Spring 2021 Interviews
- Title
- Spring 2021 Interviews
Dublin Core
Collection Items
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Interview of Yan Sa Firorini
This interview between Cristopher Fiorini and Yan Sa Fiorini follows the experiences of Yan throughout her upbringing within The People Republic of China’s infamous Cultural Revolution and her life as an immigrant to the United States. Growing up in a working-class family in Shanghai, Yan had her education delayed due to the Cultural Revolution. She later migrated to the United States at the age of 20, living in several different cities while exploring what America had to offer. Yan gives her perspective on several different topics including American and Chinese culture, the political situation of her youth, how she adapted to cultural changes, as well as the meaning of community involvement to her.
***This interview is restricted to the University of Maryland College Park's campus. For more information, contact the Center for Global Migration Studies (globalmigration@umd.edu).***
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 428M (Spring 2021). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Margot Naessan
The video of this interview can be found here.
This interview between Shelly Justement and Margot Naessan explores Margot’s life and her immigration to the United States from Norway in 1992. Margot was born in Telemark, Norway in 1967. In this interview, Margot discusses her family and childhood in Norway, her reason for moving to Maryland, her family and career, and her community of Norwegian friends in the United States. Margot’s interview focuses on cultural comparisons between Norway and the United States, and briefly touches on Vietnamese culture from her ex-husband’s family. Margot also discusses the impact that the COVID pandemic has had on her experience as an immigrant in the United States.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 428M (Spring 2021). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Rima Assake
This interview between Maya Assaker and Rima Assaker discusses her life as a child and into adulthood, regarding her experiences in Beirut, Lebanon before and during their civil war in 1975. When she was eight years old, her family finally left their country and immigrated to the DMV in the United States. Rima focuses a lot on her perspective as a child in war, and later shares what it is like to try and assimilate to US culture as an obvious foreigner. She describes how her two cultures clashed. She highlights the importance of finding a sense of community and being proud of one’s culture.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 428M (Spring 2021). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Stella Averbukh
This interview between Elana Morris and Stella Averbukh explores Averbukh’s experiences as a Jewish refugee emigrating to the United States in 1992 from the Soviet Union. Averbukh discusses her first few months adjusting to American culture, as well as the jobs she and her family took to make money, including working at a movie theater and as a parking attendant. Averbukh’s interview recalls the experience of learning English as an introvert, the expectations she had of the United States before her emigration, the role of systemic antisemitism in the Soviet Union as an obstacle to success, and the sacrifices she and her parents made for future generations. During the interview, Stella’s (I believe) daughter was singing; listeners might be able to hear her voice in the background.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 428M (Spring 2021). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Clara (Pseudonym)
This interview between Nicholas Sanzone and Clara [pseudonym] explores Clara’s experiences as a Chinese resident in the United States on a Student Visa. She talks about her first sixteen years in China before taking two trips to the United States, in 2012. Both trips left a deep impression on her; especially about what Westerners think. She recollects the process of coming to the United States, what her Undergraduates school was like at Emory University and John’s Hopkins University, and the work or internship opportunities she took on after earning her degree. She explored a variety of fields in her time here from 2014-2020. Her main reason for coming to the United States was for education and a new world which she reflects upon. Later, she returned to China in 2020 and began teaching in her community. She and most of her family still reside in China today.
***This interview is restricted to the University of Maryland College Park's campus. For more information, contact the Center for Global Migration Studies (globalmigration@umd.edu).***
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 428M (Spring 2021). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of J.D. (Pseudonym)
This interview conducted between Devin O’Neill and J.D. explores J.D.'s experiences as an immigrant coming to the United States from Colombia. J.D. grew up in Colombia and decided to come to America as a part of his overall journey. He recounts experiences of mistreatment, struggles he had to undergo to survive in a new place, other trials and tribulations. J.D. presents his life in a more upbeat tone as he recounts his past experiences. He talks about his family in Colombia, education, trade work, his new life in America and much more. J.D. expresses how lucky he is to have done so well for himself and is proud of his journey.
***This interview is restricted to the University of Maryland College Park's campus. For more information, contact the Center for Global Migration Studies (globalmigration@umd.edu).***
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 428M (Spring 2021). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Fucheng Li
This interview with Fucheng Li goes over his life experiences as an immigrant to the United States from Guangdong, China. Fucheng immigrated to the U.S. in 2012 at the age of 12, after his father immigrated to the U.S. 25 years prior due to a work opportunity. A major part of Fucheng’s life has been schooling, so he discusses the differences in education between China and the U.S. In addition, his past life in China allows him to comment on cultural and societal norms/practices surrounding his community in China. His experiences as an immigrant may be applicable to and even assist other immigrant children adapting to life in the United States, especially those who do not have a comprehensive grasp on English.
***This interview is restricted to the University of Maryland College Park's campus. For more information, contact the Center for Global Migration Studies (globalmigration@umd.edu).***
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 428M (Spring 2021). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Betty Simarmata
This interview between Duany Philip and Betty Simarmata goes into the
experiences of Betty, an Indonesian immigrant that has lived in the United States ever since 2004. Although Betty had to overcome challenges when coming to the United States, her experiences in Indonesia gave her the strength to move despite the major differences in culture, people, and lifestyle. Her upbringing in plantation farms, living in the city of Medan, Bandung, and even Jakarta have shaped her identity as a proud Indonesian to this day. Her story emphasizes how culture is important to an immigrant’s life because it gives a sense of identity of who you are and where you come from.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 428M (Spring 2021). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Long Van Le and Tuyet Phoung Thi Ha
Presented here are the transcripts of two interviews. The first is between David Le and his father Long Van Le and the second is between David Le and his mother, Tuyet Phuong Thi Ha. David interviews each of his parents about their experiences in Vietnam and the United States, exploring childhood, family, feelings, adjustment, and how they got to America. They demonstrate how two people from the same place can experience their journeys as immigrants quite differently.
***This interview is restricted to the University of Maryland College Park's campus. For more information, contact the Center for Global Migration Studies (globalmigration@umd.edu).***
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 428M (Spring 2021). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Zheng Gu
This interview between Wuyang Zhao and Zheng Gu explores Zheng Gu's experiences as an immigrant to the United States from China. Zheng Gu is a Chinese American; he arrived the United States as an international student to finish his Doctor's degree in 1993. He recounts his experiences of growing up in China, working hard to finish his master’s degree in China, and how he overcame lots of problems including the language barrier, culture differences, and changes of lifestyle after he arrived America. In America, he worked and studied, and he adopted American culture.
***This interview is restricted to the University of Maryland College Park's campus. For more information, contact the Center for Global Migration Studies (globalmigration@umd.edu).***
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 428M (Spring 2021). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies.