Browse Items (36 total)
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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 Philippe Dessauw
This interview of Philippe Dessauw, a French immigrant to the United States, explores various topics including family, stereotypes, friendships, and employment. Philippe discusses cultural differences between France and the U.S., his work as a software engineer, and the use of technology to retain relationships with family and friends.
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 Dysia Sobol
This interview between Angelina Dirina and Dysia Sobol explores Sobol's experiences as an immigrant to the United States from Azerbaijan/Russia.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course IMMR400 (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 "Monica Geller"
This interview between Austin Kleber and "Monica Geller" (pseudonym) explores Monica's experience as an immigrant in the United States. She speaks about the cultural differences she had to navigate as well as the isolation and sadness that accompanied her move into a new country and new community. -
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 Nico Alvarez
This interview between Nico Alvarez and Dercem (Derc) Kaya explores Nico's experiences migrating as a child from Spain the United States. Nico discusses his experiences in school, his observations on cultural differences between Spain and the U.S., his parents' careers (which brought them to the U.S.), and the decision and ability to stay in the U.S. once his family moved back to Spain.
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 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 Ana Saravia
This interview between Elvira Nnodimand Ana Saravia explores her experience as an immigrant from El Salvador. Ana speaks about the stark contrast of her life here in America compared to that of El Salvador. In her native country, she really couldn’t pursue education like she wanted to and also was not given much guidance by the people close to her. Here in America, she is grateful that there are many ways to advance yourself and that there is lots of support for women who have fallen on hard times or need help.
This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course IMMR 400 (Spring 2020). This course was led by Professor Robert Chiles of the Department of History, 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 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.