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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 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 -
Interview of Natalie Neighbors
Natalie Neighbors (pseudonym) is a 33 year old Western German Native who grew up and lived in Germany for 29 years. She attended the University of Mainz and earned a Master’s Degree. In 2007 she met an American Airman that was stationed in Germany at Ramstein AF Base. They had a daughter, moved to RAF Alconbury, England in 2009, and married in 2010. In 2013, Natalie’s husband received orders to move to Fort Meade, Maryland that prompted her to obtain her green card. While three months pregnant with her second child, Natalie moved her daughter, dog, and all their belongings to Maryland where her husband was waiting for them. Natalie tells a story of experiencing culture shock and missing her native German customs. Her family has to find a balance between the differences in her German culture and her husband’s American culture while raising two dual German and American citizen children. -
Interview of Tenzin Dolma
This interview between Dolma Gazan and Tenzin Dolma explores Tenzin's experiences as an immigrant to the United States from Tibet. The interview traces Tenzin's experiences in Tibet and growing up under Chinese occupation, and her escape through Nepal and to India, and ultimately her journey to the U.S.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course THET428V (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. -
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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 Bebe Lila Spooner Melville
This interview between Bebe Lila Spooner Melville and Hannah Fields explores Melville's experiences as an immigrant to the United States from Guyana. As a teacher and government employee, Lila witnessed the racial and political conflict that enveloped her country and eventually forced her to leave as part of a mass exodus in the early 1980s.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 428M (Spring 2019). 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 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 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 Norma
This interview between Kendall Ohm and Norma (pseudonym) explores Norma’s experience as an immigrant to the United States from Mexico City. When Norma was just one year old, her family relocated to California to join her father who had been working in the country. When she was eight, they returned to Mexico City, citing a desire to be closer to the rest of their extended family. After middle school, they again relocated to the United States-this time to Rockville, Maryland-because her father could no longer find sustainable work in Mexico. This interview investigates the challenges that Norma faced throughout her childhood, and exemplifies the unique experience she brings to the discussion on the immigrant experience.
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.