Chelyabinsk, Russia, and moved to Saint Petersburg to study literature in a French college branch in Russia partly to avoid the carreer my parents chose for me, partly because I wanted to explore new places
Five years in Saint Petersburg were fantastic! Beautiful relationships, people, hobbies, and independence.
Year 2018
In 2018, I moved to Sochi, started my own business and took a deep dive into personal growth with numerous training programs.
In 2019, I had my first 7-day-long hiking trip along mountain ridges in Crimea that turned into 30 days of backpacking the South of this peninsula.
Year 2020-2025
In 2020, I moved to Bali, where I met my partner. It was my first immigration experience with all the visa/residency/tax hurdles. Together we traveled around SEA.
Year 2025
In 2025 starts the next chapter of my immigration journey – I am in Argentina as a digital nomad! Traveling to Mendoza, Salta, Bariloche and neighbouring countries like Brazil, Peru, Asuncion, and Uruguay.
Year 2026
Plans didn’t work out and we chose to go back to Thailand as we were happy to be approved for DTV visa.