Leaving Home: Im/migrant Interviews

In this episode hosts Carmen, and Jesus interview their best friend's mom, Cristina and her journey from the Philippines to the United States. 

Cristina touches on the life she had back then was joyful, she adored her father most of all. She went to college there, but ultimately dropped out of medical school when she got married to a military man. She jumped back and forth between Japan and the U.S, she details that she didn’t go back to the Philippines after her father passed away 22 years after. Cristina believes her life is good here in the U.S regardless of the struggle to become an actual citizen. 

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 Kayla interviews Karat and Penny, recent immigrants from Laos.

Penny and Karat recite their journey to North America, which included financial and familial hardships that motivated them to leave their home country. They describe the challenges faced in refugee camps, and social changes in their new life. As they look back, they are thankful for coming to the U.S. and for the opportunities given.

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 Jeanne and Johann interview Rowena, an immigrant from the Philippines.

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.]

The conversation explores the immigration experience of Luis Flechas, who immigrated from Colombia to the United States. Through an interview with his grandson, Julian Flechas, Luis shares his experiences, challenges, and memories of leaving his home country to build a new life. The conversation reflects on the courage, sacrifices, and opportunities that come with starting over in a new country.

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

In this episode, host Newten interviews Adrian, an immigrant from Australia.

Adrian explains his journey to the U.S., talking about his experience of wanting to immigrate for more opportunities for baseball. He describes how he went about getting his visa, permanent residency and eventually citizenship. He also shares his experience with maintaining relationships from home and making new friends in the United States. 

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.]

I will be interviewing Pedro, a 43-year-old man who immigrated here from Mexico in his early 20s. I will be asking him a series of questions regarding this topic. By asking him about his perspective, origin, and feelings, we are bringing light to the various stories that are similar and raising awareness. 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, hosts Ayleen and Eshie interview Michelle, an immigrant from Taiwan. 

Michelle recounts her journey from Taiwan to Australia and then ultimately the U.S., detailing the political disputes between Taiwan and China that urged her parents to move not only for that but for the sake of a better future for their children. She describes her fortunately easy experience with no challenges but the typical teenage rebellious phase one may encounter. Michelle also shares moments of success from getting her associates degree to taking on a new journey moving to the United States to having a lovely 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, host Cristina interviews Veronica, her mother, a naturalized citizen from Mexico.

Veronica describes her life before immigrating to the US, pointing out the many differences between her hometown and the place she moved to when coming here. She explains the tragic forces that pushed her family to ultimately make the decision to move to the US permanently and the way their economic status in Mexico allowed them to obtain a Visa and travel legally into the US. Additionally she discusses how the move changed her family dynamic as a whole, and how being the more outspoken sister led her to take on a leadership role within her family in this unknown terrain. A conflict arises when she speaks of both her shock and excitement to see people from all around the world taking English classes alongside her, while at the same time feeling shame and embarrassment due to the fact that she was from somewhere else.

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, Evangeleen Lopez and Emily Kowalski interview Josefine, an immigrant from Denmark.

Josefine recounts her journey to the United States at a young age, detailing her families decision to move because of work. She talks about the difficulties of obtaining a U.S citizenship especially during Covid, the transition from Danish to American culture, and the growth she has experienced from living in the United States. Josefine also shares her future endeavors and all she has accomplished since her families move to 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 August interviews Trudel, his mother who immigrated from the Philippines. 

Trudel recounts her journey to the U.S., from her elementary school in the Philippines to her transition into the American school system. She describes her initial hardship with leaving home and dealing with stereotyping, but eventually adjusting to newer environments. Trudel also details her growth, new connections, and finding another meaning of home.

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.]