Polina Pak, instructional assistant in the English department, grew up in poverty-stricken Uzbekistan.

According to Pak, though both of her parents worked to support the family, they still struggled financially.

“We were kind of on the verge of poverty,” said Pak. “A lot of times I would open up the fridge and there would be nothing in it.”

Pak said that when she was about five years old, she lost her first tooth. Upon waking up the next morning with money under her pillow, there was no breakfast. When Pak realized what her parents had done for her, she gave the money to her mother to buy bread for the family.

While Pak was in Uzbekistan, her grandmother found ways for Pak to stay busy by enrolling her in dance classes.

When Pak was nine years old, she immigrated to America. Throughout her childhood, she grew up trying to transition from the vast cultural and economical differences she experienced such as learning English, starting school in America and making new friends.

Pak said there were both financial and political reasons to move to America. As the conflict between the Muslims and Russians escalated, she said it became too dangerous to live in Uzbekistan. She said a bomb exploded near her school.

Pak said that as a young girl she enjoyed ballet, but as she grew older she developed a true passion for ballroom dancing. After starting to learn how to dance in Uzbekistan, Pak continued to practice after moving to America.

Pak and her family eventually received a green card, which allowed them to move to America.

“[The transition to America] was a rough awakening into adulthood because my mom took it really badly, so I kind of had to be the adult,” said Pak. “I was also the translator for most of [the trip] because I learned English faster than my parents.”

Senior Toby Klein said she and Pak developed a special relationship from working in the Academic Resource Center (ARC) together. The first time the two met, Klein said she approached Pak and asked what her accent was. After that, a “sister-like” relationship started to develop from ARC tutoring.

“I think her honesty is one thing [that makes her a great teacher]” said Klein.  “She’s not afraid to carry across a strong message, but do it in a manner that people are really able to receive.”