1 10 42 https://www.phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/51071326598691bce831bbfb657d543b.jpg 33f5a62c19f8311cebed194a333ec1f1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Philadelphia Immigration Project Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Janneken Smucker Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Hayfaa Ibrahem Abdulqadar OHMS Object https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh1478_irw0093_ohm.xml Interview Keyword Refugees Nationalities Service Center Healthcare Husbands Family Citizenship Relationships Marriage OHMS Object Text 5.4 2019oh1478_irw0093 Interview with Hayfaa Ibrahem Abdulqadar, March 23, 2019 2019oh1478_irw0093 irw I Remember When: Times Gone But Not Forgotten Oral History Project Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Emigration and immigration. Families. Immigrants Philadelphia (Pa.) Iraq Jordan Iraq War, 2003-2011. Careers. Baghdad (Iraq) Refugees Nationalities Service Center Healthcare Husbands Family Citizenship Relationships Marriage Hayfaa Ibrahem Abdulqadar Janneken Smucker 2019oh1478_irw0093_abduqdar_acc001.mp3 0 https://nunncenter.aviaryplatform.com/embed/media/104646 Aviary audio 1 Introductions / Immigration to the United States This is Janneken Smucker and today is, uh--what is today? The interviewer and narrator discuss the time, place, participants of the interview session, and pronunciation of each other's names. Hayfaa Ibrahem Abdulqadar recalls leaving Iraq with her husband, Bajhat Abdulwahed, adult daughter, Rawnak, and her two grandchildren, Elaf and Aya, in 2005 to Jordan, escaping the Iraq War that started in 2003. After fleeing Iraq, the family heard that the United Nations offered asylum to Iraqi refugees while the United States accepted their immigration. Her daughter told Ibrahem Abdulqadar to apply for refugee status. As a result, Ibrahem Abdulqadar and her husband provided information on their jobs as a television news announcer and anchor and their experience in Iraq to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees interviewers. Asylum ; Iraq ; Iraq War ; Iraqi immigration ; Jordan ; Names ; Refugees ; United Nations Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 0 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/6b43de1413da75b93f3de9b366aec0d3.jpg Portrait of Hayfaa Ibrahem Abduqdar in her apartment in Philadelphia after having a meal with Janneken Smucker on April 15, 2019. 249 Accepted as refugees / Arriving in the United States Uh, as I remember, in, uh, in, oh, August--not, not in August, in, uh, December--in November, in November we have the telephone ring. Ibrahem Abdulqadar remembers that on November 17, 2009, her husband took a call announcing that they may move to the United States as refugees within two days. She expresses how important the day was because they had waited for five years for this news. The couple gathered their belongings as quickly as they could and left to an airport in Jordan to await transport to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City where they traveled to their assigned housing in Philadelphia with the help of immigration service movers. Ibrahem Abdulqadar recalls her husband's surprise that the movers provided him a working oxygen machine due to his respiratory problem. After arriving in Philadelphia three hours later, the movers welcomed the family to their new home as Americans. Immigration journey ; John F. Kennedy Airport ; Jordan ; New York City (N.Y.) ; Refugees Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 0 540 New home, new garden, new neighbors So, what was your new home like? Ibrahem Abdulqadar recalls, when exploring her new home in Philadelphia, she found a patch of land for gardening and neighbors speaking Arabic languages. Abdulwahed questioned if they were truly in Philadelphia because of the similar features to Jordan and Iraq, such as the garden and language. After reviewing their new furniture, the immigration service workers explained the couple will receive food stamps as they become acquainted with their new lifestyle in Philadelphia. Arabic ; Arrival ; Community ; Foodstamps ; Gardening ; Housing ; Nationalities Service Center ; Neighbors ; Settlement Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 0 677 A trip to the supermarket / A new house So did you go to a supermarket-- Ibrahem Abdulqadar recalls going to the supermarket for the first time to buy foodstuffs. After eating their cooked meal, they met one of their neighbors who explained to them there are many stores around where they live and will tell them more information later. On their second day living in Philadelphia, Ibrahem Abdulqadar remembers that immigration service workers drove by to taxi her to governmental buildings to obtain social security numbers, passports, and prepare for interviews. The pair lived in their first house in Philadelphia for a year, supplied with oxygen tanks and medicine for her husband. Looking for a spacious house for her husband to live comfortably in, they moved to Bustleton Avenue with their furniture and declared it their new home. She recalls informing their daughter, who was still in Jordan, that they were happy in Philadelphia. Cooking ; Food ; Foodstamps ; Supermarkets Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 0 952 Her husband's declining health And, uh, uh, after that, my husband's li--health been less and less. Not so good. Ibrahem Abdulqadar recounts that, after moving into her new home on Bustleton Ave, her husband's health declined. Later admitted to Doylestown Hospital, Abdulwahed's doctor told Ibrahem Abdulqadar that he had to stay. Although Bajhat was optimistic as he saw immediate medical care, he still wanted her beside him as he didn't want to be alone. She stayed with him, learning more about his declining health and helping him communicate through writing. He wrote on a chalk board that he wanted his daughter in Jordan to to be with him. With help from his doctor, she was able to visit her father. Bajhat Abdulwahed ; Death ; Doylestown Hospital ; Healthcare Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 40.305753, -75.146227 13 Doylestown Hospital http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/d62e058b5dc3d8e7f3464a323624a2df.jpg Portrait of Rawnak, Hayfaa Ibrahem Abduqdar's daughter in her mother's apartment in Philadelphia. 1430 Visiting her husband in the hospital / Daughter visits from Jordan After that, we returned home and we say--she stayed--the first time she came she stayed around one month. Although Abdulwahed's health stabilized during his daughter's one month stay, he was later admitted to immediate medical care prompting his daughter to return to the United States over the course of two weeks for his passing. Before this, she tried to bring her two daughters with her, but, due to travel laws in Jordan, they were unable to travel with her mother. Bajhat Abdulwahed ; Jordan ; Travel restrictions Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 0 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/59408416b98c192f28ecf03ba9fe7ab7.jpg Portrait of Hayfaa Ibrahem Abduqdar's with her grandaughters. From left to right: Hayfaa, Aya, and Elaf. 1615 Her husband's voice and Walter Cronkite We were happy really, our life it was nice. Ibrahem Abdulqadar recalls Abdulwahed and she having many friendships while in Philadelphia. One of these friends was the artist Michael Rakowitz who they met during the &quot ; Radio Silence&quot ; event in Philadelphia in April 2018 where narrative, poetry, and music, in English and Arabic explores the diaspora felt by Iraqi refugees and immigrants. In the radio broadcast, Rakowitz commented that Abdulwahed's voice was similar to Walter Cronkite, an American broadcast journalist who served as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years during the 1960s and '70s. Even when her husband passed in 2016, she reassured her friends that Abdulwahed was happy and never alone in Philadelphia. Michael Rakowitz ; Mural Arts Philadelphia ; Philadelphia Broadcast ; Radio Silence ; Radios ; Relationships ; Walter Cronkite Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Radio broadcasters 0 https://www.muralarts.org/artworks/radio-silence/ &quot ; Radio Silence: A soundscape of the Iraqi diaspora in Philadelphia,&quot ; Mural Arts Philadelphia. Artist Michael Rakowitz and curator Elizabeth Thomas launched a seven-episode radio broadcast which involved Bajhat and Hayfaa. 1756 Road to citizenship before her husband's hospitalization And we have our citizenship. Ibrahem Abdulqadar recounts, before her husband's health declined severely, she and her husband obtaining their United States citizenship. Bajhat wanted to experience the process of gaining citizenship, and so Ibrahem Abdulqadar studied for the citizenship test with him. During the citizenship interview when their teacher called Ibrahem Abdulqadar and her husband's names, she received instructions to answer 7 of 10 questions on the citizenship test correctly to pass. Both Hayfaa and her husband passed the test, elated that they now were United States citizens. Citizenship ; Citizenship ceremony ; Citizenship tests ; Studying Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 0 1983 The importance of citizenship Why, why was it important for you to become an American citizen? Ibrahem Abdulqadar notes that citizenship was important to her husband and her as they found kinship and pride in living in the United States and socializing with their neighbors. Although Abdulwahed died without fulfilling his goal of establishing a new career in Philadelphia, Ibrahem Abdulqadar notes he was nonetheless happy he achieved citizenship. &quot ; The American Dream&quot ; ; Citizenship ; Reasons for citizenship ; Relationships Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 0 2112 Meeting and making new friends in Philadelphia So, you've said that you have made many friends since you came to Philadelphia. Ibrahem Abdulqadar remembers making her first friend, Susan, through the Nationalities Service Center. She turned to Susan for help settling in Philadelphia, and developed a lasting, familial friendship. Whenever Ibrahem Abdulqadar invites Susan over, she implores her to bring her two sons, who she treats as her own grandchildren, playing and laughing with them. In both her first and second Philadelphia homes, she and her husband quickly made friends with their neighbors who shared Middle Eastern heritage. Ibrahem Abdulqadar also explains that she wants her daughter and her children to move to the United States to live with her, but her daughter wants her children to learn and speak English in school before they immigrate. Friendships ; Immigration services ; Middle Eastern ; Nationalities Service Center (NSC) ; Relationships ; Susan Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 0 2367 Childhood and family in Iraq Can I ask you some questions about your life in Iraq before you came here? Ibrahem Abdulqadar believes that moving to the United States completed her life, finding peace in the United States. Born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq, Ibrahem Abdulqadar remembers small bits of her childhood, typically triggered by meeting old friends from Baghdad whenever they visit her. She remembers that her school was nearby her childhood home. Her family consisted of her parents, four girls, and one boy who later became a lawyer and pianist. After living in the United States for two years, she received a phone call from her older sister telling her that their brother had died. Her older sister then passed after moving to Egypt, while the rest of her family stayed in Jordan. Baghdad, Iraq ; Death in the family ; Egypt ; Family ; Growing up ; Jordan ; Migrating ; Siblings Baghdad (Iraq) ; Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 0 2821 Nothing left in Iraq / Life during wartime All the family left-- Ibrahem Abdulqadar recalls that most of her family left Iraq because of the violence and civil turmoil seen throughout the Gulf War, Iraq War, and insurgence/religious conflicts. Although her brother stayed to retain his job as a lawyer, the rest of the family left while thieves stole their belongings. She recounts the desolation of Baghdad during wartime, with many citizens killed. This contrasted to her peaceful childhood in the city she loves. Gulf War ; Iraq ; Iraq War ; Migration journey ; Wartime Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Iraq War, 2003-2011. ; Persian Gulf War, 1991 33.3263617660652, 44.37923513242956 11 Baghdad, Iraq 2969 Secondary education in Iraq When you were young, did you--after you--you recalled primary school, did you go to, uh, secondary school also? Ibrahem Abdulqadar recounts attending a secretary school during her secondary education, learning how to speak English, type, and organize books and files. After secondary school and marriage to Abdulwahed, she went on to work as a news announcer with her husband as news anchor. Their daughter followed her mother's career and works as a news announcer in Jordan. Baghdad, Iraq ; Education ; Secondary education ; Secondary language ; Secretary schools ; Typing Baghdad (Iraq) ; Careers. ; Education, Higher ; Occupations. ; Professions. 0 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/2f1b0f8af9ed004c775c805881689833.jpg A crystal microphone award celebrating 73 years of Iraqi broadcasting at the Iraqi embassy in Washington DC given to Bajhat. Photo by Janneken Smucker. 3243 Meeting her husband / Daughter's marriage Can you tell me how you met your husband? Ibrahem Abdulqadar remembers meeting her husband for the first time while working at a news broadcasting studio. While they were married, they read the news together, having their friends tease them about their professional and personal relationship. Together, she and her husband raised their daughter, Rawnak, born in 1968, while Hayfaa continued to work in journalism. When their daughter finished college as a business and administration major, a neighbor asked Ibrahem Abdulqadar and Abdulwahed to marry their her ; at first she refused as she was only age 19. After two years, their neighbor approached them again, and Rawnak agreed to marry him. Dating ; Marriage ; News broadcasting ; Relationships Careers. ; Education, Higher ; Families. ; Marriage ; Occupations. ; Professions. 0 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/68e14daf7c8970e37aba7a5b5e0b5555.jpg Wedding photo of Hayfaa Ibrahem Bajhat and Bajhat Abdulwahed circa 1960. 3656 The Iraq wartime experience So, I know be--I've, I've studied history that then there was a lot of conflict, beginning in the 1980s with, uh, the Iran-Iraq war. Ibrahem Abdulqadar recalls leaving Iraq for Jordan before the start of the Iraq War during the summertime in 2006, taking and selling her belongings during the move. Renting a house, they waited out the war. While the war continued in 2009, they filed for refugee status with the United Nations to immigrate to the United States. Her daughter moved to Jordan first for a new job as a news announcer. They brought with them clothing, food, blankets, and other smaller items, leaving everything in Baghdad, Iraq. Drives ; GNC ; Jordan ; Migration ; Moving Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Iraq War, 2003-2011. 0 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/698510fc75df41c9daa855b4abc67408.jpg Painting of Amman, Jordan, by unknown artist, hanging in Hayfaa Ibrahem Abduqdar's Northeast Philadelphia apartment. 3948 Life in Jordan What was your life like in Jordan? What do you remember about living in Jordan? Ibrahem Abdulqadar recounts having a case of homesickness while living in an apartment in Jordan. Although enjoying the peace while living there until 2009, she and her husband made plans for immigrating to the United States under refugee status. Apartments ; Homesickness ; Jordan ; Paperwork ; Refugee status Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 31.868115285971054, 35.92975227554181 11 Amman, Jordan 4032 Arriving in Philadelphia / The familiarity and hospitality of Philadelphia When you arrived in Philadelphia, um, did the, did the people from NSC help you? Ibrahem Abdulqadar remembers workers from the Nationalities Service Center helping her move into her new house in Philadelphia, surprised to find food in the refrigerator and cooking implements in the cabinets. What she loves about Philadelphia when she arrived was the familiar lifestyle. For example, the courtesy of Philadelphians led to a kind stranger giving his seat to Abdulwahed when his health declined. Later on, a car stopped by and the driver offered them a ride to their home, which they accepted. Arrival ; Hospitality ; Nationalities Service Center ; Settlement Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 0 4346 To feel American / Learning English And you feel that you, you--you feel like an American now? When Ibrahem Abdulqadar was young and attending her English classes in school, she loved to speak English. Her brother drew her to learn American English in a class with fellow Iraqis. Her teachers noted that her pronunciation was sublime and wanted her to study the meaning behind her words. Her love of English furthered itself when she immigrated to the United States where she proudly proclaims herself as an American, speaking with other fellow Americans and forming friendships with them whether speaking English or Arabic. Finally, her bilingualism with English helped her husband receive the care he needed while in the hospital as she translated from Arabic to English. Arabic ; Bilingualism ; Education ; English as a second language ; Learning English Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 0 interview Hayfaa Ibrahem Abdulqadar shares her experiences as a refugee who fled from Baghdad, Iraq in 2005, first to Jordan, then to Philadelphia in 2009. She came to Jordan with her husband, Bajhat Abdulwahed, and her adult daughter, who is now a news announcer in Jordan. Both Hayfaa and Bajhat had worked in broadcast journalism in Baghdad. She describes their arrival in Philadelphia and how they got settled with the help of Nationalities Services Center. She recalls her husband’s illness and death. She shares some details from her life in Iraq in the 1960s and '70s, when she worked as a news announcer, was first married, and was a new mother. No transcript. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries. audio Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. 0 https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh1478_irw0093_abdulqdar_ohm.xml 2019oh1478_irw0093_abdulqdar_ohm.xml https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7m901zgq96 Indexed By Nicholas Heydeman Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Interview: Hayfaa Ibrahem Abdulqadar Description An account of the resource Hayfaa Ibrahem Abdulqadar shares her experiences as a refugee who fled from Baghdad, Iraq in 2005, first to Jordan, then to Philadelphia in 2009. She came to Jordan with her husband, Bajhat Abdulwahed, and her adult daughter, who is now a news announcer in Jordan. Both Hayfaa and Bajhat had worked in broadcast journalism in Baghdad. She describes their arrival in Philadelphia and how they got settled with the help of Nationalities Services Center. She recalls her husband’s illness and death. She shares some details from her life in Iraq in the 1960s and '70s, when she worked as a news announcer, was first married, and was a new mother. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2019oh1478_irw0093 Subject The topic of the resource Emigration and immigration. Families. Immigrants Philadelphia (Pa.) Iraq Jordan Iraq War, 2003-2011. Careers. Baghdad (Iraq) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available WCU, HIS 399/HON 451 Oral History of Philadelphia Immigration, Spring 2019 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 23, 2019 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Janneken Smucker https://www.phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/e01e7a78cd872c2b323a11098159f973.jpg 9b504502ee9cf6ed1752252d8c10cd46 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Philadelphia Immigration Project Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Colleen Dougherty Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Laura Gomez OHMS Object https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh1469_irw0092_ohm.xml Interview Keyword Family Expectations Idealism "American Dream" Education Language barriers College environment College students--Social conditions OHMS Object Text 5.4 2019oh1469_irw0092 Interview with Laura Gomez, February 21, 2019 2019oh1469_irw0092 irw I Remember When: Times Gone But Not Forgotten Oral History Project Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Bogotá (Colombia) Childhood Emigration and immigration. Families. Immigrants Philadelphia (Pa.) College choice Universities and colleges. College students. West Chester University Family Expectations Idealism &quot ; American Dream&quot ; Education Language barriers College environment College students--Social conditions Laura Gomez Colleen Dougherty 2019oh1469_irw0092_gomez_acc001.mp3 0 https://nunncenter.aviaryplatform.com/embed/media/104647 Aviary audio 4 Introductions / Childhood My name is Colleen Dougherty. I'm here with Laura Gomez at her apartment in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The interviewer introduces herself to Laura Gomez and states the location and purpose of the interview. The interviewer thanks Laura Gomez for the invitation to her apartment in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Gomez recalls growing up in the city of Bogota, Columbia for ten years before moving to the United States. During the ten years, she lived with her paternal grandparents while her father was in the United States, having a poor relationship with her biological mother. Bogota, Columbia ; Childhood ; Early life ; Grandparents ; Migration ; Parents ; West Chester, Pennsylvania Bogotá (Colombia) ; Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 0 84 Colombian traditions during childhood / Reasons to leave Columbia And what were some of the traditions you celebrated back home in Columbia? Gomez recounts the traditions she grew up with while in Columbia, such as celebrating Christmas on the 24th of December and Asado, a barbecue festivity celebrated in South America on December 25th. Also, Gomez notes that she left Columbia because her father wanted her to live in the United States and experience &quot ; The American Dream,&quot ; a cultural notion in the United States that hard work and study will grant success, with him. He believed that going to the United States will make him a responsible father as a United States resident and thus moved to Philadelphia where part of his family resided. &quot ; American Dream&quot ; ; Asado ; Christmas ; Fathers ; Immigration ; New Years ; Traditions Bogotá (Colombia) ; Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 4.640081382617693, -74.12154165805782 11 Bogota, Colombia 232 Father's first days in Philadelphia / Gomez arriving to the United States And when he moved here, he moved directly to Philadelphia? Was there any place else he considered moving? Gomez remembers that her father moved directly to Philadelphia where parts of his family resided. During his first days, he didn't know much about living in the United States, including how to drive. Gomez comments that cars in Colombia were for the wealthier individuals and so her father never learned until coming to the United States. Gomez arrived to the United State alone, with only the &quot ; azafata&quot ; or flight attendant supervising and caring for her. Adjustments ; Driving ; Family ; Migration Bogotá (Colombia) ; Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 0 320 Expectations of the United States So, you travel by yourself, you're getting ready to go to America at a very young age. Um, what were some of your expectations of America? Gomez, when she arrived in the United States, expected the nation or &quot ; USA&quot ; as a kingdom where anybody can go find wealth and prosperity. She imagined her life in the United States to be beautiful, not the townhouse her father lived in. She wanted to live in a house disconnected from others, thus she found living in the United States as initially disappointing. However, the United States met Gomez' expectations with its sizable living standards, such as larger living spaces and cleanliness, and diverse population including Mexicans and Vietnamese-Americans, which felt strange. She also comments that the traffic in the United States cuts driving time from an hour and a half to twenty minutes. Diversity ; Expectations ; Idealism ; Immigration ; National advantages ; Traffic Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 0 527 First day in the United States So, you mentioned it a little bit, when you got off the plane you wanted to see your dad's house. Gomez remembers her first day in the United States and meeting her father and his new family. Despite her nervousness, the family embraced her and accepted her into the group. Gomez notes that her step-mother advised Gomez in adjusting to the United States, easing her into Philadelphia life. Later that day, the family went to a Chinese buffet restaurant, surprising Gomez with a cuisine she had no knowledge of. This stimulating venture into new cuisines provoked Gomez into a &quot ; culture shock&quot ; or realization of how different East Asian culture was to her own Colombian culture. After the meal, the family went to their townhouse then to an aunt's house to celebrate her brother's birthday. Arrival ; Family ; First day ; Half-siblings ; Marriage ; Step-mothers Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 667 Parental occupations / Adjusting to the United States So, you mentioned your parents, what do they do now? Gomez explains that her father owns a restaurant in Malvern, Pennsylvania, selling Colombian cuisine, while her mother is a government worker. She notes that, in the interview, she will refer to her step-mother as her mother as she helped the most in her adjustment to living in the United States, never expecting her step-mother's friendship. For example, she sat down with Gomez, helping with her homework, helping her understand how education works in the United States, including general information on topics like financial aid. Even in 2019, Gomez calls her for help whenever she needs it. Adjustment ; Jobs ; Maryland ; Mi Pais ; Occupations Careers. ; Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Occupations. ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Professions. 0 773 Early education in Columbia and the United States You mentioned it a little bit so I'm going to kind of switch gears into the education system. Gomez recounts that despite her attendance in a private school, she never retained information from her education in Colombia, commenting that she never was taught simple mathematics like addition and subtraction. She found difficulty adjusting to her lessons in the United States as her education in Columbia never prepared her for learning a new language quickly while balancing other school subjects. Gomez notes how, initially, she wasn't able to write a paragraph in Spanish. Childhood ; Education ; Language barriers ; Private schooling ; Spanish (Language) Bogotá (Colombia) ; Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 869 Strategies for learning English and math So you mentioned a little bit with your mom, but, um, can you tell me about some of the strategies you losed when try--you used while trying to learn English? Gomez recalls that, whenever she went home after school, she reviewed her written copies of her daily lessons with her mother. With a dictionary nearby, they worked together, accelerating Gomez' comprehension and writing skills in English by translating and re-translating the copied English words. Alongside reading books and listening to music from &quot ; P!NK&quot ; or &quot ; Lady Gaga&quot ; she had partial assistance from Dominican and Puerto Rican Spanish speakers ; although they spoke Spanish, their translations were different due to cultural differences. When learning mathematics, Gomez had to teach herself to solve issues or called her mother for help. Education ; English (Language) ; English as a second language ; Lady Gaga (Artist) ; Language barriers ; Mathematics ; P!nk (Artist) ; Spanish (Language) Bogotá (Colombia) ; Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 0 994 Moving from one grade school to another So, where did you go to grade school and high school? Gomez remembers attending multiple grade schools in both Colombia and the United States. In Colombia, Gomez attended a new school each year. In the United States, she first attended a bilingual school in the March of the same year she came. However, both Gomez and her family didn't like that she was not learning or speaking English. After the school year ended, she went to Mayfair Elementary School for two years and learned how to speak English. In eighth grade, she attended Great Valley Middle School and graduated at Great Valley High School. Bilingualism ; Colombia ; Education ; Great Valley High School ; Great Valley Middle School ; Mayfair Elementary School ; Moving ; Schools ; Social life Bogotá (Colombia) ; Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 1086 Picking a college And then, of course, senior year comes around, it's time to pick a, a college. Gomez recounts that picking out a college was difficult as growing up learning a new language led to her education lagging behind her peers. This prevented access to classes in high school in advanced placement and honor classes like math. Gomez saw this as unfair as the school never tested her and thus removed her from pursuing advanced classes. As a result, Gomez picked out a college with a handicapped grade, applying to Lehigh, Bryn Mawr, and Swarthmore under the advisement of her mother. These schools did not accept Gomez because she lacked experience with advanced classes, despite excelling in her grades and swimming experience in high school. She instead decided on West Chester University, an affordable school with a good computer science program. Advanced Placement ; Bryn Mawr College ; Colleges ; Education ; Honors programs ; Language barriers ; Lehigh University ; Swarthmore College ; West Chester University Childhood ; College choice ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Universities and colleges. 39.95240764092936, -75.59782550137048 13 West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania 1225 Reasons to study computer science / Choosing a major and career path Uh, you just mentioned computer science. Can you tell me how you came to decide that you wanted to study computer science? Gomez decided to enter college as a psychology major, but changed her major due to the amount of reading and writing involved with the subject. She thought of majoring in Special Education, but refused due to the amount of work required in the career. Gomez wanted to pursue her &quot ; American Dream,&quot ; finding a trade that pays her enough to enjoy life. She also tried to attend the Coast Guard Academy, but couldn't due her lack of American citizenship. One day, Gomez encountered the Code Academy, a free code programming education website, pushing her interest in computer programs like Python, an open source code accessible to the public domain. &quot ; American Dream&quot ; ; Aversion ; Citizenship ; Coast Guard ; Coast Guard Academy ; Code Academy ; Computer languages ; Computer science ; Psychology ; Python (Programming language) ; Special education ; West Chester University ; Writing College majors ; College students. ; Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Universities and colleges. 0 1380 Choosing a different major / Reasons for choosing West Chester University So, if you could pick any other major, what would it be? Gomez explains that she would choose to practice medicine over computer science or another high paying profession that will achieve her &quot ; American Dream.&quot ; Gomez never chose West Chester University as her first college pick, but because she came from a low income family, she applied to Ursinus College as she couldn't afford other colleges. Accepted into its computer science program, Gomez received a $25,000 scholarship, covering most of the tuition and room and board. When financial aid retracted her scholarship, Gomez applied to West Chester as a second option, which accepted her quickly, allowing her to pay its state tuition rates. Affordability ; Computer science ; Education ; Financial aid ; Lower class ; Medicine ; Programming ; Scholarships ; Ursinus College ; West Chester University College majors ; College students. ; Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Universities and colleges. 40.19409060974804, -75.45646267622998 13 Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 1571 Expectations of West Chester University So, what were your--since West Chester wasn't your first school, what were some of your expectations about West Chester? Gomez notes that going to West Chester University ruined the pursuit of her &quot ; American Dream&quot ; and thus she had to rebuild a new &quot ; American Dream.&quot ; Overall, her expectations of the university were as a place where she will quickly get her computer science degree and leave. After spending time in West Chester University, her expectations were still not met as she had to attend large, general education classes over advanced curriculum courses found in Ursinus College's honors program. She learned to like West Chester University through her adjustment to the university. &quot ; American Dream&quot ; ; Expectations ; Goals ; West Chester University College students. ; Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Universities and colleges. 39.95240764092936, -75.59782550137048 13 West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania 1712 Challenges at West Chester University So, what were some of the challenges you faced your first year in West Chester? Gomez recounts the challenges she met while attending West Chester University. As a commuter from Malvern, Gomez sees the parking at the university as a detriment, as she has to arrive early in the morning to get a spot. This affected her course schedule as she considered her parking time with her job and courses. Adjusting to college life also provoked change in Gomez' lifestyle as she had to fit her schedule as effectively as possible. Challenges ; Commuting ; West Chester University College students. ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Universities and colleges. 0 1797 The first person that helped her at West Chester University So, who was the first person you met and helped you at West Chester? Gomez explains that she had high school friends that went to West Chester University who helped her adjust to college life. Her adviser also helped Gomez whenever she didn't understand an aspect of the university. Although she didn't talk to many people on the campus in her first two years, she developed friendships during her stay at West Chester University. Help ; Public transportation ; West Chester University College students. ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Universities and colleges. 0 1853 Campus diversity and activities And with those friends, were there any activities maybe you joined to help you become accustomed? Gomez remembers attending West Chester University and recognizing the diversity found on the campus. From Central and South Americans to Asian Americans, she found clubs dedicated to each culture and joined the Latino American Student Organization, a student advocate group that strives to maintain a supportive atmosphere on the West Chester campus. As a part of their dance team, she organized and practiced Latin dance routines to perform in front of audiences. Art ; Culture ; Culture clubs ; Diversity ; Latin dance ; Latinos American Student Organization (LASO) ; West Chester University College environment ; College students--Social conditions ; College students. ; Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Universities and colleges. 0 https://lasowcupa.weebly.com/ Latino American Student Organization, West Chester University 1915 Differences between Colombian and United States school cultures So, what did you--I would say, what did you--what's the cultural difference between where you maybe went to grade school and high school and then West Chester? Gomez recounts attending school in Colombia as a time where she wore a uniform, with the school year starting in February, and ending in November. She had mandatory classes in religion due to the country's strong Catholic values. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gomez had to adjust to an entirely new education system. Although the city and schools were diverse, Gomez thought that the quality of education in the city was less than the Malvern suburb's Great Valley Middle and High Schools, despite needing to adjust to a new school system for the second time. Colombia ; Cultural norms ; Education ; Great Valley High School ; Great Valley Middle School ; Malvern, Pennsylvania ; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Schooling ; Suburbs Bogotá (Colombia) ; Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 0 2041 Choosing a different university / How West Chester University influenced her career If you could choose any other school, what would it be? Gomez explains that she wanted to enter Lehigh University due to its computer science program and swimming team/club opportunities, however, she was not accepted. Despite never attending Ursinus College, Gomez recognizes that she still gained experience in computer science in West Chester University. She knows that the time spent attending WCU shaped her to live independently from her parents and manage her own time. Now, her &quot ; American Dream&quot ; is to finish college and get a high paying job to financially provide her future family more than what her parents were able to, noting her &quot ; American Dream&quot ; changed to a realistic plan rather than ideal. &quot ; American Dream&quot ; ; Clubs ; Computer science ; Idealism ; Influences ; Lehigh University ; Realism ; Swimming ; Ursinus College ; West Chester University College choice ; College students. ; Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Universities and colleges. 0 2242 West Chester as home / Traveling in Colombia And how do you view West Chester in terms of home? Gomez views West Chester as her home after living in the municipality for two years. However, her view of Colombia has never changed and she desires to return to the country when she is old and retired with money earned from her job. When living in Colombia, Gomez wants to travel the country, experiencing the cultures, foods, and customs of its regions. Colombia ; Home ; Homeland ; Malvern, Pennsylvania ; West Chester, Pennsylvania Bogotá (Colombia) ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Malvern (Pa.) ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; West Chester (Pa.) 0 2375 Looking ahead / Interview conclusion So, you're, you're a junior, graduate soon. Where do you--what do you see yourself doing in the future? Gomez sees herself graduating with her master's degree in the next two years. Afterwards, she will accept a job with anyone willing to hire her and pay what she deems appropriate. She plans to work her remaining time at West Chester University to achieve that goal to have secure finances and pursue happiness. The interviewer thanks Gomez and ends the recording. Computer science ; Employment ; Future opportunities ; Graduation ; Jobs ; Master's degree in computer science ; Plans ; West Chester University Careers. ; College students. ; Occupations. ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Professions. ; Universities and colleges. 0 interview In this interview, Gomez discusses her move from Colombia to the United States and enrolling at West Chester University. She talks about the cultural differences between the two countries and her transition into the U.S. educational system. Gomez highlights the struggles she faced when she first moved to America and what she did to overcome those challenges. No transcript. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries. audio Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. 0 https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh1469_irw0092_gomez_ohm.xml 2019oh1469_irw0092_gomez_ohm.xml https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7m901zgq96 Indexed By Nicholas Heydeman Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Interview: Laura Gomez Description An account of the resource In this interview, Gomez discusses her move from Colombia to the United States and enrolling at West Chester University. She talks about the cultural differences between the two countries and her transition into the U.S. educational system. Gomez highlights the struggles she faced when she first moved to America and what she did to overcome those challenges. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2019oh1469_irw0092 Subject The topic of the resource Bogotá (Colombia) Childhood Emigration and immigration. Families. Immigrants Philadelphia (Pa.) College choice Universities and colleges. College students. West Chester University Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available WCU, HIS 399/HON 451 Oral History of Philadelphia Immigration, Spring 2019 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 21, 2019 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries https://www.phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/07b5de2bb4f33d9b1020867043b9783d.jpg b00791c1c4cec7889ed2312b9638eb37 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Philadelphia Immigration Project Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Charles Hardy, III Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Mutaz Al Mudaris OHMS Object https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh1443_irw0090_ohm.xml Interview Keyword Freedom of religion Religion Occupations. Professions. Work. Delaware River Tigris River OHMS Object Text 5.3 2019oh1443_irw0090 Interview with Mutaz Al Mudaris, April 6, 2019 2019oh1443_irw0090 irw I Remember When: Times Gone But Not Forgotten Oral History Project Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Baghdad (Iraq) Kut (Iraq) Childhood Education, Higher Higher education Persian Gulf War, 1991. Politics and government Philadelphia (Pa.) Iraq War, 2003-2011. Freedom of religion Religion Occupations. Professions. Work. Delaware River Tigris River Mutaz Al Mudaris Charles Hardy, III 2019oh1443_irw0090_almudaris_acc001.mp3 0 https://oralhistory.uky.edu/spokedbaudio/2019oh1443_irw0090_almudaris_acc001.mp3 Other NULL audio 90 Introduction Good afternoon, this is Mutaz Al Mudaris, we're in Philadelphia. Mutaz Al Mudaris states his name. Charles Hardy explains that the interview is part of the Philadelphia Immigration Project and part two of an oral history. Free Library of Philadelphia ; Mutaz Al Mudaris ; Northeast Regional Library ; West Chester University Library 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/c81f8fc5021e4122b6d5eba56439842b.jpg Photo of Mutaz Al Mudaris 145 Al Mudaris' childhood What I'd like to do is, sort of, if you can, run us through your life from your childhood through, um, what Iraq was like when you were young. Al Mudaris speaks of his birth in Baghdad, Iraq, in the upscale Al Karrada district to Malka Al Saadi and her husband in 1973. He was born in a hospital called &quot ; Avicenna&quot ; or Abu Ali Sina, named after a famous Arabic doctor during the Islamic Golden Age. Al Mudaris came to take pride in being born in this hospital since becoming a medical interpreter. Although Al Mudaris cannot remember his first three years in Baghdad, he does remember his childhood in the United Kingdom, where the family moved in 1976. As a child, Al Mudaris never understood his parents' struggles with balancing their finances, studies, and family time with their four children. However, with time, Al Mudaris, alongside his siblings, learned more about his parents and their life struggles. Abu Ali Sina ; Baghdad, Iraq ; Child's perspective ; Ibn Sina Hospital ; Islamic Golden Age (7th-14th cent.) ; United Kingdom Baghdad (Iraq) ; Childhood 33.312846, 44.406524 17 Ibn Sina Hospital, where Al Mudaris was born 272 The move from the United Kingdom to Iraq So, I remember we moved, uh, in--from U.K. to Iraq in 1981. That was like one year after the Iraq-Iran war broke. Al Mudaris recounts his family's move from the United Kingdom to Iraq. There, his father tried to make the move appealing by playing on Al Mudaris' passion for animals and aspiration to become a zookeeper by explaining that Iraq had a plethora of animals and plants, including fish and water buffalo. Al Mudaris had trouble understanding Iraqi housing and that, because roofs are flat, it was customary for the family to sleep on the roof at night under the stars and cool breeze. Because of this, he had a dream in which he was sleeping and slipped on the sloped roof of a British style house. They first lived in Kut, in the Wasit Governate. Baghdad, Iraq ; Child's perspective ; Iran-Iraq war ; United Kingdom ; Zoology Baghdad (Iraq) ; Childhood ; Kut (Iraq) 32.519389, 45.814423 17 Kut, Iraq, where Al Mudaris's family lived. 465 Life in the city of Kut, Iraq, and its &quot ; gift culture&quot ; And so, life was very different over there, because, uh, uh, um, it's more like people were--they had the rural-- Al Mudaris comments on the rural setting of Kut, Iraq, and its non-metropolitan customs and cultures, such as the city's gift giving culture. When one of his parents conducted a successful surgery, they received livestock from the client or client's family to express their appreciation. So Al Mudaris' household had sheep named after fruits, two dogs, and nine roosters, ducks, and hens. Looking back, he shares how kindness, generosity, and transparency unified the community. Animals ; Culture ; Customs ; Gifts ; Kut, Iraq ; Livestock ; Rural ; Surgery ; Wasit Governate Childhood ; Kut (Iraq) 17 590 His struggles to learn Arabic in Kut And then came the, the time when, when my brother moved to, uh, Baghdad College. Al Mudaris talks about how he struggled to learn Arabic, how neighbors advised watching Arabic Sesame Street to help him, how a teacher who mistook his poor language skills as arrogance hit him, and how he then learned Arabic under a teacher who was a strict disciplinarian. Arabic ; Baghdad, Iraq ; Education ; Kut, Iraq ; Languages ; Moving ; Sesame Street (Television program) ; University of Baghdad Baghdad (Iraq) ; Childhood ; Kut (Iraq) 32.519449, 45.815312 15 Kut, Iraq. 887 Moving to Baghdad and education at the elite University of Baghdad I remember then my brother had to move to Baghdad, um, to my grandparents'. Al Mudaris talks about moving to Baghdad and finding a new, fast-paced lifestyle in the city. When attending the University of Baghdad, he maintained a low profile among the elite sons of ministers and other political officials and excelled in his studies. Al Mudaris recalls how often one classmate showed off his wealth by arriving in the family limo in front of the class. During the first Gulf War in 1991, he took the national exam. Because his classmates achieved high scores from their access to a stolen exam, Al Mudaris did not score high enough to get into medical school, so he could not become a dentist like his father and instead went into agricultural engineering. Alumni ; Ba'athism ; Elites ; Gulf War ; Kut, Iraq ; Life pacing ; Mannerisms ; National Exams ; Uday Hussein ; University of Baghdad Baghdad (Iraq) ; Education, Higher ; Higher education ; Kut (Iraq) 17 1159 Attitudes towards Americans before the Gulf War I've got a question for you before we get to the college of agriculture. Leading up to the Gulf War, Al Mudaris knew the United States may be invading from hearing reports on the BBC. Initially, he felt fine and somewhat excited with the war before experiencing the death, destruction, and chaos it wrought. He shares that a majority of Iraqis respected Americans, although the Baathist Party did not like Americans. He comments on how Iraqis perceived British and American accents. Al Mudaris recounts visiting the Baghdad International Fair with his family where they saw photos of American products. Reflecting now, he sees that the United States has pros and cons, and is not the perfect place he imagined during his youth and pictured in Hollywood movies. Awareness ; Baathist Party ; Baghdad International Fair ; Beliefs ; Consumerism ; Foreign perspective of the United States ; President George H.W. Bush ; Products ; The Gulf War ; United States ; Wars Bush, George, 1924-2018. ; Persian Gulf War, 1991. ; Politics and government 17 1701 Experiencing the Gulf War--Part I Okay, so let's get back then to, um, uh, '90, '90-'91. Al Mudaris remembers fortifying the family's house before the U.S. led coalition forces invaded Iraq to avoid broken glass during the attack. During the night, Al Mudaris listened to the bombardments, realizing the imminent danger they faced. He remembers watching an interview conducted with six American prisoners of war. During the broadcast, Al Mudaris came to respect one soldier's composure during the questioning. Adulthood ; High school graduation ; Prisoners of War ; Teenage years ; The Gulf War ; Wars ; Wartime Persian Gulf War, 1991. ; Politics and government 17 1954 Experiencing the Gulf War--Part II And the bombing didn't stop. Like it was nonstop on that day. Al Mudaris explains that, due to living next to the Muhammara intelligence agency across the Tigris river, the family was worried that a bombardment may accidentally miss the building, hit their home, and kill them. Similarly, in the 2003 Iraq War, a nearby neighbor, Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash, a doctor who worked on the Iraqi biological weapons program known also by the name &quot ; Mrs. Anthrax&quot ; was also a target that may lead to the family's demise. Al Mudaris remembers that, during the waning months of the Gulf War, looters started to steal and destroy things while Iraqi and foreign rebels rose to contest with Saddam Hussein's regime. Worried that paratroopers may take Baghdad, Al Mudaris' family left to Karbala to stay at their aunt's father's hotel until the end of the war alongside other escapees on a packed highway. After some time, the family returned to their home, only to learn the hotel was destroyed the same day they left the hotel, and later living off of dried foods like fruits and legumes. Adamiyah, Iraq ; Anthrax ; Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash ; Iraq War ; Iraqi Biological Weapons Program ; Kadhimiya, Iraq ; Karbala, Iraq ; Shi'a ; Sunni ; The Gulf War ; Wars ; Wartime Adamiyah (Iraq) ; Iraq War, 2003-2011. ; Kadhimiya (Iraq) ; Karbala (Iraq) ; Persian Gulf War, 1991. ; Politics and government 17 2369 On state control of the media coverage of the war But y'all recovered from the war? Al Mudaris recounts how the Iraqi media presented homages to Saddam Hussein and patriotic songs, but provided no coverage of civilian casualties or damage to the nation's infrastructure. He shares how he had to study for the national exams by candlelight, since there was no electricity. Casualties ; Education ; News media ; Patriotism ; Post-war ; Propaganda ; Saddam Hussein Persian Gulf War, 1991. ; Politics and government 17 2499 Mosquito bites and the blockade of foreign products Just as a quick aside... Al Mudaris remembers applying a German brand bug spray called &quot ; Kicks&quot ; when his family slept on the roof. However, after the United Nations placed sanctions on foreign trade into Iraq after the First Gulf War, foreign products were no longer available, so Al Mudaris and his family got lots of bug bites. Despite this, he still preferred to sleep on the roof with the cool breeze and night sky. Bug repellant ; Cy-Kicks ; Domestic products ; Mosquitoes ; Sanctions on Iraq ; Sleep Persian Gulf War, 1991. ; Politics and government 17 2588 On studying agricultural engineering So, you go to agricultural--you don't get into dental school? Al Mudaris shares how he did poorly during his first semester in agricultural engineering school due to the shame he felt for not getting into medical school, which was expected of children of doctors. He applied himself to his studies, however, after he recognized the importance of plant pathology, the disease vectors of insects, and the life cycles of cows. He felt pride in what he was learning as it was close to his parents' professions in medicine as they had to study the life cycle of an insect-born disease. Agricultural engineering ; Colleges ; Culture ; Education ; Etymology ; Family traditions ; Medicine Education, Higher ; Higher education 17 2766 Exemption from military service and work at the Iraqi Federation of Industries So, you graduate from school and you got a job--what's your, your profession? Al Mudaris talks about the impact that post-war corruption had upon his life after the first Gulf War. After he graduated from college, his parents paid one million dinar as a bribe to exempt him from military service, and he got a job through the intercession of a powerful uncle at the Iraqi Federation of Industries as an agricultural engineer. There, he soon got in trouble when he voiced his concerns about corruption in the Purchasing Committee. Corruption ; Iraqi Federation of Industries ; Military exemption ; Post-college ; Preliminary Military Exercise ; Professions ; Purchasing Committee Persian Gulf War, 1991. ; Politics and government 17 2985 Religious and ethnic diversity and intolerance So, um, where--how do we get there from--from there to, um, to the, uh, the second Iraq War? Al Mudaris recalls going to inspect machines at the Bobi chewing gum factory, a famous chewing gum with a black and white dog as a logo. Al Mudaris saw that one of the chewing gum wrappers, imported from Germany, featured a Star of David. The Iraqi &quot ; Economic Police&quot ; told the factory owner to destroy the wrappers and packaging. The German company understood the situation, and agreed to compensate the owner for the destroyed wrappers. Al Mudaris notes that he grew up in a very diverse Iraq, in which divisions among religious groups were not significant, but the differences became more prominent as the government promoted religious division, especially against Jews. He reflects on how he learned to appreciate diversity from his own experiences, despite the growing religious intolerance. Bobi ; Chewing gum ; Diversity ; Engineering ; Inspections ; Islam ; Jobs ; Judaism ; Machinery ; Religious and ethnic divisions ; Religious freedom ; United States Politics and government ; Religion 17 3485 Increased religious intolerance after the Iraq War But, back to your question when, when--the significance that happened was after the two thou--2003 war, not after the 1991. Al Mudaris talks about how after the Iraq War, religious parties twisted religion to hate others and used their power over their believers to scramble for control of the nation. As a result, the government of Iraq was divided among the religion of the parties and individuals rather than Iraqis' honesty, patriotism, and education. He says that these religious parties which have nothing to do with religion, were driven by a thirst for power and played upon the ignorance of people. He notes that much of this intolerance came from increased Iranian influence. Ethnicity ; Iranian influence ; Iraq War ; Kurdish ; Lebanon ; Religious and ethnicity divisions ; Religious political parties ; Saddam Hussein ; Secular government ; Secularism ; Shia Islam ; Sunni Islam ; Theocracy Iraq War, 2003-2011. ; Politics and government ; Religion 17 3711 Job instability / Finding work as a translator at the U.S. Embassy So, when did you first consider leaving Iraq? Al Mudaris and his family enjoyed a stable life following the Gulf War, and avoided getting tied up in political conflict, until eventually their values were compromised. He shares that tensions between Shi'a and Sunni workers increased at the Iraqi Federation of Industries, leading him to leave this toxic environment despite his parents' disapproval. He also lost his job as a translator at the Ministry of Mass Communication when Paul Bremer dismantled the organization. Eventually he found a job as an interpreter for the U.S. Embassy. Corruption ; Employment ; Honesty ; Immigration ; Interpretation ; Jobs ; Lewis Paul Bremer III ; Medical issues ; Medicine ; Ministry of Mass Communication ; Moral obligations ; Police academy ; Saddam Hussein ; Shi'a ; Sunni ; U.S. Embassy Occupations. ; Politics and government ; Professions. ; Work. 17 4250 Work as an interpreter for the Iraqi Reconstruction Management Office So, you work your way up from, from a, a series of interpretive jobs until you're, you're working in the Embassy? Al Mudaris talks about his work as a senior interpreter/translator for the Iraqi Reconstruction Management Office, which renovated and re-established sports facilities destroyed during the war, and used Iraqi star athletes to bring people together. For IRMO he 'felt like a superstar' interpreting for the athletes and also translating proposals, wish lists, and formal letters. He then was an interpreter during the first free elections held in 35 years. Elections ; Football (soccer) ; Interpreters ; Iraqi Reconstruction Management Office ; National Olympic Committee of Iraq ; Translators ; U.S. Embassy Occupations. ; Politics and government ; Professions. ; Work. 17 4387 On working for the U.S. to bring about a better Iraq So, now you're working, um, you're working closely with Americans, you're doing work you enjoy... Al Mudaris recounts how the Ministry of Mass Communication, run by Uday Hussein, had refused to let him resign. He notes that he chose to work for the U.S. to help his home country recover. He hoped that the reconstruction of Iraqi into a strong, democratic nation could have led the nation into prosperity similar to that experienced by Japan and Germany after the end of World War II. Resignation ; Saddam Hussein ; Uday Hussein ; Youth T.V. Occupations. ; Politics and government ; Professions. ; Work. 17 4527 On the similarities between Baghdad and Philadelphia Last time, you were very eloquent about talking about, um, um, getting from Iraq to Jordan and then how you actually got to the United States and your struggle to find work. When Al Mudaris arrived in Philadelphia, he did not expect the immense amount of diversity, including women wearing head scarves and hearing a variety of languages. Al Mudaris missed seeing the &quot ; immortal&quot ; Tigris River, but considers the Delaware River even more beautiful. Whenever he disembarks the train in University City, he takes a moment to appreciate the beautiful mix of old and new architecture lining the streets of Philadelphia. In contrast to New York City, Philadelphia doesn't suffocate Al Mudaris with its overpopulation and expense, allowing him and his family to enjoy the city, with its mosques, synagogues, and churches, coexisting as they did during his childhood. Amman, Jordan ; Architecture ; Australia ; Churches ; Delaware River ; Diversity ; Euphrates River ; Halal ; History ; Mosques ; New York City ; Slow-paced living ; Synagogues ; Tigris River ; United Kingdom ; University City (Philadelphia neighborhood) Amman (Jordan) ; Childhood ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Religion 17 4787 On his love of the Tigris and Delaware Rivers So I got a question. How does the Tigris?--Compare the Tigris to the Delaware for me. Al Mudaris shares how he views the Tigris River as a symbol of everything that is beautiful and strong, and as a symbol of motherhood ; a motherly body of water open to re-embrace him home whenever he returns to Iraq. He shares how he fell in love with the Delaware River the first time he saw it, and how he felt at home in Philadelphia because the Delaware, like the Tigris, is filled with abundance and beauty. Al Mudaris explains that there is a strong personal and cultural connection to bodies of water in the Middle East, and that the Tigris River divides the city like an artery through a person. The rivers represent a uniting, common force that the diverse populations in Iraq used to connect with each other and maintain harmony within the region. Delaware River ; Motherhood ; Symbolism ; Tigris River Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Rivers. 17 5058 Thoughts on returning to Iraq If, if, um, if the, uh, the politics and, uh, the, the cultural tensions were to stabilize in the Middle East and Iraq... Al Mudaris shares that he has never returned to Iraq, but he would do so if the religious and ethnic tensions and conflicts were to stabilize. He doubts, however, this will take place because of the danger of religious and ethnic groups kidnapping or killing his family or him. After the war many scientists and doctors were targeted. Relatives on his father’s side who returned home and were killed or kidnapped, so it is too risky. Iraq ; Iraqi Reconstruction ; Returning ; Stability Iraq War, 2003-2011. 17 5203 Adjusting to the fast pace of American life Um, so as an Iraqi in Philadelphia, um, what have been, um-- Al Mudaris recounts when he first arrived in the United States that, despite his language skills, he felt a complete sense of loss. The hardest adjustment was to the fast pace of life in the United States. He does not want to replace the American pace of life but does wish for the more relaxed approach he grew up with. He reflects on the nature of productivity among various cultures, noting that a leisurely pace with breaks for tea does not prevent productivity. Adjustments ; Collectivism ; Enjoying life ; Immigration ; Individualism ; Life pacing ; Lost Occupations. ; Professions. ; Work. 17 5484 On the value of diversity and religious tolerance I always like to leave some time at the end of interviews, um, to provide, you, the opportunity to say-- Al Mudaris says that differences should be celebrated, that diversity makes a great nation, and that people should learn to forgive and teach each other to forgive. He encourages Americans to travel and learn by experiencing other cultures. He remembers growing up in a household that taught him religion and encouraged him to adopt values and practices from the religions around him to choose his own path. He takes pride in being a Muslim but does not define himself as one. Instead, he sees himself as a human being praying for all. Advice ; Differences ; Diversity ; Education ; Forgiveness ; Non-domination ; Secularism Freedom of religion ; Religion 17 5838 Final thoughts on pretzels, Children's Hospital, and other Philadelphia bragging rights Have you learned to drink beer in Philadelphia? Al Mudaris shares what he loves about Philadelphia, including its pretzels, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where he works as an interpreter. There, he has seen how Saudi children playing with Orthodox Jewish children as their families watched and interacted with each other, can overcome religious teachings and tensions to a point where a Saudi man donated to a Jewish organization. He shares his love of the University of Pennsylvania Museum and its vast array of exhibits from all over the world, including objects from Iraq. Beer ; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia ; Delaware River ; Delegations ; Interactions ; Orthodox Jews ; Penn Museum ; Philly cheese steaks ; Pretzels ; Saudi ; Wahhabi Theocracy Freedom of religion ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Religion 39.948949, -75.193822 17 Children's Hospital of Philadelphia interview Al Mudaris talks about his life, beginning with his early childhood in London, his struggles to learn Arabic in school after the family’s return to Iraq ; his high school education at Baghdad College, the most prestigious school in Baghdad ; the 1991 war with the U.S. and how widespread cheating on the college entrance exam prevented his admission to dental school—which was expected of the child of a physician and dentist ; his work experiences as an engineer and the impact of refusal to participate in the corruption ; his work as a translator in Iraq, which culminated in work for the U.S. State Department ; the diversity of Iraq before the second war with the U.S. and the subsequent rise of religious and ethnic divisions ; his love of Philadelphia, preference for Philadelphia over New York, and his deep love of the Delaware River, which reminds him of the Tigris ; his desire to return to Iraq but inability to do so knowing that family members and friends who have attempted to do so have been kidnapped and murdered ; his professional life as a medical translator at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and related topics, including Arab attitudes towards Americans. Mutaz Al Mudaris’s primary employment is as a medical interpreter at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Educated as an agricultural engineer, he worked a number of jobs in Iraq, fled to Jordan after 2003 War, and then immigrated to Philadelphia with his mother in 2009. See his mother’s book, &quot ; Malka Al Saadi, Beyond the Sandstorm: A Woman’s Journey From Bagdad to Philadelphia&quot ; (Author House 2016), for a brief autobiography on p. 227-33. No transcript. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries. audio Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. 0 https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh1443_irw0090_almudaris_ohm.xml 2019oh1443_irw0090_almudaris_ohm.xml https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7m901zgq96 Indexed By Nicholas Heydeman Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Interview: Mutaz Al Mudaris Description An account of the resource Al Mudaris talks about his life, beginning with his early childhood in London, his struggles to learn Arabic in school after the family’s return to Iraq; his high school education at Baghdad College, the most prestigious school in Baghdad; the 1991 war with the U.S. and how widespread cheating on the college entrance exam prevented his admission to dental school—which was expected of the child of a physician and dentist; his work experiences as an engineer and the impact of refusal to participate in the corruption; his work as a translator in Iraq, which culminated in work for the U.S. State Department; the diversity of Iraq before the second war with the U.S. and the subsequent rise of religious and ethnic divisions; his love of Philadelphia, preference for Philadelphia over New York, and his deep love of the Delaware River, which reminds him of the Tigris; his desire to return to Iraq but inability to do so knowing that family members and friends who have attempted to do so have been kidnapped and murdered; his professional life as a medical translator at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and related topics, including Arab attitudes towards Americans. Mutaz Al Mudaris’s primary employment is as a medical interpreter at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Educated as an agricultural engineer, he worked a number of jobs in Iraq, fled to Jordan after 2003 War, and then immigrated to Philadelphia with his mother in 2009. See his mother’s book, "Malka Al Saadi, Beyond the Sandstorm: A Woman’s Journey From Bagdad to Philadelphia" (Author House 2016), for a brief autobiography on p. 227-33. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2019oh1443_irw0090 Subject The topic of the resource Baghdad (Iraq) Kut (Iraq) Childhood Education, Higher Higher education Persian Gulf War, 1991. Politics and government Philadelphia (Pa.) Iraq War, 2003-2011. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 6, 2019 https://www.phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/ea2b82c13605b1fd2a024a680664c575.jpg 13b056baf6f96fe982fd595fdaed57fe Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Philadelphia Immigration Project Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Charles Hardy, III Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Malka Al Saadi Mutaz Al Mudaris OHMS Object https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh1441_irw0088_ohm.xml Interview Keyword Gynecology Obstetrics Amman (Jordan) Work. Professions. Occupations. OHMS Object Text 5.3 2019oh1441_irw0088 Interview with Malka Al Saadi, Mutaz Al Mudaris, March 16, 2019 2019oh1441_irw0088 irw I Remember When: Times Gone But Not Forgotten Oral History Project Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Education, Higher Medical education Medicine. Universities and colleges. Women physicians. Medicine--Study and teaching Politics and government Iraq War, 2003-2011. Religion Freedom of religion Baghdad (Iraq) Emigration and immigration. Immigrants Philadelphia (Pa.) Gynecology Obstetrics Amman (Jordan) Work. Professions. Occupations. Malka Al Saadi Mutaz Al Mudaris Charles Hardy, III 2019oh1441_irw0088_alsaadi_acc001.mp3 0 https://oralhistory.uky.edu/spokedbaudio/2019oh1441_irw0088_alsaadi_acc001.mp3 Other NULL audio 0 Introductions Um, so, why don't you introduce yourselves? Malka Al Saadi and Mutaz Al Mudaris introduce themselves, their professions, country of origin, and when they arrived in Philadelphia. Al Mudaris comments on how he left Amman, Jordan, originally called Philadelphia by the Greeks, for Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. The interviewer mentions the date of the interview and the organization sponsoring the interview session. Amman, Jordan ; Iraq ; Malka Al Saadi ; Mutaz Al Mudaris ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Philadelphia Oral History Project ; Professions ; United Kingdom Amman (Jordan) ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/d2ef8a726dace1d21f23af33b27b3624.jpg Photograph of Malka Al Saadi and Mutaz Al Mudaris 94 Al Saadi's medical training and commitment to practice medicine in Iraq Um, tell me about your, your background ; where you all come from. Al Saadi explains that she was born to a middle-class Iraqi family in 1941 and graduated from the Iraqi College of Medicine in 1964. Specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, she and the family then moved to the United Kingdom for her to study at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. After she received her degree in 1981, the family returned to Iraq, where she practiced medicine and lived through the war with Iran, the Gulf War, and the Iraq War. Despite the damaged infrastructure and an unstable economy and society, they stayed in Iraq so that she could help the people. Culture ; Economy ; Gulf War ; Iran-Iraq War ; Iraq ; Iraq War (2003-2011) ; Iraqi College of Medicine ; Kuwait ; Middle-class ; OB-GYN ; Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ; Society ; United Kingdom Education, Higher ; Gynecology ; Medical education ; Medicine--Study and teaching ; Medicine. ; Obstetrics ; Universities and colleges. ; Women physicians. 51.526713, -0.161975 17 The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is a professional association based in London, United Kingdom. http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/0c9e05a6c152fb46770b9d68182aa52a.jpg Al Saadi's graduation 218 On the collapse of civil society during the Second Gulf War and threats on Al Saadi's life We are, we are used--we were used to live in harmony. Al Saadi remembers the time when Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived in a familial harmony in Iraq and how, after 2003, these groups became estranged from each other. She says that newcomers to Baghdad during the Iraq War (also known as Second Gulf War) brought division and terror to Iraqi society and that she received threats on her life. She recounts having a heart attack after she found a dismembered and lacerated doll in her backyard, which she knew was a threat against her life, and how her colleagues advised her to seek medical care in Jordan. Christians ; Iraq War (2003-2011) ; Jews ; Medicine ; Muslims ; Wartime Freedom of religion ; Iraq War, 2003-2011. ; Medicine. ; Politics and government ; Religion ; Women physicians. 17 320 On the move to Jordan, Malaysia, and then the United States So we left Iraq to Jordan, and there I had medical treatment, but I couldn't go back to Iraq. After receiving medical treatment in Jordan, Al Saadi returned to Iraq. After suffering another heart attack in May 2005, she and her family fled to Jordan. In 2007, Al Saadi took a job teaching in a medical school in Malaysia, and after a year and a half rejoined her children who insisted that she immigrate with them to the United States. Children ; immigration ; Iraq ; Iraq War (2001-2011) ; Jobs ; Jordan ; Malaysia ; Philadelphia, PA ; trauma ; United States Education, Higher ; Iraq War, 2003-2011. ; Medical education ; Medicine--Study and teaching ; Medicine. ; Universities and colleges. ; Women physicians. 17 441 On the decision to stay in Iraq through three wars So you actually brought your mother-- Al Mudaris recalls his early childhood in the United Kingdom where his parents studied medicine, and how, in 1981, the family returned to Iraq, lived through the Iran-Iraq war, and then the Gulf War (what he calls the Kuwait War) and Iraq War. Despite the wars, the family stayed to do their duty as citizens and hoped for the best. Baghdad, Iraq ; Child's perspective ; Childhood ; Medicine ; United Kingdom Baghdad (Iraq) ; Childhood ; Education, Higher ; Iraq War, 2003-2011. ; Medical education ; Medicine--Study and teaching ; Medicine. 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/a111dd7a7b644f8e86a046cc5d4a62ae.jpg Dr. Malka al Saadi in Anah Hospital, 1973. Image courtesy of Mutaz Al Mudaris. 506 Al Mudaris's work as an agricultural engineer and translator for Iraqi Youth TV But the years of the blockade were really hard on everyone... After graduating from college, Al Mudaris says he worked as an agricultural engineer for the Iraqi Federation of Engineers, and at night, in conjunction with his love for languages, as a translator for the Iraqi TV station Youth TV. He recalls in 1991 translating the romantic comedy &quot ; Pretty Woman,&quot ; which was broadcast on Eid-e-Shuja', the Muslim Christmas. He then talks about how the film was censored so as not to offend cultural sensibilities. Agricultural engineering ; Baghdad, Iraq ; Censorship ; Eid-e-Shuja' ; Iraqi Federation of Industries ; Iraqi sanctions ; Linguistics ; Pretty Woman (Motion picture) ; Translators ; Youth TV (Iraq) Baghdad (Iraq) ; Occupations. ; Politics and government ; Professions. ; Work. 17 https://www.globalpolicy.org/previous-issues-and-debate-on-iraq/sanctions-against-iraq.html Information on the Sanctions placed on Iraq by the United Nations starting in 1990 provided by the Global Policy Forum. 593 On surviving the 2003 Iraq War in Baghdad And then in 2003, uh, you know, the lost war, the Liberation War of Iraq happened... Al Mudaris recounts how the family survived the American bombings during the 2003 Iraq War, what he calls the Liberation War, and how it seemed that, at any minute, he or his family members would die. He remembers the family gathering in one room, hearing the thunder of bombs and missiles, and realizing that life in Baghdad was insecure. He shares that even after the family fortified their house without electricity and running water, the heat from the explosions burnt the family's curtains. Culture ; Family ; Iraq War (2003-2011) ; Stress ; Trauma ; Wartime Families. ; Iraq War, 2003-2011. ; Politics and government 17 668 On widespread looting and insurgents' attempts to rid Iraq of educated people Then another phase came when the war ended. Al Mudaris recalls how looters destroyed and looted everything from money to toilets. Due to Iraq's long borders, &quot ; anti-American&quot ; domestic and foreign fighters also entered Iraq from neighboring nations, causing further turmoil and violence for the Iraqi citizens, including Al Mudaris' mother and father. He says that these groups targeted his parents because they were well-known doctors, alongside scientists, engineers, and high ranking military officials to empty the country of all educated people. &quot ; Brain drain&quot ; ; Borders ; Intellectuals ; Iraq ; Iraq War (2003-2011) ; Terrorism ; United States Education, Higher ; Iraq War, 2003-2011. ; Politics and government 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/fdd266a18c88140026891d17d28fa6c8.jpg As Coalition Forces respond to a car bombing in South Baghdad, Iraq (IRQ), a second car bomb is detonated, targeting those responding to the initial incident. The attack, aimed at the Iraqi police force, resulted in 18 casualties, two of which were police officers, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. 824 Work as a translator for Iraq Reconstruction Management Office / Daily fears of death But, the second reason is, and this, this eventually took a toll on my mother's health is, after the war, the--Paul Bremer, the then like civil governor of Iraq... Al Mudaris explains how after losing his job translating movies, he chose to help rebuild Iraq by working as an interpreter for the U.S. and multinational forces with the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office (IRMO), which was helping to rebuild youth centers and orphanages. He then describes the precautions he took daily to protect himself from abduction or murder, the loss of many colleagues, and his growing fear of death. Corruption ; Culture ; Interpreting ; Iraq Reconstruction Management Office (IRMO) ; Lewis Paul Bremer III ; Ministry of Mass Communication ; Reconstruction ; Traitorism ; Translation Iraq War, 2003-2011. ; Occupations. ; Politics and government ; Professions. ; Work. 17 970 On acquiring refugee status and permission to move to the United States And then when my mother's health situation was really bad, um, we opted to move to Jordan, but only temporarily. Al Mudaris talks about how due to his mother's poor health the family moved to Jordan for five years and then applied for refugee status and immigration to the U.S. He explains the obstacles they faced, including their designation as a &quot ; cold case&quot ; and an interviewer who assumed they were Ba'athist ; the decision to move to Canada ; and the ruling that enabled the family to move to the U.S. because Al Mudaris had worked for the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. Amman, Jordan ; Ba'athism ; Culture ; Immigration journey ; Interrogation ; Interviews ; Racism ; Refugees ; Stereotypes ; United Nations Amman (Jordan) ; Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Iraq War, 2003-2011. 17 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/01/29/us/refugee-vetting-process.html Haeyoun Park and Larry Buchanan, &quot ; Refugees Entering the U.S. Already Face a Rigorous Vetting Process,&quot ; New York Times, January 29, 2017. 1099 On starting from scratch in Philadelphia So we moved to the U.S. in 2009. Al Mudaris recalls how after arriving in the U.S. in 2009, he had to start from scratch. Despite working as a training and development manager for the largest hotel in Amman, Jordan, he had to walk door to door in Philadelphia to find employment. After two months he landed a job at the &quot ; Fresh Grocer&quot ; grocery store in the midst of regional transit strike. He talks about how difficult it was to adjust to life in the U.S., and how many from the Middle East, unable to adjust, returned home. Adjustment ; Amman, Jordan ; Employment ; Fresh Grocer ; Immigration ; Jobs Amman (Jordan) ; Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Occupations. ; Politics and government ; Professions. ; Work. 17 1241 Al Mudaris lands his first jobs in Philadelphia Yeah, so back to my first interview, this person calls me, she says 'Here, I landed you this job interview, um, at Fresh Grocer.' Al Mudaris shares how, because of a transit strike, he had to walk 90 minutes for his first interview at Fresh Grocer, where he was told he was overqualified. Taking the job, he walked three hours to get home. He explains how this job led to his next job, as an interpreter at the University of Pennsylvania, and how he was soon working three jobs, seven days a week. These experiences, he says, made him stronger and proud of what he was able to accomplish. Competition ; Craigslist ; Employment ; Erie-Torresdale (Philadelphia neighborhood) ; Fresh Grocer ; Interviews ; Jobs ; North Broad Street ; Overqualification ; Ritz Carlton Hotel ; Stereotypes ; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital of Philadelphia ; Transportation ; University of Pennsylvania ; Volunteers Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Occupations. ; Professions. ; Work. 39.976892, -75.157590 17 The Fresh Grocer of Progress Plaza on 1501 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA. 1460 On how Al Saadi's daughter Afaf and her children were the first to move to the U.S. So, back up a little bit then. Al Mudaris explains how his sister Afaf, an electrical engineer, and her two children were the first to arrive in the U.S. He shares a bit about her educational and personal history, and his concern for his niece and nephew, who had witnessed such horrors in Iraq. He also talks about the growing anti-Iraqi sentiment in Jordan. Afaf ; Child's perspective ; Customs ; Discrimination ; Divorce ; Electrical engineering ; Family ; Immigration ; Jordan ; Liverpool University ; Malaysia ; Refugees ; Saddam Hussein ; United Kingdom ; United Nations Refugee Status ; United States Education, Higher ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Occupations. ; Politics and government ; Professions. ; Work. 17 1677 Al Saadi's decision to move to the U.S. and the preference for Philadelphia over New York I've got a question. Why the states? Al Saadi talks about why she moved to the United States and why she is so happy that she did so, even though it was not their first choice. Al Saadi would have preferred at the time to move to Australia, where another son lives. She and Al Mudaris explain why they moved to Philadelphia, rather than settle in New York City, which they found too fast paced, expensive, and crowded. They explain how they feel more at home in Philadelphia because life here is closer to what they loved about life in Baghdad. They also share that many Arabs come to the United States with unrealistically high expectations. Australia ; Chaplain Brown ; Culture ; culture ; David Menchi ; England ; International Organization of Migration (IMO) ; Israel ; Jordan ; Malaysia ; Multiculturalism ; Muslim ; New York city ; Philadelphia ; Remigration ; sponsors ; United States Education, Higher ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Occupations. ; Politics and government ; Professions. ; Work. 17 1955 On Afaf's struggle to find employment in Philadelphia So, your sister, w--how did--why did she come to Philadelphia, then? Al Mudaris and Al Saadi explain how Afaf came to Philadelphia through her sponsor, Chaplain Brown, and how despite her experience and degree in electrical engineering, she struggled for more than a year to find a job in her field. Finally, the Jewish Employment and Vocational Service (JEVS) helped her find a job as medical list inspector. She now works as a quality assurance agent for the same company. Chaplain Brown ; Employment ; Immigration ; Jewish Employment and Vocational Service (JEVS) Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Occupations. ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Professions. ; Work. 17 2177 Financing the move to the U.S. and Al Saadi's decision not to practice medicine When you all are then in Jordan and you're about to move to the States, what kind of financial resources did you have? Al Saadi talks about the financial resources they had when they moved to the U.S. and the help that they received from family in the U.K. and Australia. She then talks about her decision, in her late sixties, not to practice medicine in the United States and how she, with the encouragement of her family, started to write books. Arrival ; Family ; Finances ; Financial support ; Iraqi College of Medicine ; Jordan ; Medical certifications ; Ohio ; Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ; United States Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Medicine. ; Occupations. ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Professions. ; Women physicians. ; Work. 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/240f717ca3d58500b88ceb71dea35437.png Malka Al Saadi receiving letter of appreciation from President of Saddam University, Bagdad, Iraq. Image courtesy of Mutaz Al Mudaris. 2540 First impressions of Philadelphia So, um, I want to go back and, and, uh, ask you all about Iraq... Al Saadi and Al Mudaris share their first impressions of Philadelphia. They talk about their love of the scenery and landscape, and how upset they were with the poor conditions in their first residence in a northeast Philadelphia neighborhood. Al Mudaris shares how much he loved Philadelphia’s architecture, the diversity of its people, and the rights enjoyed by refugees as well as Americans. He then contrasts the experiences of being a refugee in Jordan and the United States. Americanization ; Arrival ; Castor Avenue ; Diversity ; Expectations ; Multiculturalism ; Northeast Philadelphia ; Rights Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 2898 The move to far Northeast Philadelphia Have you moved since you-- Al Saadi and Al Mudaris talk about their move to Northeast Philadelphia, which they enjoy because it is family oriented, safe, and has great diversity. Al Mudaris then talks about tensions over privacy, security and personal spaces with their Iraqi neighbors in their first residence in the city. Now in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, they are very comfortable. Baghdad, Iraq ; Center City ; Culture ; Iraqi Immigration ; Moving ; Multiculturalism ; Northeast Philadelphia ; Resettlement Agency ; Security Baghdad (Iraq) ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 3136 On other Iraqis on Philadelphia So, this is the question then. Um, you said a number of Iraqis, in fact, came to Philadelphia and that was sort of, um-- Al Saadi talks about the different types of Iraqis in Philadelphia, and how the other family in their first residence in Philadelphia thought badly about Afaf because she was a single mother. In contrast, she recalls another family helped her daughter find a job and improve her living conditions. Community ; Culture ; Iraqi community ; Iraqi immigration ; Multiculturalism ; Northeast Philadelphia ; Settlement Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 3264 On the rise of religious divisions in Iraq and the United States From the little I know about Iraq, which is, you know, just as an informed American... Al Mudaris remembers being asked by a fellow student in high school if he was Sunni or Shi'a and being confused by the question because he did not know what these words meant. He shares how when he asked at home if the family was Sunni or Shi'a his father replied, &quot ; You never ask that question because we are all human beings, and we have to respect each other's beliefs.” He talks about growing up in Iraq at a time when Muslims, Jews, and Christians lived in harmony, and how the ethnic and religious division that exploded during the Iraq War are reflected in divisions among Middle Eastern immigrants to the United States. Ethnic divisions ; Gulf War ; Iraq War (2003-2011) ; Religious divisions ; Shi'a Islam ; Socio-cultural immigration ; Sunni Islam Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Freedom of religion ; Immigrants ; Iraq War, 2003-2011. ; Politics and government ; Religion 17 https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/maps/demotext.html A PBS &quot ; Global Connections&quot ; page covering the ethnic and religious distribution of each Middle Eastern nation represented in pie charts. 3636 Al Mudaris on his broadening work as an interpreter So, um, working as an interpreter, um, you--what, what type of people do you interpret for in the city? Al Mudaris talks about his work as an interpreter in Philadelphia. He explains why he has diversified his skills from medical interpreter, to a broad range of community, legal, escort, conference, and other interpreting, English and Arabic language instruction, and interpreter training. He never wants to face the kind of struggles finding a job as he first did in Philadelphia, and now has a diversity of skills. Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) ; Interpretation ; Iraq ; Jobs ; Translation ; Translators Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Occupations. ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Professions. ; Work. 17 http://cchicertification.org/ The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) website that entails the information and requirements on the CCHI certification recognized by all fifty states in the U.S. 3734 The influx of immigration from Arab countries / Muslim community support In the years since you all arrived in 2009, yes, to Philadelphia? Al Saadi shares that because of where she lives she does not interact with many Iraqis in Philadelphia. Al Mudaris says he has seen a decrease in Middle Eastern refugees in the past few years. Despite this, Philadelphia’s Muslim communities remain sizable and have good support systems. Arabic immigration ; Christian churches ; Immigration ; Mosques ; President Donald Trump ; Support organizations Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Religion 17 interview Moving back and forth between their shared and separate life experiences, Dr. Malka Al Saadi and her son Mutaz Al Mudaris talk about their lives in Iraq ; his education and professional life ; the horrors of the 2003 Gulf War and how it devastated Iraqi life and culture ; their flight to Jordan and her return to her hospital and medical work in Baghdad ; her multiple heart attacks ; the decision to move to the United States and Philadelphia, where one of her daughters was already living ; their love of Philadelphia, which they much prefer to New York because of the slower pace of life, closer resemblance to the housing and landscape of Baghdad, and diversity that reminds them of the diversity of Iraq before the war ; and related topics. Dr. Malka Al Saadi was one of Iraq’s first female gynecologists and a professor at the Sadaam College of Medicine in Baghdad before she was forced to flee Iraq in the wake of the 2003 Gulf War. After living and teaching on Malaysia, in 2009 she immigrated to the United States with her son Mutaz, where they reunited with her daughter Afaf. Today, in Iraqi tradition, the family continues to live together with Afaf’s children. One of Dr. Al Saadi’s four children, Mutaz Al Mudaris’s primary employment is as a medical interpreter at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Educated as an agricultural engineer, he worked a number of jobs in Iraq, fled to Jordan after the 2003 War, and then immigrated to Philadelphia with his mother. Dr. Al Saadi has written an autobiography, &quot ; Beyond the Sandstorm: A Woman’s Journey From Baghdad to Philadelphia&quot ; (Author House 2016), that includes short autobiographies of each of her four children. No transcript. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries. audio Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. 0 https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh1441_irw0088_alsaadi_ohm.xml 2019oh1441_irw0088_alsaadi_ohm.xml https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7m901zgq96 Indexed By Nicholas Heydeman Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Interview: Malka Al Saadi & Mutaz Al Mudaris, Description An account of the resource Moving back and forth between their shared and separate life experiences, Dr. Malka Al Saadi and her son Mutaz Al Mudaris talk about their lives in Iraq; his education and professional life; the horrors of the 2003 Gulf War and how it devastated Iraqi life and culture; their flight to Jordan and her return to her hospital and medical work in Baghdad; her multiple heart attacks; the decision to move to the United States and Philadelphia, where one of her daughters was already living; their love of Philadelphia, which they much prefer to New York because of the slower pace of life, closer resemblance to the housing and landscape of Baghdad, and diversity that reminds them of the diversity of Iraq before the war; and related topics. Dr. Malka Al Saadi was one of Iraq’s first female gynecologists and a professor at the Sadaam College of Medicine in Baghdad before she was forced to flee Iraq in the wake of the 2003 Gulf War. After living and teaching on Malaysia, in 2009 she immigrated to the United States with her son Mutaz, where they reunited with her daughter Afaf. Today, in Iraqi tradition, the family continues to live together with Afaf’s children. One of Dr. Al Saadi’s four children, Mutaz Al Mudaris’s primary employment is as a medical interpreter at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Educated as an agricultural engineer, he worked a number of jobs in Iraq, fled to Jordan after the 2003 War, and then immigrated to Philadelphia with his mother. Dr. Al Saadi has written an autobiography, "Beyond the Sandstorm: A Woman’s Journey From Baghdad to Philadelphia" (Author House 2016), that includes short autobiographies of each of her four children. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2019oh1441_irw0088 Subject The topic of the resource Education, Higher Medical education Medicine. Universities and colleges. Women physicians. Medicine--Study and teaching Politics and government Iraq War, 2003-2011. Religion Freedom of religion Baghdad (Iraq) Emigration and immigration. Immigrants Philadelphia (Pa.) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 16, 2019 https://www.phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/630d6805e585d1ef15a287d2f8bfa6e7.jpg b9d5bc9e168bd05999d2053164af6cae Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Philadelphia Immigration Project Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Bryce Evans Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Ana Maria Roldan OHMS Object https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh0153_irw0084_ohm.xml Interview Keyword Children Lawrence (Mass.) Culture Community Food habits Abuse OHMS Object Text 5.3 2019oh0153_irw0084 Interview with Ana Maria Roldan, March 16, 2019 2019oh0153_irw0084 irw I Remember When: Times Gone But Not Forgotten Oral History Project Philly Immigration Childhood Emigration and immigration. Families. Immigrants Philadelphia (Pa.) Puerto Rico. Santurce (San Juan, P.R.) Education Boston (Mass.) Employment Occupations Children Lawrence (Mass.) Culture Community Food habits Abuse Ana Maria Roldan Bryce Evans 2019oh0153_irw0084_roldan_acc001.mp3 0 https://oralhistory.uky.edu/spokedbaudio/2019oh0153_irw0084_roldan_acc001.mp3 Other NULL audio 6 Introduction / Moving to the mainland United States from Puerto Rico Alright. So I am here with Ana Maria Roldan in the, uh, Lillian Marrero Branch Library in Philadelphia. Roldan explains how she came to the mainland United States after living in Puerto Rico for the first 13 or 14 years of her life. She recalls that she moved all up and down the East Coast, from Boston to South Carolina and then how she finally ended up in Philadelphia for the last 9 years. Boston (Mass.) ; Brothers ; Children ; Fathers ; Grandfathers ; Grandmothers ; Kidnapping ; Marriage ; Mothers ; Moving ; North Carolina ; Parental figures ; Syracuse (N.Y.) ; Uncles Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Puerto Rico. 39.9928, -75.1424 17 Lillian Marrero Branch Library, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 237 Parent figures and sibling relationships What can you tell me about your grandparents growing up? Roldan discusses the parent figures in her life, her grandma and her grandpa who were very prominent adult figures for her while she was growing up. She talks about some of the most important life lessons that her grandpa taught her, like how to be strong and to not let any man dictate what she does. She also discusses her relationships with all of her siblings on both of her parents' sides and how, as the oldest of them, she protected them and cared for them when they were injured or sick. Asthma ; Handiwork ; Orphans Childhood ; Families. ; Puerto Rico. 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/87c62b1911118617486e9660d332975f.png &quot ; Ana Maria Roldan's Grandparents,&quot ; c. 1980s. Courtesy of Ana Maria Roldan 655 Life in rural Puerto Rico Um, so what was a typical day--before you decided to move over to Massachusetts, what was a typical day like in your hometown? Roldan remembers her childhood growing up in the countryside of Puerto Rico. She recalls how she used to pick fresh mangoes and wild berries off of the trees on her land and how it was always warm in Puerto Rico. The weather in Boston was a shock to Roldan since in Puerto Rico, it's mostly warm and she wasn't used to the cold weather. She briefly talks about what school and the education system was like back in Puerto Rico. Mango ; Santurce, Puerto Rico ; Swimming ; Tropical weather Childhood ; Education ; Families. ; Puerto Rico. ; Santurce (San Juan, P.R.) 18.4665, -66.1057 17 Santurce, Puerto Rico 1062 High school education in Boston September came. I went to school. I was lost, it was very different, I didn't have no friends. Roldan remembers what her high school experience was like in Boston and how she went to three different high schools until she was finally able to graduate and get her high school diploma, even though it was kind of a bumpy road getting there. She recalls that South Boston High School was a dangerous school, with police needing to escort the children from the school bus, and fights regularly breaking out among students of various racial and ethnic groups. Because of this dangerous environment, she transferred to Madison Park High School. She then talks about a couple of the part time jobs that she held while she was finishing up school, like working in a nursing home on the weekends and then at Harvey Industry where they made windows. She talks about how she met her now-ex-husband and had her two kids, Joanna and Abraham. Boston, Massachusetts ; Children ; Husbands ; Jamaica Plain High School ; Language acquisition ; Madison Park High School ; Marriage ; South Boston High School Boston (Mass.) ; Childhood ; Education ; Families. ; Immigrants 42.3331, -71.0449 17 South Boston High School https://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/img/mt/2016/03/AP_578859834926/lead_720_405.jpg Bus Segregation, Boston, MA, September 14th, 1974. The Atlantic 1401 Struggles living with a tough mother And when I was raising them, I raise them with love, not like the way my mom used to hit me a lot. Roldan explains how she grew up with her mother who was a very tough person and who would hit and otherwise abuse her children if they acted out. These experiences with her mother are what drew Roldan closer to her grandma as a mother figure because she was treated with respect and kindness from her. Roldan says that even in her mother's old age, it's hard for her to go back to her and stay with her because she knows that her mother will still treat her the same way as she did when she was a child. Abuse ; Accidents ; Butterfly stitches ; Divorce Childhood ; Families. ; Immigrants 17 1680 Dealing with other abuse in her family What can I say? Roldan recalls how she had to intervene in her daughter and her granddaughter's life because of her daughter's abusive boyfriend. She had to go to Lawrence, Massachusetts to make sure that he wasn't a threat to her family and she had to keep them safe, no matter what. Now that he is no longer a threat to her family, her daughter is able to work and try to go to college so that she can financially support her daughter. Abuse ; Billing departments ; Diabetes ; Fathers ; Granddaughters ; Hospitals ; Lawrence, Massachusetts ; Psychology ; Trains Abuse ; Children ; Education ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Lawrence (Mass.) 42.7070, -71.1631 17 Lawrence, Massachusetts 1976 First time in Philadelphia So what was your first day like in Philadelphia? Roldan recounts her first couple of days in Philadelphia, when she and her partner stayed with her partner's cousin while she was supposed to be visiting Puerto Rico. Roldan describes taking the bus and elevated train in Philadelphia, getting to know the city, learning to call it &quot ; Center City&quot ; instead of &quot ; downtown.&quot ; She remembers going to the PennDot's Drivers License Center to become official residents in Philadelphia. She also talks about some of her favorite places and historical monuments she has seen in Philadelphia so far and what else she wants to go see in the future. &quot ; Partner in life&quot ; ; &quot ; The old city&quot ; ; American History ; Benjamin Franklin ; Center City (Philadelphia, Pa.) ; City Hall (Philadelphia, Pa.) ; Concerts ; Drivers License Department ; Drug addiction ; Elevated rail ; Independence Hall ; Liberty Bell ; Marijuana ; Netflix ; Old City (Philadelphia neighborhood) ; Orianna St. (Philadelphia, Pa.) ; Parkway Central Library ; Paul Revere ; PennDot ; Rocky Statue ; San Juan, PR. ; Social Security Disability ; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) ; Swann Fountain ; Syracuse, New York ; White House Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Puerto Rico. ; San Juan (P.R.) ; Syracuse (N.Y.) 2526 Museums in Philadelphia / Current employment What are--what's the one museum you really want to go see? Roldan talks about some of the places in Philadelphia that she would like to go to soon. Some of these places include the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the African American Museum because she loves history and the feeling of &quot ; traveling through time&quot ; when she looks at all the paintings. She explains that she currently collects Social Security Disability Insurance, but also has a part time job at Amazon, directing where packages will be delivered, and describes the work she does in the warehouse. She has made some new friends working at Amazon, which is good for her. She says that as a child she wanted to become a doctor or MP (military police) by joining the military reserve. Amazon, Inc. ; Arch Street and 7th Street (Philadelphia, Pa.) ; Bin audits ; Doctors ; Military Police (MP) ; Social Security Disability (SSDI) ; The African American Museum in Philadelphia ; The Philadelphia Museum of Art Employment ; Immigrants ; Occupations ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 39.9656, -75.1810 17 The Philadelphia Museum of Art http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/19ffc0d5e108e57e8ed87019b7740651.jpeg &quot ; Rocky Statue,&quot ; Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia 2776 Living in Philadelphia / Favorite holidays How did--once you finally moved into your own, uh, apartment or house--was it a house? Roldan talks about how Philadelphia looks a lot different than Boston because of the rowhouses in Philadelphia, and that this was a big surprise for her. She also explains a little about where she and her partner hope to move and how her job commute fits in with their current life. She describes her favorite holidays in Puerto Rico and how holidays, such as Three Kings Day, are much different in Puerto Rico compared to other parts of the United States. Boston, Massachusetts ; Conshohocken (Pa.) ; Conshohocken, Pennsylvania ; King of Prussia (Pa.) ; King of Prussia, Pennsylvania ; Las Vegas (Nev.) ; Las Vegas, Nevada ; Manayunk (Philadelphia neighborhood) ; Mother's Day ; Rowhouses ; The 3 Kings ; Three Kings Day Boston (Mass.) ; Employment ; Holidays ; Immigrants ; Occupations ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 3114 How Philadelphia is similar to Puerto Rico You said that living in Philadelphia, it's kind of like Puerto Rico and the States together. Roldan explains how Philadelphia and Puerto Rico are similar, with Puerto Rican culture thriving. She mentions neighbors playing dominoes outside, flying Puerto Rican flags, and the Philadelphia Puerto Rican Parade. She describes walking one block and seeing about 5 Puerto Rican flags waving from houses. She says that a man on 3rd Street cooks and sells barbecue pork on the street in the same way it is prepared in Puerto Rico. The smell of burning wood on the street reminds her of the smell of Puerto Rico. This culture makes her feel proud, and it feels like she never left home. Boston did not have a similar feeling of a strong Puerto Rican culture. Barbecue pork ; Boston, Massachusetts ; Dominoes ; El Barrio (Philadelphia neighborhood) ; Independence Day ; Mt. Rushmore ; Philadelphia Puerto Rican Parade ; United States citizenship ; United States Constitution ; Washington Monument ; Yellowstone Park Boston (Mass.) ; Community ; Culture ; Food habits ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/443c0ba1ad77cd483ababb021c28439e.jpg &quot ; Puerto Rican Parade,&quot ; Uwishunu Philadelphia, Sept. 20th, 2015 3518 Staying in touch with family How do you keep in contact with, uh, your family that's still over in Puerto Rico? Roldan reports that she calls her father to keep in touch, and uses Facebook to communicate with other family members. She writes and texts her family still in Arecibo, PR. She mentions a cousin that recently died. She also says she has an aunt in Washington state who passed away. Arecibo, Puerto Rico ; Communication ; Facebook Arecibo (P.R.) ; Families. ; Immigrants 18.4442, -66.6464 17 Arecibo, Puerto Rico 3645 Improvements to Philadelphia / Family staying in Puerto Rico Um, what surprised you the most about Philadelphia when you came here? Roldan was most surprised by the number of Puerto Ricans and the dominance of Puerto Rican culture in Philadelphia. She thinks there are too many bars in Philadelphia. Roldan mentions the current mayor of Philadelphia, Jim Kenney, and credits him with improving aspects of the city, including the economy, street cleaning, and drug abuse. She then goes on to talk about her family in Puerto Rico, and while they would love to be closer to her, they are so closely tied to Puerto Rico and can't leave. Bars ; Center City (Philadelphia, Pa.) ; Drug addiction ; Higher rates ; HIV/AIDS ; Jim Kenney (Philadelphia mayor, 2015-present) ; Market Street (Philadelphia, Pa.) ; Mayors ; Penn's Landing (Philadelphia neighborhood) ; Puerto Rican migration Community ; Culture ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) https://www.phila.gov/2018-05-23-mayor-kenney-participates-in-mayor-exchange-program-in-puerto-rico/ Mayor Kenny participates in &quot ; Mayor Exchange,&quot ; City of Philadelphia, zmsy 23rd, 2018 3906 Final reflections on her immigration experience Um, if--is there anything you would change about your, your journey into the States? While Roldan has had a positive experience overall, she says that if she could have done anything different, it would have been to not leave her grandparents behind in Puerto Rico, but she respects that her mother made the best choice for her. Other than that, there isn't much else that Roldan would change about her migrant experience. She has found a home in Philadelphia. Boston, Massachusetts ; Puerto Rican migration ; School systems Boston (Mass.) ; Community ; Culture ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) interview Ana Maria Roldan has been living a life full of love, ambition, and hard work to get to where she is now in Philadelphia. From moving away from Puerto Rico when she was 13 years old to Boston, and then up and down the east coast of the United States, and then most recently settling in Philly, she has worked towards her own education and starting a family. After graduating high school in Massachusetts, she married, had 2 children, divorced, and then met her “partner in life,” with whom she lives with happily. Roldan faced challenges with family court, leaving her beloved scenery and family in Puerto Rico, starting school in a brand-new culture, the death of her grandparents who she was incredibly close to, and then trying to find a community in Philadelphia that she swears is just like Puerto Rico. She has worked to overcome all of her struggles so far in life and is excited to move to another part of Philadelphia in the near future. No transcript. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries. audio Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. 0 2019oh0153_irw0084_roldan_ohm.xml 2019oh0153_irw0084_roldan_ohm.xml https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7m901zgq96 Indexed By Bryce Evans Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Interview: Ana Maria Roldan Description An account of the resource Ana Maria Roldan has been living a life full of love, ambition, and hard work to get to where she is now in Philadelphia. From moving away from Puerto Rico when she was 13 years old to Boston, and then up and down the east coast of the United States, and then most recently settling in Philly, she has worked towards her own education and starting a family. After graduating high school in Massachusetts, she married, had 2 children, divorced, and then met her “partner in life,” with whom she lives with happily. Roldan faced challenges with family court, leaving her beloved scenery and family in Puerto Rico, starting school in a brand-new culture, the death of her grandparents who she was incredibly close to, and then trying to find a community in Philadelphia that she swears is just like Puerto Rico. She has worked to overcome all of her struggles so far in life and is excited to move to another part of Philadelphia in the near future. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2019oh0153_irw0084 Subject The topic of the resource Childhood Emigration and immigration. Families. Immigrants Philadelphia (Pa.) Puerto Rico. Santurce (San Juan, P.R.) Education Boston (Mass.) Employment Occupations Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 16, 2019 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Relation A related resource <a href="/exhibits/show/anamaria-roldan/puerto-rico">Explore an exhibit about Ana Maria's life.</a> https://www.phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/e70a833f1e9a8ea890223aada30c7b6f.jpg a2f48706c366699317305037dcc9fd71 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Philadelphia Immigration Project Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Brady Day Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Enitan "Enni" Aigbomian OHMS Object https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh1446_irw0091_ohm.xml Interview Keyword Black Americans Culture Assimilation Adaptation Abington Township (Pa.) Cheltenham Township (Pa.) Racism OHMS Object Text 5.2 Interview with Enitan &quot ; Enni&quot ; Aigbomian, March 25, 2019 2019oh1446_irw0091 irw I Remember When: Times Gone But Not Forgotten Oral History Project Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Childhood Community Immigrants Philadelphia (Pa.) Race relations Education Emigration and immigration. Families. New York (N.Y.) Lagos (Nigeria) Black Americans Culture Assimilation Adaptation Abington Township (Pa.) Cheltenham Township (Pa.) Racism Enitan &quot ; Enni&quot ; Aigbomian Brady Day 2019oh1446_irw0091_aigbomian_acc001.mp3 0 https://oralhistory.uky.edu/spokedbaudio/2019oh1446_irw0091_aigbomian_acc001.mp3 Other NULL audio 29 Childhood in Nigeria Okay. Hello, uh, my name is Brady Day. Aigbomian talks about her early childhood living in Lagos, Nigeria. She reflects on her time living in a dictatorship nation at such a young age and not even realizing it. She reflects on not being able to go out at night and being in a constant state of fear and not knowing why. She also has fond memories of climbing guava trees. Aigbomian shares that her parents were separated and that she lived with her mom, but once her mom moved to America in 1999, she lived with her aunt for a year and then moved in with her father in 2000. Her mother was a pharmacist in Nigeria and her father was in the Nigerian Air Force. Her father also worked a lot with education and opened up a school for kids dealing with poverty. Divorce ; Ibadan ; Kaduna ; Lagos, Nigeria ; Nigerian National Air Force ; Poverty Childhood ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Employment ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Lagos (Nigeria) ; Occupations 6.563831, 3.367119 6 Capital building in Lagos, Nigeria http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/4d4aa32e08d9f96370b51701c9dfe05d.jpg Enitan Aigbomian's First Birthday, 1993, Courtesy of Enitan Aigbomian 321 Childhood surrounded by poverty So how do you think, um, going school with those kids of different backgrounds, how has that kind of affected your childhood and maybe today or just like your overall development? Aigbomian explains how going to school with kids in poverty affects who she is today. Aigbomian has always been surrounded with kids of different backgrounds because of her constant moving around Nigeria. Aigbomian explains her father’s difficult childhood as one of nine children and how that inspired him to open up a school for poverty stricken children. Aigbomian then talks about how her father’s work inspired her to help people in need. &quot ; Street kids&quot ; ; Creole ; Edo State ; Military ; Nigeria ; Pidgin English ; Poverty ; Proper English Childhood ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Employment ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Lagos (Nigeria) ; Occupations ; Poverty 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/8e51ac4077f6a242de94b5ca64d47c99.png “Location of Edo State in Nigeria,” Wikipedia 434 Family traditions in Nigeria and lack of traditions in America So what family traditions did you have back in Nigeria? Aigbomian explains how different the traditions are in Nigeria compared to traditions in America. Aigbomian describes the importance of Christmas and Easter in Nigeria, celebrations which include parades and weddings. She recalls Nigerian weddings as very fun and celebratory and even the funerals are a celebration of the person’s life. Aigbomian also talks about how as she got older and started living in America, she started to feel more autonomy and she did not want to deal with every Nigerian tradition because of how many Nigerian traditions there are. Celebratory ; Christmas ; Diaspora ; Easter ; Funerals ; Nigerian weddings ; Spray dance ; Spraying money Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Lagos (Nigeria) 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/34f3f5dc81e3aab553fc5f45c84aafed.jpg Aigbomian at her brother's wedding in Lagos, 2018, courtesy of Enitan Aigbomian 682 Description of her family / Motivation to immigrate Um, do you have any family in Nigeria or America or are they all here or are they all in Nigeria? Aigbomian has three siblings. She and her two sisters live in the United States with her mother, while her brother lives in Nigeria with her father. Aigbomian keeps in touch with her brother, father, and all her cousins in Nigeria. Aigbomian also describes the deciding factor that led she and her sisters to America. Aigbomian's mother’s siblings already lived in the United States, so she moved in 1999 to make a new start, with Aigbomian joining her in 2002. Aigbomian remembers being very excited about going to America to reunite with her mother. She thought of America as a magical place where there were no hardships or problems. Aigbomian was so excited that she left all her Naira (currency) in Nigeria because she did not care about it anymore. Chain migration ; Divorce ; Hardships ; London (England) ; London, England ; Naira ; Nigeria ; Nigerian Air Force Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Lagos (Nigeria) 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/1c108ffe9e33434fb7df2b61e25d9e7d.jpg &quot ; Naira Currency&quot ; , WikiPedia 908 Initial hopes about America / Leaving behind family and friends / Preparation for moving So what were your initial hopes when coming to America? Aigbomian was very excited about seeing her mother in America, who she had been apart from for three years ; all she wanted to do was see and talk to her in person. She also looked forward to seeing snow. Aigbomian does not really remember what she left behind, as she was only eight years old, although she left behind her dad's side of the family. Aigbomian also does not really remember packing and getting ready for America. She remembers packing the scary Baby Alive doll that she loved so much. Baby Alive dolls ; Esmerelda doll ; Impressions of America ; Snow Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Lagos (Nigeria) 17 1103 Memories from her first day in America So you talked about coming in 1999, do you remember like, either like-- Aigbomian arrived in July, 2002 at the John F. Kennedy Airport. She explains how awesome it was to see her mother in America after 3 years of not seeing her. They drove to Jamaica, Queens, where her mother was already living. She felt excited to see the environment, and specifically remembers seeing a KFC restaurant. Aigbomian talks about how every single thing that she saw stood out to her because of the big difference between New York City and Lagos, Nigeria. Aigbomian was surprised by the cable television running at all times and different types of food, like broccoli, that she did not initially like, and the large variety of cereals. The only thing that did not meet her expectations was the place where her mom and family were going to live, which was not the house with the white picket fence like she imagined from the &quot ; Home Alone&quot ; movie. Broccoli ; Expectations ; Home Alone (Motion picture) ; Jamaica, Queens (N.Y.) ; John F. Kennedy Airport ; Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Lagos (Nigeria) ; New York (N.Y.) 40.641287, -73.778171 14 John F. Kennedy Airport http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/bcb2fd4c4185a2c8caaffddd32f17231.jpg “Jamaica, Queens Neighborhood ,” Courtesy of Jim Henderson 1302 Perception of America / Transforming from British to American English So how was like your perspective of America shaped when you were in Nigeria? Aigbomian's perceptions of America were shaped by movies and soap operas, including &quot ; Home Alone.&quot ; She envisioned a big house, big white fence, big yard, and big kitchen in her new home in America. Instead, her mom was living in the basement of her friend’s house and she was a little disappointed, but it did not matter because they had cable. Aigbomian and her family moved to Philadelphia in November or December of 2002. New York was Aigbomian's first introduction to America and it scared her at first. The school she went to was big, dark, and very structured. Because children start school earlier in Nigeria, the school made her repeat fourth grade, as she was younger than her classmates. Aigbomian spoke Pidgin English as well as British English from growing up in Nigeria, but had no introduction to American English. She views her British English as a “curse” as she had to re-learn American ways of saying and spelling things. &quot ; Street English&quot ; ; American culture ; American movies ; American soap operas ; American system of education ; Americanization ; British colony ; Creole ; Education systems ; Friends ; Haiti ; Home Alone (Motion picture) ; Language acquisition ; New York ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Pidgin English ; Proper English ; Vernacular English Childhood ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Lagos (Nigeria) ; New York (N.Y.) 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/dfe7cff19c82d2a609798eeda93d8d9b.jpg Home in Winnetka, Illinois, used in the filming of Home Alone. WikiPedia 1682 Reason for moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania / Time in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania What made you, uh, come to Philadelphia? Aigbomian recalls that her mother wanted to relocate to Pennsylvania because she was a single mom raising 3 kids in New York, and heard it would be safer and less expensive in Pennsylvania. Aigbomian did not have a good start in Cheltenham when on the first day of school she had to take the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), a standardized test. After doing very poorly on the exams, Aigbomian had to take all remedial courses. This confused her and made the transition to American culture more difficult. Abington Township (Pa.) ; Abington Township, Pennsylvania ; Cheltenham Township (Pa.) ; Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania ; CVS Pharmacy ; New York City (N.Y.) ; New York City, New York ; Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) ; Rite Aid Pharmacy Childhood ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; New York (N.Y.) 40.059912, -75.107753 17 Cheltenham Elementary School 1862 Education in Nigeria, Queens, and suburban Philadelphia So yeah, um, (??) how would you compare kind of your schooling in Nigeria to your schooling in America? Aigbomian explains how she was a really great student when she was younger in Nigeria, but after moving to America she struggled a lot. Aigbomian says she was always confused but did not know she was confused at the time and just felt she should have known everything. Aigbomian describes schooling in Jamaica, Queens as not very diverse and not making many friends. It was in Cheltenham where Aigbomian made more friends but also learned about the concept of being Black, which was not a concept in Nigeria, as identity was based on tribe. Because she was Black and knew how to speak English, everything was introduced forcefully and understood immediately. Black Americans ; Cheltenham Township (Pa.) ; Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania ; Education ; Esan Tribe ; Jamaica, Queens (N.Y.) ; Nigeria ; Race ; Suburbs Childhood ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Lagos (Nigeria) ; New York (N.Y.) 40.082251, -75.127780 17 Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania 2041 Learning racial pressure / Assimilating into American culture / What is wrong with Philadelphia / Life in Abington So you kind of talked about, um, that racial pressure put on you when you first came to America, um, and not knowing about it even in Nigeria. Aigbomian describes the first time when she was exposed to the American racial pressure, when another girl told her she was “Black” and Aigbomian understood that was a negative connotation. Aigbomian was slowly assimilated to Black American culture when she was told that she could not have a crush on a boy because he was White. Aigbomian tried hard to try to get rid of her Nigerian accent and sound more American. She did not like living in the suburbs of Cheltenham or Abington (where she moved in 2005) as much as being in a city. Abington Township (Pa.) ; Abington Township, Pennsylvania ; Americanization ; Black Americans ; Cheltenham Township (Pa.) ; Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania ; Diversity ; New York (N.Y.) ; Old York Road Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Race relations ; Racism 17 2292 &quot ; Home Alone&quot ; style of house / Middle &amp ; high school in America / American and Nigerian identities as a child Um, in Abington did you--because you talked about that &quot ; American Dream&quot ; kind of-- Aigbomian was initially very excited to live in a house in Abington because her mother bought a house and the children had their own rooms. Aigbomian started to perform better academically in sixth grade, but was confused in seventh grade when they were split into different schools based on neighborhoods. She also struggled to figure out what it meant to be Black in America in addition to having a more protective immigrant mother. Aigbomian did not like explaining her Nigerian heritage to her new friends. As Aigbomian got through middle and high school, she defiantly thought of herself as more American rather than Nigerian so that she could try to fit in with her friends. &quot ; African Booty Scratcher&quot ; ; Abington High School ; Abington Township (Pa.) ; Abington Township, Pennsylvania ; American culture ; American dream ; Americanization ; Assimilation ; Black Americans ; Home Alone (Motion picture) ; Immigrant mothers Childhood ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Race relations ; Racism 40.112147, -75.131455 15 Abington High School 2519 Higher education at George Washington University and Temple University and work in Latin America So, you said you went to graduate school at Temple, right? After graduating from Abington High School, Aigbomian attended George Washington University and she really enjoyed making new Nigerian friends in Washington, D.C. Aigbomian started to fully identify as a Nigerian rather than American and she was proud of her heritage. She studied economics and journalism then moved to Latin America to work with a nonprofit studying journalism in Bolivia. She began to understand the kind of international development work her father did for U.S.A.I.D., which she did not understand as a child. She wanted to work in Colombia since there were Black people there who looked Nigerian to her. After Bolivia, she began to study at Temple University in a graduate program where she studied developmental social change. Americanization ; Bolivia ; Colombia ; Economics ; George Washington University ; International Development ; Journalism ; Latin America ; Minister of Culture ; Nigerian ; Syrian ; Temple University ; Thailand ; United States Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D.) ; Washington, D.C. College environment ; College students--Social conditions ; Education ; Families. ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Universities and colleges. ; Washington (D.C.) 38.899773, -77.048470 17 George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 2841 Communication and social change work in Philadelphia So, like, for research I was given some information about you... Aigbomian currently works in communications work for social change. Aigbomian has worked with indigenous communities and Afro communities in Latin America. Aigbomian is currently working with Philadelphia's literacy campaign, “Read by 4th” to help grade school kids reach the 4th grade reading level by 4th grade. She reflects on the success of the literacy program, but cannot currently predict its impact, although she views education as empowering. Afro communities ; Communications ; Free Library of Philadelphia ; Indigenous communities ; Latin America ; Literacy ; Philly's Literacy Campaign ; Social change ; “Read By 4th” (Philadelphia’s literacy campaign) Childhood ; Community ; Education ; Immigrants 17 3019 Hobbies / Reflections on her Nigerian and American identities So with all the work you're doing, do you have any other like hobbies or activities that you, uh, do now? Aigbomian enjoys writing, traveling, being in the city, dancing, and hanging out with friends. She now has a difficult time identifying as fully Nigerian or fully American. She recalls recently visiting Nigeria with her mother, and quickly switching into Pidgin English to communicate, yet there she felt very American. While in Philadelphia she sometimes feels more Nigerian, and now chooses Nigerian ways of interacting with people rather than the “rude” way that Americans interact. Being a woman in America is very empowering and she can see herself thrusting herself in the front seat when it comes to social issues. Americanization ; Assimilation ; Code switching ; Dancing ; Empowerment ; Nigeria ; Pidgin English ; Traveling ; Writing Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 3280 Life in Cedar Park, West Philadelphia Yeah, so, um, where do you live now? Aigbomian currently lives in the Cedar Park neighborhood in West Philadelphia. Aigbomian really likes West Philadelphia because of the community and how friendly everyone is. Although she did not like suburban Philadelphia as a child, she now loves living in Philadelphia as an adult and appreciates its diversity and community feel and affordability. She likes the flexibility of Philadelphia and feels like people can make their own community there. In Cedar Park, gentrification has forced some Black residents further west. American culture ; Cedar Park (Philadelphia neighborhood) ; Collectiveness ; Gentrification ; Latin American culture ; Liberians ; Nigerian culture ; Upper Darby (Pa.) ; Upper Darby, Pennsylvania ; West Philadelphia (Pa.) Childhood ; Community ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Race relations 39.949491, -75.218987 17 Cedar Park, Philadelphia (Pa.) 3596 Looking ahead 10 years So, where do you want to be in 10 years? In 10 years, when Aigbomian is 35, she hopes to have kids and be married. She hopes to be living outside of the United States to give her kids a global experience. She would like to work in Nigeria or in Latin America. She reflects on the diversity among humans and hopes that her children can appreciate that one day. Children ; Diversity ; Future ; Global citizens ; Nigeria ; Philadelphia (Pa.) Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 17 interview Enitan Aigbomian shares the story of her arrival and transition into the American lifestyle. Aigbomian is a 25 year old Nigerian immigrant who moved to the United States at the young age of 8 with her mother and sisters. Aigbomian talks about her days growing up in New York and Philadelphia, and how she had to transition into the American lifestyle. As a 25 year old college graduate, Aigbomian reflects on her time in the United States and talks about what her future entails. No transcript. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries. audio Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. 0 https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh1446_irw0091_aigbomian_ohm.xml 2019oh1446_irw0091_aigbomian_ohm.xml https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7m901zgq96 Indexed By Brady Day Sort Priority 0002 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Interview: Enitan Aigbomian Description An account of the resource Enitan Aigbomian shares the story of her arrival and transition into the American lifestyle. Aigbomian is a 25 year old Nigerian immigrant who moved to the United States at the young age of 8 with her mother and sisters. Aigbomian talks about her days growing up in New York and Philadelphia, and how she had to transition into the American lifestyle. As a 25 year old college graduate, Aigbomian reflects on her time in the United States and talks about what her future entails. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2019oh1446_irw0091 Subject The topic of the resource Childhood Community Immigrants Philadelphia (Pa.) Race relations Education Emigration and immigration. Families. New York (N.Y.) Lagos (Nigeria) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available WCU, HIS 399/HON 451 Oral History of Philadelphia Immigration, Spring 2019 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 25, 2019 https://www.phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/d4892dec5597b8d5a0f5dd4df9752d99.jpg 33b09c60a1667f478e3ac3c268542e4b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Philadelphia Immigration Project Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Kelsey Bastien Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Dilmohan "Dale" Grewal OHMS Object https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh0161_irw0087_ohm.xml Interview Keyword Buffalo (N.Y.) Rochester (N.Y.) Toronto (Ont.) London (England) Marriage OHMS Object Text 5.2 2019oh0161_irw0087 Interview with Dilmohan &quot ; Dale&quot ; Grewal, March 27, 2019 2019oh0161_irw0087 irw I Remember When: Times Gone But Not Forgotten Oral History Project Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Childhood Education Families. New Delhi (India) Nigeria Emigration and immigration. Immigrants Discrimination Racism Race relations Employment Occupations Downingtown (Pa.) Philadelphia (Pa.) Buffalo (N.Y.) Rochester (N.Y.) Toronto (Ont.) London (England) Marriage Dilmohan &quot ; Dale&quot ; Grewal Kelsey Bastien 2019oh0161_irw0087_grewal_acc001.mp3 0 https://oralhistory.uky.edu/spokedbaudio/2019oh0161_irw0087_grewal_acc001.mp3 Other NULL audio 26 Introduction Okay, so my name is Kelsey Bastien and I am sitting down with Dale Grewal at his house, um, in Downingtown. This section introduces the interviewer, Kelsey Bastien. It also introduces Dilmohan Grewal and some brief background of the interviewee. Downingtown, Pennsylvania ; Shimla, India Downingtown (Pa.) ; Shimla (India) 31.094335, 77.189943 7 Shimla, India, Dale Grewal's birthplace http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/4dce81970547df74fb858db0f46a5e37.jpg A picture of Dale Grewal. Courtesy of Dale Grewal. 69 Childhood, family, and education in India Okay, and can you describe that for me? Grewal briefly explains his early life in India. Being separated from his family for most of his childhood, he describes living in his parents' village and living with his uncle who was an attorney in New Delhi. He then expands on living in New Delhi when his father and mother returned from Scotland, where his father attended medical school, and how Grewal attended school in India until he was a freshman in high school. Amish ; Cardiology ; Childhood ; Education ; Government of India ; India ; New Delhi ; Scotland ; Separation ; Villages Childhood ; Education ; Families. ; New Delhi (India) 28.654894, 77.210636 10 New Delhi, where Mr. Grewal lived as a child after his father returned from medical school. http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/be52bf5210e3bf9fb5f85423720e806b.jpg A portrait of Dale Grewal and his family. From left to right: Ajita Rani Kaur Kang (sister), Dr. Manohar Singh Grewal (father), Dale Grewal, Harbans Kaur Grewal (mother), Palvinder Singh Grewal (brother). Courtesy of Dale Grewal. 390 Experience in Nigeria My father transferred to Nigeria. Grewal remembers his time in Nigeria, where he and his family moved when Grewal was in the ninth grade when his father was employed by the World Health Organization. He talks about the beauty and lifestyle of Nigeria and the different people that he met during his experience. He talks about his ease of picking up the language and he also reminisces about his adventures in the Niger Republic with his brother Palvinder, where he and his brother observed the Fulani tribe. Cultural diversity ; Education ; Family reunification ; Fulani Tribe ; General Yakba &quot ; Jack&quot ; Dan-Yumma Gowon ; Independence ; Language acquisition ; Niger Republic ; Nigeria ; Nomad ; Post-colonialism ; Sahara Desert ; World Health Organization Childhood ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Nigeria 11.017836, 5.895900 6 Northwestern Nigeria, where Mr. Grewal and his family lived for 5 years of his life. http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/79eb440b9823a4de3544714ddab6eb89.jpg A costume parade by the Fulani Tribe in Nigeria, Magicc0077, Wikimedia Commons, Dec. 16, 2016. 742 Experiences in Canada So, after Africa, where did you go from there? Grewal talks about moving to Toronto, Canada in 1974, joining his brother Palvinder who had recently moved there to continue his education. He explains how his father immigrated to America around the same time, as he gained employment at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio in 1976. He then talks briefly about moving to Buffalo, New York before eventually settling in Rochester, New York. Grewal reflects on his struggles with malaria, which he contracted in Nigeria, but no one could diagnose it in Toronto, leaving him reliant on his brother's support and an old friend from Nigeria to eventually restore his health. Buffalo, New York ; Canada ; Cleveland Clinic ; Cleveland, Ohio ; Etobicoke Hospital (Ontario) ; George Brown College ; Graphic arts ; London, England ; Malaria ; Rochester Institute of Technology ; Rochester, New York ; Sibling relationships ; Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; University Buffalo (N.Y.) ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; London (England) ; Rochester (N.Y.) ; Toronto (Ont.) 43.676011, -79.410571 12 George Brown College in Toronto, Canada where Mr. Grewal lived with his brother and attended school. http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/1628fde7dc63220c86d0eccf0eefa996.jpg A picture of Toronto in the 1970s, as Mr. Grewal would have experienced it, c. 1970, courtesy of Ellis Wiley, Wikimedia Commons. 1061 Reflecting back on his journeys before immigrating to America As you're entering the United States, like what did you bring with you, other than your brother... Grewal reflects on his time in Nigeria, England, and Canada before immigrating to the United States. Grewal talks about the discrimination he faced in some countries, and the privileges that advantaged him in others. He especially focuses on the discrimination he faced in Toronto, where others hurt and harassed him because they thought he was Pakistani and called him &quot ; Paki,&quot ; a derogatory term. He recounts soup and soda poured on his head and remembers the fear of traveling by himself. In the United States, he did not face such discrimination and looks fondly on the relief afforded to him in his new home. Caste systems ; Classism ; Discrimination ; Equality ; Indian ; Pakistani ; Racism ; Stereotypes ; Toronto, Canada Discrimination ; Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Race relations ; Racism 17 1288 Hopes for success and expectations for the United States Did you have--when you decided to go to Rochester with Paul, um, did you have certain hopes or did that fear of discrimination follow you? Grewal talks about his fears of discrimination disappearing as he entered the United States and found many opportunities. Growing up in India he gained the idea that engineers, doctors, or other professionals found the most success in the United States. Grewal also speaks about his parents and how they taught him lessons about friendship, cleanliness, and charity so that he may find success in his adult life. Diversity ; Education ; First jobs ; Generational changes ; Individuality ; Opportunity ; Perseverance ; Professionalism ; Rochester Institute of Technology ; Upward mobility Discrimination ; Emigration and immigration. ; Employment ; Immigrants ; Occupations ; Race relations ; Racism 43.084589, -77.674334 13 Rochester Institute of Technology, in Rochester, New York, where Mr. Grewal and his brother Palvinder attended school. 1819 Arrival to the United States and moving around the Northeast Back to, to the train of thought, um, when did you come to the U.S.? Grewal remembers moving to Cleveland from Toronto in 1976. He reflects on Cleveland's similarities to India and the kindness he encountered from the Americans there. He got his first job in New Jersey at J. Josephson and Sons in 1978 after graduating from RIT with a bachelor's degree in graphic arts. His next job was in a very small town in Pennsylvania, which differed greatly from the city lifestyle he became accustomed to, making the job a poor fit for Grewal. He moved back to Toronto, working for four and a half years at Proctor &amp ; Gamble to escape the small town lifestyle of Pennsylvania and to avoid the grief of his mother dying from pancreatic cancer. Grewal continues to speak about his time working in America and how he needed to learn about the politics of smaller companies to successfully carry out his position. He then returned to the United States in 1985 in an attempt to earn his MBA at Drexel University. He became an American citizen in 1981. Altoona, Pennsylvania ; Buffalo, New York ; Cleveland, Ohio ; Drexel University ; Equality ; Graphic arts ; J. Josephson and Sons ; Master of Business Administration (MBA) ; Mistakes ; New Jersey ; Pain ; Pancreatic cancer ; Proctor and Gamble ; Relocation ; Roaring Springs, Pennsylvania ; Rochester Institute of Technology ; United States citizenship Altoona (Pa.) ; Buffalo (N.Y.) ; Cleveland (Ohio) ; Emigration and immigration. ; Employment ; Immigrants ; Occupations ; Roaring Springs (Pa.) 40.333685, -78.397249 12 Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, where Grewal earned a position in Human Resources and struggled to adjust to the small town lifestyle the area offered. http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/50d2e06b70c3479137563a2ef24ac988.jpg A picture of Mario the Magnificent, at Drexel University where Mr. Grewal attended to pursue his MBA. Sebastian Weigand, Wikimedia Commons, Feb. 26, 2008. 2138 Meeting his wife in America It was then I lost my--in those days, cross pins were big time favorites. Mr. Grewal remembers meeting his now wife, Melissa after losing a cross pin and meeting her in the jewelry store she worked at when he went to get a replacement. He talks about gaining a position where she worked to get to know her better and talks about how their relationship progressed ; they married in 1988. He talks about how they have children now and how Melissa and the children have made him a better person. Cross pins ; Devon, Pennsylvania ; Importance of family ; Internal struggles ; Isolation ; Love ; Marriage ; Melissa Grewal ; Parenthood ; Sacrifices ; Support Devon (Pa.) ; Employment ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Marriage ; Occupations 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/2b512ced6ece23e13e7d8acdbb0a31c9.jpg A picture of Mr. and Mrs. Grewal on their wedding day. 2432 Thoughts on the Philadelphia area So before Melissa, pre-Melissa, how did you feel about the Philadelphia area? Grewal recalls that his parents moved to the Philadelphia area in 1979 when his mother fell sick with pancreatic cancer. He speaks about the initial feelings of isolation in the Downingtown area after his parents moved there while he was working in New Jersey. He saw the area as remote and remembers his particular surprise at not being able to find even a pizza parlor. He also speaks about how his feelings changed about the area after he met Melissa. Change in perspectives ; Downingtown, Pennsylvania ; Family ties ; Love ; Pancreatic cancer ; Pennsylvania Route 113 ; Rural Pennsylvania ; Uncertainty ; Woodmont Apartments Downingtown (Pa.) ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Marriage ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 40.025918, -75.690066 12 Woodmont Apartments, where Mr. Grewal's parents lived and Melissa lived for a short period of time before they married. 2655 Professional setbacks and opportunities So once you did decide to stay here, um, describe where you were, what were you doing? Grewal talks about his time after his father passed away, when he stopped pursuing his MBA and became a bank teller with Fidelity Bank in order to not burden his brother with his dependence. Melissa attended nursing school at West Chester University at the time. He perceives that he had trouble getting admitted into management programs at the bank because of his accent. He expands on all of the paths he took to get to the position he finds himself in today. Bank of America ; Bank tellers ; Banking ; Continental Bank ; Discrimination ; Diversity ; Fidelity Bank ; Job hunting ; King of Prussia, Pennsylvania ; Lionville, Pennsylvania ; Professional Bankers Development Program ; Unemployment ; Upward mobility ; West Chester University Discrimination ; Emigration and immigration. ; Employment ; Immigrants ; King of Prussia (Pa.) ; Lionville (Pa.) ; Occupations ; Race relations ; Racism 40.051044, -75.641360 14 Lionville, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Grewal first started working in banking at Fidelity Bank. 3132 Reflecting on the Downingtown area and those around him Was--were people in the community accepting? Mr. Grewal talks about settling in Downingtown with Melissa in 1988 and his lack of struggle with discrimination in the town. He speaks about being the last one in his family to settle in the area and talks about his sister, who moved to Texas with her husband. He also reflects on how the dynamics have changed within the United States and how he feels immigrants no longer hold themselves to the high professional standard that he held himself to when immigrating. &quot ; Melting pot&quot ; ; &quot ; The American Dream&quot ; ; Americanization ; Diversity ; Downingtown, Pennsylvania ; Green Card ; Influx of immigrants ; Integration ; Professionalism Downingtown (Pa.) ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/ac4651b074bf0d42a586aa6d18912eb6.png Route 202 corridor, where many families of Indian descent settled, including the Grewals. 3600 Reflections on status and opportunities So do you have any regrets or anything that you'd like to tell me that we haven't discussed yet? Grewal reflects on his life and whether he has any regrets. He reflects on his entitlements in India and in particular recalls a story where his family got tickets on a sold out plane because one of the people there knew Grewal. He talks about almost being treated like royalty in India and moving to America where no one knows who you are like they did in India. Despite the lack of social status in America, Grewal declares that his family means the most to him now and makes all of the sacrifices worth it. Blessings ; Caste systems ; Entitlement ; Equality ; Family ; Privileges ; Status Discrimination ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/d9c4ddc59d6a2920d1d8df538d76f6c2.jpg The Grewal family. Left to right: Greg, Kirsten, Major, Melissa and Dale. 4020 Reflections on what matters most Okay, do you have anything you want to talk about? Grewal reflects on what he considers most important in life. He comments on how well each of his three children are doing, yet he still continues to worry about them. He tells the interviewer, Kelsey, who is dating his son Major, that he considers her like a daughter. He talks about giving back and what means the most to him. He wants to give back to others because of how fortunate he feels he has been in his life. Care ; Family ; Giving back ; Love ; Parenthood ; Worry Children ; Families. ; Immigrants 17 interview Kelsey Bastien interviews Dale Grewal about his experience immigrating to America. Grewal speaks about the start of his life in India and discusses his experience being spread out from his family as his father went to medical school in England. Grewal then discusses his experiences moving to Nigeria around the age of 15 and then to Canada around the time he went to college. He reflects on classism and racism and how he felt more free from these constraints in America and Nigeria. He finally discusses his journey to America and how he got to where he is today. Grewal focuses on family, differences in culture, and his professional experiences throughout his immigration experience. No transcript. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries. audio Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. 0 https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh0161_irw0087_grewal_ohm.xml 2019oh0161_irw0087_grewal_ohm.xml https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7m901zgq96 Indexed By Kelsey Bastien Sort Priority 0020 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Interview: Dilmohan "Dale" Grewal Description An account of the resource Kelsey Bastien interviews Dale Grewal about his experience immigrating to America. Grewal speaks about the start of his life in India and discusses his experience being spread out from his family as his father went to medical school in England. Grewal then discusses his experiences moving to Nigeria around the age of 15 and then to Canada around the time he went to college. He reflects on classism and racism and how he felt more free from these constraints in America and Nigeria. He finally discusses his journey to America and how he got to where he is today. Grewal focuses on family, differences in culture, and his professional experiences throughout his immigration experience. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2019oh0161_irw0087 Subject The topic of the resource Childhood Education Families. New Delhi (India) Nigeria Emigration and immigration. Immigrants Discrimination Racism Race relations Employment Occupations Downingtown (Pa.) Philadelphia (Pa.) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available WCU, HIS 399/HON 451 Oral History of Philadelphia Immigration, Spring 2019 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 27, 2019 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Relation A related resource <a href="/exhibits/show/dilmohan-grewal/four-continents" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Explore an exhibit about Dale's life</a> https://www.phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/e6bcdef6df439f0e631550e238d54b5c.jpg 506db67e47a2974a974fb53a83a9bfd1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Philadelphia Immigration Project Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Isatu Kallon Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Algassimu Bah OHMS Object https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh0155_irw0086_ohm.xml Interview Keyword Community Religion Food habits Culture Assimilation Adaptation Fire fighters OHMS Object Text 5.2 2019oh0155_irw0086 Interview with Algassimu Bah, March 17, 2019 2019oh0155_irw0086 irw I Remember When: Times Gone But Not Forgotten Oral History Project Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Immigrants Emigration and immigration. Families. Liberia Philadelphia (Pa.) Gambia Michigan State University Occupations Employment Austin (Tex.) Community Religion Food habits Culture Assimilation Adaptation Fire fighters Algassimu Bah Isatu Kallon 2019oh0155_irw0086_bah_acc001.mp3 0 https://oralhistory.uky.edu/spokedbaudio/2019oh0155_irw0086_bah_acc001.mp3 Other NULL audio 1 Introduction My name is Isatu Kallon and I am interviewing today Algassimu Bah. Bah describes that he was born in Liberia and grew up during the country's civil war. He describes moving from Liberia to the United States when he was 11 years old, in 1998. They moved to Gambia before arriving in Michigan in 1999. Gambia ; Immigration journey ; Liberia ; Liberian Civil War (1989-1997) ; Michigan ; Refugees ; Second Liberian Civil War (1999-2003) Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 17 106 Living in Liberia So what were the condition in the country when you left? Bah describes the violence and lawlessness in Liberia during the civil war when he was a child. His family lived in Gambia for a year where he attended school and got settled, anticipating that they would soon immigrate to the United States. His father had immigrated to the United States in 1996 or 1997 and was able to prepare for the rest of the family's arrival. Bah immigrated with his mother, older brother and younger sister, traveling by airplane from Gambia to Senegal to the United States. Chain migration ; Gambia ; Immigration journey ; Liberian Civil War (1989-1997) ; Refugees ; Second Liberian Civil War (1999-2003) ; Senegal Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Liberia 6.335445, -9.441391 6 Liberia http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/651f70e32e14d7718998850512f10f59.jpg A technical in Monrovia during the Second Liberian Civil War 299 First impression upon arriving to the United States So how did other people treated you when they knew you guys were travelling to America? Bah recalls that people in Gambia treated his family kindly. He remembers his first impression of arrival in New York City and eating KFC, which he loved. His family came to Philadelphia and again everyone treated the family well. He quickly learned that he needed to speak English rather than his native language, Fula. He recalls how different it was not hearing the Muslim call to prayer or seeing mosques on every corner. But he observes that children are all the same in each country. First impressions ; Fula (Language) ; Immigration journey ; Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) ; Language acquisition ; Mosques ; Muslim call to prayer ; New York City (N.Y.) Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Gambia ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 476 Educational differences / Expectations of and reactions to the United States So education-wise, how was--like, how did the kids treated you at school? Bah recalls that when he began school in Michigan after moving from Philadelphia he was the first African kid in his middle school, so he kept quiet and did not run into any trouble. When in Africa, he imagined the United States would be like heaven with money growing on trees. In Michigan it first snowed in October, and he had never seen snow in his life or experienced such cold. Bah has few memories of school in Liberia as he only attended elementary school, but notes that parents beat children for poor grades ; there they had to stand in the school assembly and say prayers before going to class. He remembers the school in Michigan as very big, with students having their own lockers, rather than students staying in one room all day as they did in Liberia. He has attended middle and high school in the United States and attended Michigan State University studying Media Arts, interning at a TV station. Soccer and wrestling are other hobbies he enjoys. African ; Education ; Liberia ; Media arts ; Michigan State Spartans ; Scholarships ; Soccer ; Sports ; Teachers Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Michigan State University ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 1252 Current job So, um, where do you work right--presently? Bah describes the kinds of work he has done in Austin, Texas, including as a coach, substitute teacher, and currently as a firefighter in Manor, Texas. He talks about how much he loves helping other people, and shares that he volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. When he was younger, he was in the national society so he always wanted to be a firefighter. He likes teaching and helping the community. He says that he likes the hours at his work as a firefighter ; 24 hours of work and 48 hours off, which gives him plenty of time for other pursuits. How much work he did at the fire station will determine what he does on his day off. If they had more fire calls at work, he will just stay home on his day off and sleep, but if they had fewer calls, he will assist with coaching at the school, or playing soccer. Austin (Tex.) ; Austin, Texas ; Coaches ; Community ; Firefighters ; Habitat for Humanity ; Manor (Tex.) ; Manor, Texas ; Michigan State University ; Occupations ; Referees ; Soccer ; Substitute teachers ; Volunteers Austin (Tex.) ; Employment ; Fire fighters ; Immigrants ; Occupations 17 1471 Community and neighborhood Describe your neighborhood where you live. Bah says that since he moved to Texas, he has been living in the same area/neighborhood. Next to his two-bedroom house is a police station, which makes him feel safe. He likes the quiet of central Austin because when he comes home from work, he needs a quiet place to go to sleep. He says he talks to his neighbors once in a while. He shares that he has made friends with a neighbor from Spain who shares his love of soccer. Austin, Texas ; Neighbors ; Police stations ; Soccer ; Spain ; World Cup Austin (Tex.) ; Community ; Immigrants 17 1580 Hopes and dreams / Religion So what are some of your hopes and dreams in the future? Bah shares that he aspires to be promoted within the ranks of firefighters, as there are different positions including captain, or lieutenant, which he hopes to be in the next ten years. He also thinks about owning his own business or moving back to Africa if possible. He talks about how important his Islamic religion is in his life. He reports that he fasts during Ramadan and prays his five daily prayers, except if he is fighting fires, and goes to the mosque every Friday. Fasting ; Firefighters ; Islam ; Mosques ; Muslim ; Prayers ; Ramadan ; Religion Austin (Tex.) ; Employment ; Fire fighters ; Immigrants ; Occupations ; Religion 17 1731 Relationship with his family So describe your relationship with your family. Bah describes his relationship with his family is as close. After the family moved to Michigan, his older brother moved to Texas and he and the rest of his family followed. It takes him three hours to travel to where his mother lives and he visits her often. During the interview, he is in Philadelphia visiting family and friends. Detroit, Michigan ; Texas Austin (Tex.) ; Detroit (Mich.) ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 1822 Muslim holidays and ritual celebrations So what holidays do you celebrate? Although Bah states that there are not many holidays in the Muslim religion, he goes on to describe Eid Mubarak, the Muslim holiday that is celebrated after breaking the fasting during Ramadan. During this time is when everyone comes together to cook, eat, and celebrate. He compares it to the American holiday of Thanksgiving. He says that for Eid, everyone calls or sees family members who they haven't seen in a long time. He explains that he fasts during Ramadan from sunset to sundown, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The pillars are fasting, believing in God, prayers, going to Mecca and Zak-at, and donating to charity. He discusses that he has done four of the five pillars and that going to Mecca is the only one he has left. Christianity ; Eid Mubarak ; Fasting ; Mecca ; Muslims ; Pillars of Islam ; Ramadan ; Religion ; Zak-at Immigrants ; Religion 21.410319, 39.859569 17 Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where Bah hopes to go for Hajj. https://blog.britishmuseum.org/hajj-pilgrimage-to-mecca/ Hajj, where Bah wishes to go in the future. 2008 Feelings about the United States / African food So looking back, how do you feel about the United States? Do you regret it or no-- Bah states that coming to the United States was the best thing that ever happened to him. Although he laughs and says he was joking, he said coming here has opened new doors and opportunities. He does not know what would have happened if he had not immigrated. He describes some African food, but says that he is not the perfect cook. He lists several African foods, including cassava leaf, potato leaf, and peanut butter stew, which he knows how to cook. His mom sometimes cooks for him when she comes to visit, and his brother’s wife cooks African dishes as well. He jokes that he is ready to get married so his wife can cook African cuisine. Cassava leaf ; Hakor bantara ; Hakor putteh ; Jollof rice ; Mafeh Tiger ; Peanut butter soup ; Potato leaf ; Senegal Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Food habits ; Immigrants 17 2192 United States citizenship So are you a U.S citizen? Bah talks about how he became a citizen in either 2007 or 2008. His family arrived with a visa that his father obtained because he worked for the United States Embassy. Then his father helped the rest of the family come here to the United States. After they arrived, they went through the process of naturalization in which he took a test to become a citizen. American Embassy ; Citizenship ; Liberia ; Naturalization ; Visa Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 17 2261 Challenges in the first six months in the U.S. So what challenges did you face in the first six months? Bah says that the primary challenge upon immigrating was the weather, which was already cold once he arrived in Michigan. He had to acquire snow boots and a heavy jacket. Another challenge was the lack of fresh African foods. His mom bought the ingredients, but it did not taste the same because it was not fresh. In Detroit where he grew up, kids misbehaved and did not get beaten up, in contrast to back home where the teachers hit students if they misbehaved. As a soccer lover, he was surprised that in Michigan people played soccer and other sports inside homes because it was too cold outside. He was surprised by taking a school bus. The way houses were built in the U.S. is different than Liberia. African cuisine ; Detroit, Michigan ; Liberia ; Michigan ; New York ; School buses ; Soccer ; Weather Detroit (Mich.) ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 17 2545 Advice and solving problems / Comparing Detroit, Michigan and Liberia So who do you go to for advice and solving problems? Bah describes that when he moved here, he went to his dad for advice or his teachers since they have been here longer and they knew more about the culture than he did. He said in Detroit most of the kids in the school were black so there was less discrimination, except when they asked to copy his homework and he refused, then they called him “African booty scratcher.&quot ; He adapted to the name calling and didn't get into fights. He comments on how in the United States he had to do homework after school, and could not run around and play soccer. His father gave him other reading to do as well, or he had to watch the news with him. Bullying ; Detroit, Michigan ; Discrimination ; Harassment ; Homework ; Name-calling ; Schools ; Soccer Detroit (Mich.) ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 17 2815 Cultural adaptation and lifestyle changes So what lifestyle changes have you made since you came to the U.S.? Bah says he learned to adapt with school and kids in school because they did things differently. In Detroit, he ate in the cafeteria. In contrast, in Liberia children bought food in the street or people came to the school’s fence to sell food. Here, he eats at the table rather than on the ground. He also changed the way he dresses. When driving here you needed to be careful he said, and do not argue with the cops. He observes that some of these changes are because he has grown up, not necessarily related to emigrating from Liberia to the United States. Adaptation ; Assimilation ; Culture ; Detroit, Michigan ; Liberia ; Police ; Schools ; Teachers Detroit (Mich.) ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 17 2910 Cultural differences Which place have you found that reminds you most of your home country? Bah reminisces that Philadelphia and New York reminded him of home in Liberia because of the way the houses are built closer to each other and how people come out to play outside, as compared to Texas where the houses are far apart from each other. He has been to Philadelphia visiting family and friends, and when he first arrived to the U.S. He said the hardest thing for him to get used to was the weather. The summer in Texas is way too hot for him, but that reminds him of Africa. Adaptation ; America ; Assimilation ; Culture ; Food ; New York ; Schools ; Sports ; Texas Austin (Tex.) ; Detroit (Mich.) ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 30.273938, -97.742510 17 Austin (Tex.) 3131 Speaking with an accent / Thoughts on returning to Africa And to get used to, I guess the people. Bah talks about the challenges he has experienced when native born Americans can't understand him due to his accent. Bah says he did not care, because he was there to get an education and avoided getting in fights. He recalls &quot ; embarrassing&quot ; classmates who made fun of his accent by excelling at soccer and running faster than them. He again discusses the weather, both the cold in Michigan and the heat in Texas, not liking either. His final complaint is traffic and the increase in toll roads. He then reflects on why he might in the future want to move to Liberia, perhaps when he retires, if Liberia is in a more stable state. Adaptation ; African culture ; Assimilation ; Culture ; Education ; English language ; Michigan State University ; Soccer ; Traffic Austin (Tex.) ; Detroit (Mich.) ; Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants 17 3486 Involvement with the African Student Union at Michigan State University Is there anything else you would like to share that I haven't asked you already? Bah closes by praising the Spartans of Michigan State University, and mentions being involved with the African Student Union (ASU). In high school he hung out with African American friends, but in college he began hanging out with African students and started dressing like an African. He enjoyed college by being active with international students and playing sports. He notes that there were many Nigerian students. He discusses the events the ASU held at MSU, including eating African foods, having fashion shows, and hosting a gala. African culture ; African Student Union ; College life ; Ghana ; Michigan State University ; Nigeria College environment ; College students--Social conditions ; Detroit (Mich.) ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Universities and colleges. 42.701895, -84.482075 17 Michigan State University https://msu.edu/~asu/ Michigan State University African Student Union interview Algassimu Bah and his family left Liberia when he was 11 years old, they went to Gambia and later, at 13, he and his family relocated to the United States because of the war. His father wanted the best education for him and his siblings. When they were about to leave for the United States, people were really nice to them because they wanted them not to forget about them when they arrived. The way he imagined the USA was different as compared to reality. Back home when he heard of America, he thought of no suffering, have anything you want, as if it is a second heaven. No transcript. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries. audio Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. 0 https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh0155_irw0086_bah_ohm.xml 2019oh0155_irw0086_bah_ohm.xml https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7m901zgq96 Indexed By Isatu Kallon Sort Priority 0005 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Interview: Algassimu Bah Description An account of the resource Algassimu Bah and his family left Liberia when he was 11 years old, they went to Gambia and later, at 13, he and his family relocated to the United States because of the war. His father wanted the best education for him and his siblings. When they were about to leave for the United States, people were really nice to them because they wanted them not to forget about them when they arrived. The way he imagined the USA was different as compared to reality. Back home when he heard of America, he thought of no suffering, have anything you want, as if it is a second heaven. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2019oh0155_irw0086 Subject The topic of the resource Immigrants Emigration and immigration. Families. Liberia Philadelphia (Pa.) Gambia Michigan State University Occupations Employment Austin (Tex.) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available WCU, HIS 399/HON 451 Oral History of Philadelphia Immigration, Spring 2019 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 17, 2019 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Relation A related resource <a href="/exhibits/show/algassimu-bah/firefighter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Explore an exhibit on Algassimu's life</a> https://www.phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/61d20624c4b6b726019e2c4336fb20d7.jpeg ea3f025284cfadb5eb538c989eb68946 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Philadelphia Immigration Project Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Mikaila Barba Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Mingchu Pearl Huynh OHMS Object https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh0152_irw0083_ohm.xml Interview Keyword Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association (NEPCA) Immigration policy Community New York City (N.Y.) Employment Occupations Refugees Buddhism Buddhist temples Refugee camps Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Childhood OHMS Object Text 5.2 2019oh0152_irw0083 Interview with Mingchu Pearl Huynh, March 16, 2019 2019oh0152_irw0083 irw I Remember When: Times Gone But Not Forgotten Oral History Project Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Emigration and immigration. Immigrants Philadelphia (Pa.) Politics and government Families. Religion Education Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association (NEPCA) Immigration policy Community New York City (N.Y.) Employment Occupations Refugees Buddhism Buddhist temples Refugee camps Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Childhood Mingchu Pearl Huynh Mikaila Barba 2019oh0152_irw0083_huyhn_acc001.mp3 0 https://oralhistory.uky.edu/spokedbaudio/2019oh0152_irw0083_huyhn_acc001.mp3 Other NULL audio 38 Introduction Alright, hello. My name is Mikaila Barba and I am interviewing Mingchu Pearl Huynh... Mikaila introduces the interview process and the project to Pearl Huynh. The pair share a greeting before diving into the questions. 17 73 Growing up during the conflict of the Vietnam War So tell me a little bit about your childhood and where you grew up. At an early age, Huynh's family lost their wealth and they were forced to move frequently due to the fighting in the Vietnam War, including to Pleiku during the Tet Offensive. During the Tet Offensive, her family's home burned down. Her family members each prepared bags daily in case they needed to run in response to the fighting. She recalls receiving a Chinese education at the school where her grandfather was a scholar and principal. Despite her young age, Huynh contributed financially to her family by starting her own business sewing applique to sell at the market. Appliques ; Chinese schools ; Pleiku (Vietnam) ; Pleiku, Vietnam ; Saigon (Vietnam) ; Saigon, Vietnam ; Tea industry ; Tet Offensive ; Vietcong ; Vietnam War Childhood ; Families. ; Vietnam War, 1961-1975 13.971752, 108.009090 17 Pleiku, Vietnam, where Huynh spent some of her childhood. 420 Developing an interest in Buddhism At that time like I cannot go to school and I cannot go to the night market to sell stuff... Huynh discusses how she developed an interest in Buddhism when accompanying her grandmother to a Buddhist temple and reading Buddhist writings. Referring to the hierarchy of needs, she describes that after having her financial needs met by her small business and her psychosocial needs met by school, she started to look towards spiritual things. Buddhism ; Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Religion 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/27342e9e9376b21ca7789497e0548355.jpeg Photo of Huynh worshiping at a Buddhist monastery in New York 623 Huynh's family fleeing Vietnam to the Kuku Island refugee camp Then in 1979, um, at that time Viet--Vietnam was, um, they start to get rid of the Chinese. As conflict grew in Vietnam with the Chinese, Huynh's family merchandise was confiscated by the government and they were forced to pay large sums of money to flee the country. Unfortunately, there were only enough funds to allow seven of the children to leave. Circumventing the government, Huynh's family found a way to get the rest of the children out of South Vietnam via boat, where they shortly arrived in the refugee camp of Kuku Island in 1979. Buddha ; Buddhism ; Kuku Island (Singapore) ; Malaysia ; Navy ; Refugee camps ; Singapore ; Spirituality 1.223520, 103.861140 17 Kuku Island, Singapore, where Huynh stayed in a refugee camp. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1979/08/27/refugees-bring-order-to-life-in-camps/5b619221-66e3-45ff-a614-4b6a0d20bbcd/?noredirect=on&amp ; utm_term=.c590a46fb612 Paul Zach, &quot ; Refugees bring order to life in camps,&quot ; The Washington Post, Aug 27, 1979, detailing life in the refugee camp on Kuku Island, Indonesia. 1027 Coming to America / Following the Buddha We stay in Singapore, um, for one day and then we take the airplane and then, um, to the United States. After decades of moving, Huynh reunited with her family when she came to Philadelphia. Huynh talks with appreciation about her sister who sponsored her arrival to the United States, showing the interviewer her refugee status I-94 form. She recalls that her sister died of liver disease in Philadelphia. She shares about how the Buddha continues to work in her life and led her to a different path, noting that she left Philadelphia to live in a Buddhist temple in New York. Australia ; Buddhism ; Buddhist temples ; Family ; I-94 Form ; Liver disease ; New York ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Refugee status Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Refugees ; Religion 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/c8769334689b4c54a9347f542e0e5565.jpeg From left to right, Mingchu Pearl Huynh, brother Tommy Huynh, sister Nancy Huynh Quach. Nancy is the sister that sponsored Huynh to come to the United States. 1234 Transition from refugee to American teen So when we left off you were talking about how Buddhism is really important to you... Huynh talks about arriving in the United States in 1980 with almost nothing, but getting settled with the help of the Nationalities Services Center (NSC). She took a non-traditional route by leaving her family in Philadelphia, and going to New York where she then attended high school. She recalls the challenges of living with a foster family (her first foster father was her Buddhist master, then she was sent to live with a Seventh Day Adventist pastor), learning English, and attending American school. Buddhist masters ; Buddhist monk ; Buddhist monks ; Covina (Calif.) ; Covina, California ; Foster family ; Government benefits ; Language acquisition ; Nationalities Service Center ; Refugee status ; Seventh Day Adventists ; Taiwan Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Refugees ; Religion 34.089833, -117.889844 17 Covina, California, where Huynh finished high school. 1555 Leaving Buddhism to experience life / Meeting the Dalai Lama So in the meantime, my master in New York... Huynh recalls that from 1983-86 she lived at a Buddhist temple. As Pearl became educated, she strayed from her Buddhist upbringing. She remembers living with a significant other, then later being single, before striving to be financially successfully by studying financial advice through books on tape. Once out on her own, she started her career in information technology and rose to many levels of success, working in software development and related fields. After gaining career success, Huynh had a transformative experience when meeting the Dalai Lama while traveling in Australia. His message encouraged her to re-commit her life to service. She also describes meeting her husband. Australia ; Books on tape ; Buddhist temples ; Chase Bank ; Dalai Lama ; Graduate schools ; Information technology (IT) ; Kalachakra ; New York City Retirement System ; Software development ; The City Foundation ; Wall Street ; Y2K Education ; Employment ; Occupations ; Religion 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/b44674aa1c1efe7aac78bdb750ad5a7b.jpeg Photo of Huynh in her office at the New York City Employees Retirement System, where she worked as a programmer analyst. 1942 Returning to Philadelphia What drew you back to Philadelphia from New York? Huynh discusses how she helped The City Foundation become established, working there from 1998-2008. While volunteering alongside her husband William for The City Foundation, she realized how their different backgrounds led to challenges in their marriage. After the economic crash and becoming introspective from the suspected &quot ; end of the world&quot ; in 2012 ; Huynh decided to move back to Philadelphia to be close to family. 2012 Phenomenon ; Chinatown, New York ; Flipping houses ; Health Center Ten ; Tzu Chi Foundation ; Volunteers Employment ; Families. ; Occupations ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/ea74f1b7ed435109cb1103f9d425c22d.jpeg Photo of Huynh and her husband William Liu as volunteers for the Tzu Chi Foundation. 2303 A non-traditional view of family / Education in the United States How has the concept of family changed... Due to the many changes in Huynh's life, her view of family is non-traditional, having lived with a foster family and having a Buddhist master. Living in Philadelphia allows Huynh to feel a sense of closeness to her siblings. Huynh shares about her educational journey. Baruch College ; Brooklyn College ; City University of New York (CUNY) ; Family ; Pell Grants Education ; Families. ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 2518 First day in America Do you remember your first day here? Huynh recounts her first day in the United States, June 15, 1980, and talks about arriving in Philadelphia. She has stronger memories of living in California, and notes the challenges of eating vegetarian. Three months after arriving, Huynh left home on her own and moved to New York to be with her spiritual master, learning how to ride the subway and navigate the bus schedules. Greyhound buses ; Language acquisition ; New York City (N.Y.) ; Public transportation ; Running away Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Religion 17 2823 Philadelphia versus New York How would you compare your experiences in New York with your experiences in Philadelphia? Huynh shares how she likes the slow pace of Philadelphia compared to the hustle-and-bustle of New York. After almost forty years, Pearl claims that Philadelphia has not changed. Huynh discusses the differences in her community in the United States versus Vietnam. Communism ; Community ; New York City (N.Y.) ; Vietnam ; Wall Street Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 https://hiddencityphila.org/2016/05/tourist-photos-from-1981-reveal-the-heart-of-old-philadelphia/ Photos of Philadelphia in the 1980s, around the time when Huynh came to Philadelphia. 3124 Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association--Part I And, um, and since I have a job at the, the health center, um, it bring me to a different perspective. Huynh details the difficult process to bring services to her community. Along with Pennsylvania State Representative Jared Solomon, Huynh started the organization &quot ; Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association.&quot ; She shares its mission and her role in the project. Andrew Dalzell ; Interpreters ; Jared Solomon ; Merchant Fund ; Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association (NEPCA) ; PASSE ; Translations ; WeChat ; Youtube Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 http://www.nepca.us/ Website for the Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association 3565 Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association--Part II We en--I encourage people to participate in civic organizations activity. Huynh works to get the Chinese community to participate in civic events. She notes the benefits to the individual and the recognition afforded to the Chinese people through their involvement in the community. Huynh shares about some of Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association's specific outreach efforts, such as street cleaning and decorating, and the seminar program. Castor Avenue (Philadelphia, Pa.) ; Cottman Avenue (Philadelphia, Pa.) ; Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association (NEPCA) ; Representation ; Street cleaning ; WeChat Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/35af159d17dbf98495412b251faefeed.jpeg Photo of Huynh standing in front of an advertisement for an event hosted by the Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association 3814 Treatment of immigrants by the U.S. government How has your, uh, interest in the government changed as the climate has changed? Huynh extends her appreciation to the United States government for giving her opportunities, including education. All these benefits have led her to want to give back to the community. In regards to the current immigration policy struggles in the U.S., Huynh chooses to believe in the good nature of the American people. Huynh talks about her transient views on the idea of home. Buddhism ; Immigrants ; Immigration policy Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Politics and government 17 4149 Efforts of Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association What are some unmet needs of the community? Huynh identifies the personal benefits given to her through her involvement in the Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association. She compares the impact of NEPCA as one candle lighting another, with each candle creating more light, which benefits the community. Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association (NEPCA) ; Selflessness Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 4457 The American dream What advice would you give to someone in your situation who's immigrating to the United States? Huynh struggles to think of advice for a new immigrant due to the challenges facing the United States today compared to the context when she came as a refugee. While Huynh believes that the &quot ; American Dream&quot ; is an idea of the past, she is fortunate enough to have achieved it. &quot ; American Dream&quot ; ; Generosity Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 4602 Photo albums and memories--Part I Okay, when I was in the refugee camp, uh, me and my, my s--my older sister start a sewing school. Huynh goes through her photo albums and shares the accompanying memories. She details her many talents in sewing, painting, and acupuncture. Buddha ; Painting Handicraft 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/e1e0eb3bce789085b8e3c5d53d1e723d.jpg Photo of Huynh posing with her painting of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas at the American Buddhist Confederation Temple where the artworks were created. 4988 Photo albums and memories--Part II No, I have, I have several boyfriends. Huynh shows the interviewer more photographs and describes her memories. She describes her husband, her career, her life in the refugee camp, her volunteer work, Buddhism, her nieces, and her experiences during the September 11, 2001 attacks when her husband was working in one of the World Trade Center buildings. Buddhism ; Carnegie Hall ; Husbands ; Jobs ; Nieces ; Photographs ; Refugee camps ; September 11, 2001 ; Taiwan ; Training ; Volunteering Employment ; Families. ; Occupations ; Volunteers 17 interview As part of the “Oral History of Philadelphia Immigration” course at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Mingchu Pearl Huynh was interviewed about her journey to the United States. Pearl shared stories of her transition from wealth to poverty, growing up in various refugee camps, and discovering Buddhism. After arriving in the United States, Pearl was determined to succeed, gaining an education and working in the hustle and bustle of New York City. Since setting in Philadelphia, Pearl has discovered her passion for service and has worked on developing the Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association (NEPCA). No transcript. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries. audio Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. 0 https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh0152_irw0083_huyhn_ohm.xml 2019oh0152_irw0083_huyhn_ohm.xml https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7m901zgq96 Indexed By Mikaila Barba Sort Priority 0022 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Interview: Mingchu Pearl Huynh Description An account of the resource As part of the “Oral History of Philadelphia Immigration” course at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Mingchu Pearl Huynh was interviewed about her journey to the United States. Pearl shared stories of her transition from wealth to poverty, growing up in various refugee camps, and discovering Buddhism. After arriving in the United States, Pearl was determined to succeed, gaining an education and working in the hustle and bustle of New York City. Since setting in Philadelphia, Pearl has discovered her passion for service and has worked on developing the Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association (NEPCA). Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2019oh0152_irw0083 Subject The topic of the resource Emigration and immigration. Immigrants Philadelphia (Pa.) Politics and government Families. Religion Education Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available WCU, HIS 399/HON 451 Oral History of Philadelphia Immigration, Spring 2019 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 16, 2019 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Relation A related resource <a href="/exhibits/show/mingchu-pearl-huynh/search-for-self" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Explore an exhibit about Mingchu's life</a> https://www.phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/05b3c3f7deb89d36dee44d04d45c657f.jpg 38a21b0f0e3f2e5c4d932cf4bba66bf7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Philadelphia Immigration Project Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Nicholas Heydeman Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Abolaji Amosu OHMS Object https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh0151_irw0082_ohm.xml Interview Keyword Food habits Nigerian culture Nigerian traditions Rituals College environment OHMS Object Text 5.2 2019oh0151_irw0082 Interview with Abolaji Amosu, March 16, 2019 2019oh0151_irw0082 irw I Remember When: Times Gone But Not Forgotten Oral History Project Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Philadelphia (Pa.) Families. Immigrants Education College students--Social conditions Universities and colleges. Emigration and immigration. Lagos (Nigeria) Childhood Food habits Nigerian culture Nigerian traditions Rituals College environment Abolaji Amosu Nicholas Heydeman 2019oh0151_irw0082_amosu_acc001.mp3 0 https://oralhistory.uky.edu/spokedbaudio/2019oh0151_irw0082_amosu_acc001.mp3 Other NULL audio 24 Introduction Interview with Ms. Abolaji Amosu. The interview begins at Northeast Regional Library in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The interviewer says both his and Amosu's names. Amosu notes her age to the interviewer. Nigerian immigration ; Northeast Regional Library 40.050535, -75.061279 15 Northeast Regional Library http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/4a77c3f32651700dfaf02bb128670ea7.jpg A portrait photo of Abolaji Amosu. Image courtesy of Abolaji Amosu. 78 Nigeria as her homeland / Ethnicity Where did your family come from? Amosu says that her family originally lived in Lagos, Nigeria. Also, she explains that her African ethnicity is Yoruba, one of the main/populous ethnic groups in Nigeria. Finally, she explains how her father is originally from Benin, but speaks Yoruba. Africa ; Age ; Benin ; Ethnicity ; Homeland ; Lagos, Nigeria ; Yoruba Families. ; Lagos (Nigeria) 6.547324, 3.300445 13 The city of Lagos, Nigeria, home city of Amosu's family. http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/cc759bff8ec8c9582dff92d332ccb1b1.jpg Ulf Ryttgens, c. 2000-2006, An image of Lagos, Nigeria's &quot ; Golden Plaza&quot ; in Ikoyi, Lagos.  Licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 1.0 Generic license. 180 Why her family left Nigeria Why did your family come over? Amosu recalls how, at age six, her uncle registered for the Diversity Visa Lottery, which stipulates that annually a certain number of applicants will win a United States Permanent Resident Card. Her family won the lottery, which allowed foreign residents to immigrate to America. She also explains that the trip to America wasn't planned due to challenges in her homeland, but instead an opportunity for immigration to a new country. Her family was wealthy, what she describes as “higher middle class,” and her father wanted the family to embark on a new adventure in life, while Amosu believed the family was on vacation. Diversity Immigration Visa ; Family ; Immigration ; Permanent residents Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/0519665fc6544b0c67e68f5c73ce5268.jpg Amosu's uncle, his family, and her mother during her uncle's wedding day in 2014 in Lagos, Nigeria dressed in Yoruban wedding garb. From left to right: uncle's stepmother, a relative of Amosu, her uncle, and mother. Image courtesy of Abolaji Amosu. 257 Childhood in Nigeria / Graduation party Could you recall any part of your childhood in Nigeria? Amosu remembers her 3rd grade graduation party on a yacht when she was around age 5. Despite the occasion, Amosu refused to listen to her mother's warnings and fell into the water, spending the rest of the night sitting down as punishment. Celebrations ; Childhood ; Private education Families. ; Lagos (Nigeria) 17 329 Naming ceremony and getting lost as a child So, do you remember any other social gatherings or-- Amosu recounts her brother's naming ceremony in Nigeria which celebrated his birth. She explains that it's a part of her culture's tradition to choose names for their meaning rather than for how the name sounds. She explains that her name means &quot ; Woke up with wealth.&quot ; She shares the meanings of the names of her sisters as well. She also remembers the ceremony involved a huge celebration in the form of a block party. During the party, Amosu followed her older cousin until she lost her way, later found by her neighbor, and was sent to her room. Celebrations ; Naming ceremony ; Nigerian culture ; Nigerian traditions ; Rituals Childhood ; Families. ; Lagos (Nigeria) 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/eb17ae25b44d4c807dfc98d0442bc0e4.jpg Afolabi Amosu during his second birthday. Image courtesy of Abolaji Amosu. 523 Family size / Characteristics So how big is your family? Amosu recalls that three of her siblings were born in Nigeria, and her youngest sister was born in America. She also describes in detail what each member of her family looks like, saying that she and her siblings are variations of their parents ; she resembles her father due to their shared &quot ; mahogany&quot ; skin tone. Familial relations ; Family size ; Skin tones Childhood ; Families. ; Lagos (Nigeria) 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/4154d986c84a1ee7cfa18262d8d34259.jpg Image of Amosu's youngest sister, Tumise Amosu, during her 1st birthday. Image courtesy of Abolaji Amosu. 638 Food traditions Would you happen to have a food tradition? Amosu describes in detail the food tradition and culture of the Yoruba ethnic group in Nigeria, including eba, afang soup, and various grains. She describes eba as a paste made from the cassava root. She recalls her family's version of jollof rice, in which the rice cooks in a seasoned tomato soup until done. She comments that the longer the jollof rice cooks in the soup, the better the meal will be. Afang soup ; Cassava ; Cultures ; Eba ; Food traditions ; Fried rice ; Jollof rice ; Regional food competitions ; Spinach ; Yuroba Childhood ; Families. ; Food habits ; Lagos (Nigeria) 17 http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/84a2d6504e047252d7108a1e7a2b830d.jpg Segun Famisa, Jollof rice is a popular way of making rice in West Africa, this (as seen in this picture) is garnished with vegetable sauce, and a boiled egg. Licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 1.0 Generic license. 862 Eating together / Cultural hybrid cuisine Uh, how does, uh, how does the average kitchen table go in your family? Amosu notes that when she and her siblings were younger, it was easier to come together to have family meals. Now, due to everyone having their own schedules, it's much harder to sit down and eat together. She also describes that her mother decides what will be on the dinner table, determinant on how she feels or craves. Amosu notes that her food preferences for Yoruba or American cuisine vary from day to day. Her youngest sister only grew up in the United States, so they acquiesce to some of her “American” food preferences, like adding hot dogs to fried rice because she does not like beef. Amosu describes how she thinks taste for food changes as her family combines American and Nigerian cuisines. Cooking ; Family ; Family meals ; Food Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Food habits ; Immigrants ; Lagos (Nigeria) 17 1130 Nigerian music and influences What sort of music do you like? Amosu recalls that her musical preferences in Yoruba music came from her mother during her childhood, although she also listens to contemporary Yoruba music. Contemporary Yoruba music resembles R&amp ; B, while older songs use drums and flutes, allowing the listener to focus more on the story in the lyrics. Amosu utilizes this music in order to write stories of her own as a means to draw inspiration or meaning to her words. &quot ; Ife Eji Owuro&quot ; ; Cultures ; Musical traditions ; Nigerian music ; Songs ; Yuroba music Childhood ; Families. ; Lagos (Nigeria) 17 1326 Americanization through music I think when we first came here, listening to a lot of like Disney Channel music and all--Nickelodeon music, I think a lot of this help me feel more quote unquote American than like being in school did. Amosu recalls that when her family arrived in America, the music of TV channels like Disney and Nickelodeon allowed for her to feel American. When her school didn't provide the satisfactory assimilation of her culture, music allowed her to adjust to American culture and her fellow classmates. So music served a crucial function in her growing up in America. Americanization ; Immigration ; Music Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 17 1371 Transition from Nigerian to American school When did you start school? Amosu remembers that everyone starts school around age one or two in Nigeria in order to socialize children. Because of this early start she was ready for third grade upon immigration, but she was seven years old, much younger than third graders in the United States, so the school wanted to put her in first grade. Her father had to convince the school that African schooling was not inferior to American, and demanded that his children take a test to pass into the correct grade. Amosu recalls being bored and falling asleep because she had to repeat things that she had already learned. The school made Amosu repeat the third grade again. African stereotyping ; American education ; Childhood ; Education ; Nigerian education ; Stereotypes Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Lagos (Nigeria) 17 1679 First day in America and the perception of the United States Going back to your arrival to the United States, uh, could you recall your first day? Amosu recalls her first day in America when she was six years old. She thought the trip to America was a vacation, especially when the plane landed in Philadelphia Airport. She saw snow on the first day—knowing what it was from Disney films—but did not know how cold it would be. Her family's friend allowed them to stay at his home while they searched for an apartment of their own. Amosu knew what America was based on the movies she watched, but she never thought of the nation. First day ; Immigration journey ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Social networks Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants 39.874594, -75.242638 17 Philadelphia International Airport 1916 Leaving things in Nigeria / First meal in America Uh, were there any conundrums besides the, uh, difficulty with, uh, housing? Amosu recalls being disappointed that her family wasn’t able to bring their dog along. Her first meal was the familiar Yoruba food composed of jollof rice, soup, and eba. First meals ; Immigration journey ; Leaving Nigeria ; Yoruba Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Lagos (Nigeria) ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 2022 Parents finding work So, after your parents settled, um, how did they find work? Amosu remembers that although her father was highly educated, he had to repeat some education to become a child psychologist. Similarly, Amosu's mother, previously a Nigerian nurse, had to work as a hotel housekeeper and as an attendant in a nursing home because she did not have a college education. She now is in school and works as a nurse. Amosu believes that her parents finding work depended on their connections with the neighborhood or places that employ their skill sets. Having connections helped her parents find work. Adult immigrant education ; Employment ; Job hunting ; Social connections Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Occupations ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 2141 First house Uh, so where did you settle? Amosu recounts her family's first home in Philadelphia being an apartment on Champlost Ave., four blocks from Fern Rock Train Station in North Philadelphia. Her home was a two bedroom apartment with a combined living room and apartment. She notes that her mother used plenty of Febreze air freshener in conjunction with plug-in wall air fresheners. Champlost Ave ; Febreze ; Fern Rock Train Station Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 40.044462, -75.143781 17 Champlost Avenue http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/ef8ab84b6eba65e323e442109a0838a0.JPG li2nmd, Septa Broad Street Line at Fern Rock Train Station in February 2018. Licensed under a GNU Free Documentation version 1.2 or later version license. 2278 Exploring and connecting to Philadelphia How did your family explore Philadelphia? Amosu notes that her family went on expeditions across the Philadelphia area to explore their new home. In order to adjust to life in Philadelphia, the family went to places including Dorney Park or Center City to become familiar with their new city. The family asked around for recommendations from friends in their social circle to learn what places they wanted to go to and developed their own preferences. Center City (Philadelphia, Pa.) ; Dorney Park ; Exploring ; Old Country Buffet Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 40.580470, -75.534696 17 Dorney Park Amusement Park 2429 Making friends and friend preferences How did your family establish connections within the--I want to say apartment complex because, you know-- Amosu recalls her siblings and she finding the family's connections and social circle figures through their interaction with other children. Her apartment complex served as a miniature neighborhood and the children formed friendships and then introduced the parents to each other. Amosu notes that some of her neighbors were immigrants, including a couple “Spanish” families (Puerto Rican) and connected through kindness and their children going to the same school and apartment. Her family preferred other Nigerian immigrants as friends because they shared a worldview. She remembers that she preferred to listen to other people with accents, since she also had an accent. Apartments ; Connections ; Friendships ; Julia Ward Howe School (Philadelphia, Pa.) ; Neighborhoods ; Social networks ; Socializing Childhood ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 2602 Losing her accent and fitting in during elementary school How did you lose your accents? Amosu explains that, over her time spent in America, she lost her formal British accent in order to adjust to her peers' own dialect. Although her British-like Nigerian accent was formal, her peers didn't understand her. Thus, around the fourth grade, Amosu tried to remove her accent to form friendships at school. Amosu recalls attending Julia Ward Howe School from third to fifth grade, which is close to the Fern Rock Septa Station. Although Amosu was frustrated that she had to repeat the third grade, she acknowledges it allowed her to better socialize and make friends. She recalls a friend by the name of Daniella or Danisha with whom she bonded over BRATZ dolls. Accents ; Biro pens ; British accents ; Dialects ; English language ; Julia Ward Howe School (Philadelphia) ; Peer pressure ; Socialization ; Socializing Childhood ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 40.041707, -75.142319 17 Julia Ward Howe School on 5800 N. 13th Street, where Amosu attended elementary school. http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/b2ddd43551a30939081b7b23cb0aac42.JPG Smallbones, the Front of Julia Ward Howe Building, 2010. Image holder released the copyright to the public domain. 3099 Opinions on school subjects You said that your family expected high grades, correct? Amosu recounts that she had issues in learning mathematics while in school. However, her parents encouraged her to keep studying the subject in order to overcome it, thus pushing her engrossment into the subject. Despite this, Amosu easily excelled and enjoyed subjects such as English and History as she loved the stories found in literature and history's continuation of its own story. She contributes her competitive nature in school to proving others wrong about her ethnicity, showing that she was an intelligent, capable individual who could achieve high academically. Education ; Interests ; Subjects Childhood ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 3614 Transition to middle school So, how was the tradi--transition to high school? Oh, from middle school to high school. Amosu remembers that after she graduated from elementary school, her family moved to the Northeast portion of Philadelphia. She attended Woodrow Wilson Middle School, where she found herself as the new kid in class. Being new, Amosu faced difficulties in making new friends, but devoted her attention to her studies. Amosu recalls that in middle school she didn't participate in many extracurricular activities. She found a literature club and new friends through her love for stories, but that was it. &quot ; New kid&quot ; ; Education ; Middle schools ; Socializing ; Solomon Solis-Cohen Elementary School (Philadelphia, Pa.) ; Transitions ; Woodrow Wilson Middle School (Philadelphia, Pa.) Childhood ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 40.052435, -75.069047 17 Location of Woodrow Wilson Middle School http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/a79170f06052b5f5c105323c884a2bfe.png Woodrow Wilson Junior High School, Cottman Avenue 1800 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, now known as Woodrow Wilson Middle School. Image holder released the copyright to the public domain. 3820 Trying to suppress her African identity Did your identity ever come into-- Amosu comments on how she dealt with her identity as an Nigerian immigrant during school. She remembers wanting a nickname, trying to curse, dressing, and using slang like an American in order to fit in better, yet she maintained an African identity at home with her family. Amosu remembers that she tried to suppress her African identity to distance herself from a stereotypes, like that Africans lived in huts and did not wear clothes. She also did not want to be the token “African” to her classmates. She chose clothing, make-up, and hair styles that made her seem more American, and she and her sister coached each other on how to act. By high school, she finally embraced her identity and accepted the fact that she would never be a full American. African culture ; African history ; American dress ; Americanization ; Coaching ; Cultural identity ; Cultures ; Education ; Identity ; Make-up ; Nicknames ; South Park Childhood ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 4336 Transition to high school How was the transition to high school then? Amosu recounts her transition to Northeast High School was one where she retained her friend/peer group, but realized how hard it was to be a freshman after ruling the middle school in eighth grade. She looked up to the older students, especially the seniors because she thought of them as close to adults. However, despite entering the high school together, Amosu's friends changed, finding different friend groups due to differing schedules. She also had to train new friends and teachers to correctly pronounce her name, which was almost always the first alphabetically on the role list. Education ; High schools ; Northeast High School (Philadelphia, Pa.) ; Woodrow Wilson Middle School (Philadelphia, Pa.) Childhood ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 40.056847, -75.069118 17 Northeast Regional High School http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/ead732a6a53e8841001b0a4221160ce8.jpg Northeast High School, 2019. Image courtesy of Dr. Charles Hardy. 4647 Technology in education / Education programs available to students Uh, another thing about me is that, uh, I grew up in Delco and I go to--went to Ridley Township or Ridley High School and, uh, thankfully, uh, Boeing pretty much donated a bunch of iPads-- Amosu remembers that her school utilized technology in their curriculum, but they didn't trust or allow freshmen to carry or use their laptops. Also, she recalls that there were three tracked programs in Northeast High School based on their academic excellence: Magnet, International Baccalaureate, and Avid. She had not applied for the Magnet program, because she did not know to do so, even though she excelled at school. Amosu notes how technology in education allowed her to access new information and involved her classes using games like Kahoot. Computers ; Curriculum ; Education ; High schools ; Northeast Avid program ; Northeast International Baccalaureate program ; Northeast Magnet Program ; Technology Childhood ; Education ; Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 5167 Selecting a college / Attending Temple University Uh, throughout high school, did you, uh, look at colleges? Amosu recalls that, during her junior and senior years, she began to investigate in-state colleges including Holy Family University, University of Pennsylvania, and Temple University. Due to the closeness of the campus to her home and its well regarded English department, Amosu chose Temple, where she entered as &quot ; undecided.&quot ; This allowed her to explore different subject paths, and she ended up selecting an English major. Amosu notes being empowered by college by allowing her to schedule her own classes based on what she wanted to pursue. In her time at Temple University, she found two notable professors which bolstered her desire to learn: Dr. Tristen Samuels and Clarissa Howards. College life ; College of Liberal Arts, Temple University ; Colleges ; Family ; Finances ; Holy Family University ; Penn State University College choice ; College environment ; College students--Social conditions ; Education ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Universities and colleges. 39.981122, -75.155432 17 Temple University of Pennsylvania http://phillyimmigration.nunncenter.net/files/original/30cec6769ab2277df8bc0895f46a4b00.JPG Dorevabelfiore, Front of Samuel Paley Library on the main campus of Temple University Libraries in Philadelphia, PA. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. 5487 Expectation to attend college / Finances So what drew you to attend college, specifically? Amosu recounts that, due to her family's history with being highly educated, it was a familial expectation to go to college. Along with societal expectations for her to attend college, her education enforced this throughout her years in school, making it seem like college was the only option. She reflects on how tuition costs affected her choice to go to Temple University. She mentions the opportunities such as study-abroad programs offered at Temple compared to more expensive universities. Colleges ; Drexel University ; Holy Family University ; Social expectations ; STEM ; Temple University ; Tuition College choice ; College environment ; College students--Social conditions ; Education ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Universities and colleges. 17 5760 Jobs Did you have a job during high school? Amosu never had to get a job during high school. Instead, she got money from her parents through request or allowance. However, she found a work-study job through the Free Library of Philadelphia partnership with Temple University at the Northeast Regional Library. She loves working with books. First job ; Free Library of Philadelphia ; Jobs ; Northeast Regional Library ; Work study College environment ; College students--Social conditions ; Education ; Employment ; Families. ; Immigrants ; Occupations ; Philadelphia (Pa.) ; Universities and colleges. 17 5884 Oral history project / Advice for other immigrants So how did you come across the, uh, oral history pr--uh, project? Amosu remembers that her supervisor at Northeast Regional Library introduced her to this oral history project after looking for immigrant patrons to tell their life stories. At first, she was reluctant to participate because she doubted her childhood memories were worth recording. Despite this, Amosu chose to participate in the project. Amosu concludes that recent immigrants shouldn't abandon or neglect their homeland's culture or language, because the language is an advantage and enables college students not to study a second language if they choose not to. Americanization ; Child's perspective ; Foreign languages ; Immigration ; Northeast Regional Library ; Oral history Emigration and immigration. ; Immigrants ; Philadelphia (Pa.) 17 interview Abolaji Amosu, born in Lagos, Nigeria in 2000, came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at age 6 in 2006. In this interview, Amosu discusses her childhood in Nigeria, her family’s immigration into the U.S., and life growing up in the U.S. In addition to this, she mentions how her homeland’s culture affected her life, media and educational preferences, and social relationships. Finally, she shares her opinion on the interview, explains how she found the oral history project, and provides advice for fellow immigrants coming to the U.S. No transcript. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries. audio Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. 0 https://nunncenter.net/ohms-spokedb/render.php?cachefile=2019oh0151_irw0082_amosu_ohm.xml 2019oh0151_irw0082_amosu_ohm.xml https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7m901zgq96 Indexed By Nicholas Heydeman Sort Priority 0004 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Interview: Abolaji Amosu Description An account of the resource Abolaji Amosu, born in Lagos, Nigeria in 2000, came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at age 6 in 2006. In this interview, Amosu discusses her childhood in Nigeria, her family’s immigration into the U.S., and life growing up in the U.S. In addition to this, she mentions how her homeland’s culture affected her life, media and educational preferences, and social relationships. Finally, she shares her opinion on the interview, explains how she found the oral history project, and provides advice for fellow immigrants coming to the U.S. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2019oh0151_irw0082 Subject The topic of the resource Philadelphia (Pa.) Families. Immigrants Education College students--Social conditions Universities and colleges. Emigration and immigration. Lagos (Nigeria) Childhood Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available WCU, HIS 399/HON 451 Oral History of Philadelphia Immigration, Spring 2019 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 16, 2019 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries Relation A related resource <a href="/exhibits/show/abolaji-amosu/fully-american" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Explore an exhibit on Abolaji's life</a>