Leaving Home: Im/migrant Interviews

In this episode, host Isa interviews their grandmother Betty, an immigrant from Mexico.

Betty recounts her journey to the U.S., answering questions about her experiences. She describes the challenges of coming to the U.S with nothing and working her way to something and the resilience she developed while building a new life. She also shares insight of the importance of family, and to take advantage of the opportunities we have.

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 Domi Dvorcak interviews Lubos Dvorcak, an immigrant from the Czech Republic. 

My father, Lubos, shares the story of how he began a new life in the United States. He reflects on his upbringing and the unforgettable experiences he faced before moving to a new country. Despite the challenges he overcame, my father managed to enter the U.S. legally and start a family laying the foundation for new opportunities and a brighter future for the next generation.

In this episode, the host Jayden interviews Mary, a woman who migrated to Berlin from Georgia. The conversation between the two people explores the migration struggles like living conditions, culture change, money struggles, and just the difference it made on her life.

[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 Josiah interviews Mario, an immigrant from the Philippines.

The conversation dives into topics like American identity, life in the Philippines, and the US military's effects on immigration. As Mario accounts his life experiences, we get a better idea of life outside the states and the challenges faced. While also looking at our own challenges we face in the US.

Mario accounts his way of life in the Philippines and the US and the immigration process through the US military.

[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 Peyton interviews Mariana, a immigrant from Mexico

Mariana narrates her journey to the United States from Tijuana, Mexico. Her family was extremely poor and barely had enough money to survive. Once she was a young adult, her father pushed her to move to the U.S. for better economic opportunities. She describes all the challenges and milestones she faced, including learning English, finding jobs, and building her family in the U.S.

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 Kassandra Interviews Beatriz, her mom who immigrated here from Mexico.

Beatriz shares her journey to the U.S., including leaving her family and small-town home at 14 to pursue an education and crossing the border at 19 for what was meant to be a short visit, but turned into a permanent stay. She recalls her childhood in Mexico, her parents’ first Thanksgiving in America, and the difficult time when she was deported and separated from her firstborn for several months. Beatriz reflects on the hardships she faced, and the lessons learned along the way.

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, Celeste interviews Nick, who shares his experience of immigrating from Illinois to California as a young child.

Nick discusses the excitement and opportunities that came with moving, including the process of adjusting to a new environment and discovering all that California has to offer. He reflects on how the change has positively impacted his life, particularly in helping him meet the friends he has today, and how those new connections have enriched his social life.

The conversation highlighted the growth, opportunities, and fulfilling relationships that come with starting fresh in a new place.

In this episode, host Nguyen interviews Anna, an experience of immigrants from Mexico. 

Anna tells her journey living in America and the hardship she and her family went through. She describes the challenges of having a language barrier and finding a place to live. Anna also shared a proud moment of her achievements and her hopes for the future in America.

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 Ryan interviews Charmaine, who talks about her immigration from China to America.

Charmaine recalls her journey to the U.S, showing the initial struggles she had while at the U.S, how she overcame these struggles, and eventually how she adapted and thrived in America. She compares the U.S. to China, and gives us very detailed descriptions about what the U.S. does better than China, and what she thinks the U.S. can improve on. 

In this episode, host PJ interviews Brian, an immigrant from Tijuana. Brian recalls his journey to the US, detailing the hardships of the dangers in his neighborhood, the challenges of the immigration system, and the discrimination he faced in the US. He also highlights moments of support he found in the Hispanic community in the US, and much more.