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Interview of Anto Meliksetian
This interview of Anto Meliksetian, a Syrian immigrant to the United States, explores how Anto copes with the Syrian refugee crisis through performance art. Anto discusses his experiences leaving Aleppo, Syria to come to the United States for college, and reflects upon the continuing crisis in Syria, education, imaginings of America, and cultural differences in food and social practices.
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 Huaying Chen
This interview of Huaying Chen, a Chinese immigrant to the United States, details Huaying's early life in China following the Cultural Revolution. Huaying discusses Chinese politics, education, and the 1989 student movement and Tiananmen Massacre. She also discusses the culture shock she experienced when moving to the United States.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course THET489V (Spring 2018). This course was led by Professor Esther Lee of the Theater Department, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies. -
Interview of Ramchandra Rao
This interview between Ajay R. Mysore and Ramchandra Rao explores Rao's experiences as an immigrant to the United States from India. Rao moved to the United States in 1969 following a fascination with America’s economic freedom and a sense of boyish adventure. He was not particularly active in cultural life in India, but upon moving to the States, his sense of identity became increasingly tied with his ‘Indian-ness’. He has succeeded in raising a family here and been a proponent of the chain migration that allowed much of his family to settle here. In this interview, Rao discusses his journey to America, the values he holds dear and some wise words on how to succeed in America.
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.
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Interview of Anabel Teixeira
This interview between Nicole Kerr and Anabel Teixeira explores Teixeira's experiences as an immigrant to the United States from Brazil. The majority of oral history interviews focus on the experiences of immigrants who choose to become citizens of the United States. This interview follows an alternate route; it examines the effects of automatic acquisition of citizenship, specifically on the experience of a 21-year-old Brazilian immigrant named Anabel Teixeira.
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 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 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 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 Anastasiya Lyudkivich
This interview between Kayla Gibson and Anastasiya Lyudkivich explores Lyudkivich's experience immigrating to the U.S. with her family as a child and her shared Russian and American cultural identities.
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 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 Immigrant from Sri Lanka
[Name Redacted] is a 19 year old first generation Sri-Lankan Immigrant. Sinhalese, Buddhist and Queer by birth, he’s lived a largely happy life despite feeling like an outsider in the places they should feel at home. This transcript details some of his life experiences and the formation of a rich and complex identity informed by a vast array of life-events. Specifically, the narrative focuses on their decision and process of coming and living in United States. Initially, he came to America seeking an education but in many ways he has found acceptance and a place that he belongs. This process has greatly influenced his life and how he relates to history.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST428M: "Foreigners as Citizens: Recording Oral Histories of Immigration" (Fall 2015). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the History Department, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for the New America