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Interview of Violeta Rivas.
In this oral history interview, Violeta Rivas discusses her experience as an American immigrant. Born in Nicaragua in 1960, Violeta and her husband came to the U.S. in 1984 to escape the Sandinista regime and to build a new life. Thirty years later, they are still here. Although Violeta had originally intended to return to Nicaragua, she and her family stayed, and throughout the course of the interview, she displays an acute awareness of her life in retrospect. Leaving her home was a sacrifice, but she did it for her family; every obstacle she faced and every cultural barrier she had to overcome was for her family. That is the essence of the interview, and throughout the course of this oral history, Violeta guides her listeners through the things that matter the most to her: religion, tradition, and moral values. Violeta’s story is not just one of many Central American immigrant narratives; it is a part of a whole, and without it, the picture is not complete. -
Interview of Murali
This interview between Erin Durham and Murali (pseudonym) explores Murali's experiences as an immigrant to the United States from Sri Lanka. This oral history documents the experiences of Murali (pseudonym), a Sri Lankan Tamil, who sought asylum in the United States in 2001. Murali recounts his experiences of growing up in Colombo, Sri Lanka, during the civil war, and experiencing bomb threats on a weekly basis. He discusses his experience traveling to Miami and applying for asylum. Murali describes the discrimination and challenges he faced after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the six-year legal process of gaining permanent residency in the United States. Murali discusses the Sri Lankan conflict, Tamil and Sinhalese identities, the role of religion in his life, his thoughts about receiving American citizenship, and his experience volunteering in Sri Lanka in 2011. Murali’s interview touches on themes of ethnic identity, and the intrinsic worth of every individual. He emphasizes the importance of not labeling or isolating refugees, but giving them the respect deserved by every human being.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST428M: "Oral History of Immigration" (Spring 2017). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the History Department, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Rosalina Santos Shipley
In this interview, Rosalina Santos Shipley explores her life and journey to the United States. Rosalina is the interviewer’s aunt. Shipley was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States on September 5, 1980 when she was twenty-one. She worked as a housekeeper at a Hampton Inn at the time of this interview. Over the course of the interview, Shipley discusses her childhood life in the Philippines, her decision to immigrate, and her first impressions and experiences in the United States.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST428M: "Oral History of Immigration" (Spring 2017). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the History Department, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Joo H. Moon
This interview of Joo H. Moon, South Korean immigrant who moved to the United States when he was nine, focuses on his childhood experiences prior to and after immigrating to the U.S. Joo discusses cultural differences between the United States and South Korea, as well as the role of religion in his life.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST428M: "Oral History of Immigration" (Spring 2018). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the History Department, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Faizah Haddad
This interview between Anthony Hassan and Faizah Haddad follows the life of Faizah as she grew up as a Catholic girl in apredominantly Islamic nation of Jordan and her immigration to 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 2020). 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 Antonia Sfiriou
This interview between Antonio Palas and Antonia Sfiriou is a comprehensive look at the experiences of Antonia as a female immigrant to the United States from Greece. Born on a small Aegean island, Antonia was brought to the United States by her parents when she was very young. She details her story of leaving Greece and settling in a Greek neighborhood in Baltimore, her struggles to learn English, her ambitions to enter the healthcare profession, and the obstacles that she faced to attain her dream. Antonia’s interview shines light on the attitudes and beliefs of Greek culture on women. She recounts how her story fit and broke the mold on women assembled by Greek 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.