Leaving Home: Im/migrant Interviews

In this episode, host Rachael interviews her father Pedro, an immigrant from Mexico.

Pedro unfolds his story about his journey to the U.S. and his experiences as an immigrant. In his story, he tells about the hardships he has faced, living in Mexico and immigrating to the U.S. from a young age, and his reason for leaving his home. Pedro shares what he has gained from immigrating to the U.S. and  how much his life has changed by immigrating.

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.]

Valeria was born to an immigrant Mexican family in California, tune in as we explore her journey in assimilating into American Culture and life.

In this episode, Braden interviews Victor, who immigrated 45 years ago from The Philippines. Victor discusses in this episode his journey to seek new opportunities for himself and his family. In the Philippines, even after achieving a collegiate education, job opportunities remain scarce and there is no absence of poverty. Victor and his siblings chose to immigrate from The Philippines, sacrificing security and family relationships in order to build a better life. Victor shares his personal experience of adapting to a new country while embracing Filipino culture. 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.

In this episode, host Emily interviews Jennifer

Jennifer shares her travel story to California, detailing the economic hardship and financial opportunities that encouraged her to leave her home. She describes the challenges of navigating the new societal expectations of being a girl in California and the discrimination in the job field that comes with it. The initial isolation she felt, and the resilience she developed while building a better life with her family. Jennifer also shares moments of her family life memories, highlighting the empowerment of taking a chance and building and the support she found within her local community and how she gave back.

The conversation explores the change in new life chances when moving to another state, leaving family behind, reflecting on the bravery, struggles, and triumphs. 

[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 Zoe interviews Erick, a father who immigrated from Costa Rica to the United States.

Erick tells us his story of his journey of immigrating, the obstacles he faced, and what he has done to get where he is today. He goes over how his life was at home and how much of a change it was when he moved to 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.

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 Cailee interviews Rizen about his immigration from the Philippines to America as a child. 

Rizen tells the story of his transition to America. He talks about how it was harder for him to transition from the Philippines to America as he didn’t speak English and was left at home with his new stepdad who only spoke English. He talks about the hardships of green cards and getting citizenship. He continues to talk about how his unique culture sets him apart from other people and how he brings new experiences and new culture to people. Rizen also shares the hardships of prejudice that he faces as an immigrant that is still not a US 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.]

This conversation with Kathleen Shayan dives into the experience of a young woman who grew up in a small rural town in Iowa, and her experience as she moves to the big City of Los Angeles. This episode explores how she dealt with the big shift and it led to finding and creating a family. She faces problems like fitting in and making friends, but also found peace and happiness when she found the love of 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, I interview Mr. Ligagli who had origins in Nigeria.

In this episode, host Mateo interviews Jamie, an immigrant from Jamaica. 

Jamie recounts his journey to the U.S, detailing the cultural divide and financial instability that forced him to leave his home. He describes the challenges of avoiding the immigration enforcement. Jamie also shares his success, highlighting the kindness of strangers and the support he found within his local community. 

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, I interview my cousin Jose who grew up Oaxaca, Mexico.