Leaving Home: Im/migrant Interviews

Kyle speaks on the immigration process all the way from Vietnam, talking about the hardships of acclimating and adjusting to Southern California. He explains the challenges that he faced and how the culture will always be deeply embedded in his roots no matter where he goes. Kyle Also shares the bright side of family and friends and how they show him support.

In this episode, host Noah interviews his mom, Gina.

Gina recalls her decision to move to London straight out of high school, in order to get away from her life in California. Soon after, she moved to Boston, MA, where she stayed for 26 years. She then moved back to California, after the birth of Noah. She talks about obstacles she overcame, and facing the fear of a new life. 

The conversation explores the complexities of the migrant 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 Avery interviews Leanne, a semi-recent migrant from Canada. 

Leanne reminisces about her time in Canada, as well as what it is like to grow up there. She goes deep into detail about the culture and certain main aspects of America that are very much different from the states. 

The conversation dives into religion, weather, community, and many more. It gives us a brief feeling of the wonderful country that is Canada. 

She overcomes the obstacle of moving halfway through her life, as well as adapting to America’s way of life and customs.

[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 Avery interviews Hayden, a moderately recent immigrant from Italy. 

Hayden recaps his journey in Italy, as well as what it was like to migrate to the states and what that meant personally for him. He speaks about the unique and wonderful of the friendly culture in Italy. As well as what moving athletically did for him. He goes into detail about the sports he grew up playing including the places he would go in Italy. But transitioning to the states he says, “There were a lot of changes in my life that were so unexpected”. Hayden talks about growing up playing soccer, to now looking to go pro in hockey, which is a skill he developed once he got to the U.S. He portrays the kindness of others in Italy and the family culture, and gathers the stories he now has from his journey in the U.S. 

The conversation explores the cultural differences in countries, as well as the migration of experiences in their pre adult life. He reminisces about the beauty of Italy, but greatly appreciates the opportunity he’s gotten from being in the U.S. 

Hayden comes to the states for the reason his family was looking to move, but he later comes to realize the new sports, hobbies, and relationships he's made he will grow to greatly appreciate. While he still has a love for Italy, and plans on going back, he cherishes his time in the U.S and knows he will definitely be coming back to visit.

[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 Avery Musnicki interviews Ryker, who migrated to California from the rural south at a very young age. 

Ryker reflects on this time in the South, and how the drastic change is the weather and the interactions with the community. Because of the not so fitting environment for their family they decided to move to California to look for better job opportunities as well as experiences for their young growing family. Ryker shares what it’s like moving from state to state and being able to experience the rest of the years for now in a very pleasant, weathered and friendly environment. 

This conversation explores more of the concept of growing up somewhere different than where you are now developing who you are as a person. He reflects on the family experiences he goes through as well as his life now.
While Ryker was not heavily opinionated on growing up in the South, he now reflects that he is glad he moved and has the opportunity to experience all the unique and wonderful things about California. He enjoys the relationships and life he has built now.

[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, Kirill Kapunin (American-born citizen) interviews his mom, Zoya Popova, an outstanding and caring Russian immigrant. Together, they explore her stories of the past, hopes of the future, and especially the importance of family and acceptance. 

Zoya experienced a somewhat grim time after the fall of the USSR, with tension and general unrest surrounding the population. Following her mother’s steps, she found a new life in America – but somewhat struggled with the endless options and various opportunities (or often lack thereof). Eventually she finds stable ground, though there are still several uncertainties in the future to be dealt with. 

Is America much different from her past homeland? Or will it soon turn out to be the same environment she tried to escape?

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 is an Interview with “Maria” a US Citizen who immigrated here.

Marina narrates her journey to the U.S with her one year old daughter, detailing an abused marriage and economic hardship that forced her to leave her home. She describes the challenges of navigating the immigration system, the isolation she felt, and the hardship of being a single mother without any help. Marina shares moments of hope, highlighting the kindness of strangers and the support she found with her new profound husband. 

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.]

EJ details his experiences of moving from the US to the Philippines then back to the US. He describes the struggles and cultural differences between the two extremely different countries. From why they decided to move to the US to the trials that come with being in a new place, EJ shares his story of his immigration to the US.

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 Brooke interviews Cooper, a migrant from Australia.

Cooper recalls his childhood in Australia and explains how he had to move for his father’s work. He describes the struggles that came with adjusting to moving back to America and being so far away from the friends he had made. Cooper also shares the differences in the culture, the holidays, and the seasons in Australia.

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.]