Leaving Home: Im/migrant Interviews

In this episode, hosts Diana and Ryah interview Thanh, an immigrant from Vietnam. 

Thanh talks about the thoughts and experiences he encountered of being a boat person fleeing Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He talks about dealing with a new environment and reflects on the factors that caused him to leave his home. Thanh also shares the moments in the United States that made it all worth it, highlighting the opportunities and community he gained. 

[This podcast is a project by 12th-grade students in Mr. Smith’s English class at Mission Vista High School in Vista Unified School District.]

In this episode, Sophie interviews William, a child from a military family with an interesting immigration experience.

William talks about what it was like growing up while migrating constantly between the US and Japan. He recounts his story, talking about the challenges he has faced with his most recent migration and having to start over in the middle of his teenage years. William also shares some positive moments from his time in Japan and explains the opportunities it has created for himself and his family.

The conversation explores the complexities of the immigrant experience, reflecting on the bravery, struggles, and triumphs of those who leave home and immigrate to start anew.

[This podcast is a project by 12th-grade students in Mr. Smith’s English class at Mission Vista High School in Vista Unified School District.]

In this episode, we interview an anonymous immigrant from Mexico about their experiences moving to the United States.

Rowena recaps the life she had growing up in the Philippines then goes into the process of moving with her husband and 5 children to the US. Growing up she faced some financial difficulties living in the Philippines, so she hopes that coming to the US it’ll be easier with the help of government aid. Rowena now lives a more financially stable life with her husband and 3 youngest children with 3 other very successful children pursuing their own lives. She continues to live a humble life, Rowena and her husband hope to retire soon in the Philippines.

The conversation explores the complexities of the immigrant experience, reflecting on the bravery, struggles, and triumphs of those who leave home and immigrate to start anew.

[This podcast is a project by 12th-grade students in Mr. Smith’s English class at Mission Vista High School in Vista Unified School District.]

In this episode, host Azzy interviews Allen, a half-japanese, half-african-american whose mother is an immigrant from Japan.

Allen has lots of experience living in both Japan and America, and can testify to the differences of each and what it was like to grow up in both worlds. He details his mother’s journey, as well as detailing what it’s like to not always fit in. Listen in for a wise tale from a true alpha.

The conversation explores the complexities of the immigrant experience, reflecting on the bravery, struggles, and triumphs of those who leave home and immigrate to start anew.

[This podcast is a project by 12th-grade students in Mr. Smith’s English class at Mission Vista High School in Vista Unified School District.]

In this episode, host Mileena interviews her aunt who spent part of her childhood living in Mexico. 

In Mexico Maria lived her time with her family who she loved deeply, leaving them was very hard for her. Now that she is older and those family members have now passed she makes it a priority to pass down her heritage to her children. Knowing the struggle of leaving your family behind she gives lots of credit to immigrants, a big help in her opinion on the current immigration policies and prejudice in place.  

The conversation explores the complexities of the immigrant experience, reflecting on the bravery, struggles, and triumphs of those who leave home and immigrate to start anew.

[This podcast is a project by 12th-grade students in Mr. Smith’s English class at Mission Vista High School in Vista Unified School District.]

In this Episode, the host Fernando Hernandez talks to Juan Hernandez and his immigrant experience and how it impacted his life. He talks about his struggles that he went through and reflects on how people view immigrants. Also, he talks about how hard it was to leave family and start a new life.

In this episode, hosts Caleb, and Gabby interview an immigrant from Portugal.

Summary: Joáo is an immigrant who was born in Madeira, Portugal he then lived in the UK and South Africa where he lived for 12 years and then finally came to the United States. He expressed that the language barrier was a hard obstacle and leaving the family. He says it had a very promising outcome with a wonderful family and has his own business.

The conversation explores the complexities of the immigrant experience, reflecting on the bravery, struggles, and triumphs of those who leave home and immigrate to start anew.

[This podcast is a project by 12th-grade students in Mr. Smith’s English class at Mission Vista High School in Vista Unified School District.]

This episode follows my grandmother, Sandra Griffin, a 70 year old migrant, from memphis tennessee. The episode follows the challenges she faces, moving away from her childhood home, following the marriage of my grandfather. They moved from tennessee to san clemente california. The podcast follows ow my grandmother rebuilt her life, and starts her career in a completely new place. Near the end, my grandmother talks about how she raised her family, and how she finally felt at home in southern California. The conversation explores the complexities of the immigrant experience, reflecting on the bravery, struggles, and triumphs of those who leave home and immigrate to start anew.This podcast is a project by 12th-grade students in Mr. Smith’s English class at Mission Vista High School in Vista Unified School District.