– Oscar, tell us about where you lived and did before coming to Austin?
My wife and I lived in Brownsville before moving to Austin. I used to work as a substitute teacher. We lived in Austin for two years. Our daughter was born here, but a year and a half ago we returned to Brownsville to be closer to family.
– How did you end up in Austin?
One day we visited Austin on vacation and fell in love with the city. We decided that we wanted to live here. After 8 months we packed up our things and furniture, and moved.
– What did you do in Austin?
In Austin, my wife and I worked as teachers. I taught Spanish, she taught English. So the idea to create our own online school was born.
– How is your relationship with your homeland developing?
We often travel to Mexico for any medical reasons, to visit our families, and to get together for the holidays with our relatives.
– What cultural characteristics and habits from your pre-American life do you still engage in?
We often eat Mexican food. We love tacos! We keep in touch with our family in Mexico, and we get together as soon as possible. Actually, my family moved to America when I was 12 years old and I grew up on the border. Before we moved, I studied in America and often traveled with my parents and sister in Texas.
My hometown, Matamoros, is 15 minutes from Brownsville. Therefore, I did not have to make any major life changes after moving. When we moved to America, it didn’t feel like moving to another country.
– How has your lifestyle changed after you moved to Texas?
I saw less of my family back in Mexico. I had to get used to the American education system. For example, we were not allowed to speak Spanish and were punished for it. When we lived in Mexico, my parents owned our house, and in America everything was on credit. In youth culture, there was a huge divide between people who grew up in America and those who, like me, moved here.
– How would you like to help the Russian-speaking commune?
I love languages – both learning and teaching. In Texas, speaking Spanish is a huge plus for communication and career. I would like to give this opportunity to members of the Russian-speaking community through our online school “Learning Network Academics”.
– Tell us about your family.
As I mentioned, my wife is an English teacher. She works with 7th grade students. Our daughter Miroslava is 3 years old. She is fluent in 3 languages - Spanish, Russian, and English. We love to spend time together, to be active and to travel.
Contact information:
Oscar Lira
Website: https://learningnetworkacademics.business.site/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oskarliramar
Tel: 737-206-0504
Email: oscar.lira@learningnetworkacademics.com