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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 John Zhang
This interview between Nicholas Banai and John Zhang explores John's experiences as an immigrant to the United States from China. At 18 years old, John traveled from Zhuhai to the University of California, Davis to get his bachelor's degree. Now a graduate student at the University of Maryland, John discusses his conversion to Christianity and the differences between China and the United States.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST428M (Spring 2019). 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 Pastor Gloria Cline-Smythe
This interview between Katie Evans and Pastor Gloria Cline-Smythe explores Cline-Smythe's experiences as an immigrant to the United States from Sierra Leone. Pastor Gloria Cline-Smythe talks about her life before she left Sierra Leone in 1991. She rose through local government and eventually became city manager of Freetown, the capital Sierra Leone. Family plays a major role throughout her story. She talks about her younger siblings as if they were her own. Later on, her son and future grandson were the reasons why she came to the United States. Another major theme throughout her interview was the role of religion in her life. Religion was a key part of her life growing up, and this is something she continues as a local Lutheran pastor. Pastor Gloria’s story is an enthralling journey told through themes like religion, family, and African culture.
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 Julio Cerón
This interview between Montana Monardes and Julio Cerón explores Cerón's experiences as an immigrant to the United States from El Salvador
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course THET428I (Spring 2017). This course was led by Professor Esther Lee of the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Penelope Costas
This interview between Iliana Papanicolaou and Penelope Costas explores Costas' experiences as an immigrant to the United States from Greece.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course THET428I (Spring 2017). This course was led by Professor Esther Lee of theSchool of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Azhena Abraham
This interview between Lauren Wise and Azhena Abraham explores Abraham's experience as an immigrant to the United States from Albania.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course IMMR400 (Spring 2016). This course was led by Professor Thomas Castillo of the History Department, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies (formerly the Center for the History of the New America). -
Interview of Vivian Ojo
The interview conducted was of Vivian Ojo, a senior in 2014 at Georgetown University. Originally from Windhoek, Namibia, Vivian came to the United States to attend college. Vivian discusses her desire to pursue higher education, the ways in which her choice to attend college and immigrate to the United States were influenced by her parents, and the new opportunities that have opened up as a result of her move to America. Throughout the interview, Vivian talks about individual development, globalization, and the role that religion played (and continues to play) in her transnational identity. Stephanie Saldana (the interviewer) and Vivian worked together in 2014 as interns on the ONE Campaign, a non-profit organization that advocates to alleviate poverty and hunger in Africa.








