Both of my parents come from the same city in Poland, so I assumed their experiences would be fairly similar based on the little information I had. Although, for this interview, I decided to sit down with my mother and hear her side of her experience, since we had never once discussed it throughout my life. Ania, my mother, was ... Read More »
I am from teavana in my favorite jarrito’s mug but that’s not how my original story started. I was a 4 year old leaving Mexico and migrating to Chicago, IL knowing I had family waiting for me and my family was ready to start a “new life” as everyone calls it. My story starts in a small Mexican town ... Read More »
My grandmother, Fruma Dushnitzer, did not intend to become a US immigrant when she came to visit in July of 1939. She and her 3 year old daughter Fagie, came on a ship, “The New Amsterdam”, to visit her parents in Chicago, as they had never met their granddaughter. They had emigrated from Lithuania to Chicago in the late 1920’s. ... Read More »
“My life was better.” My mother described her former life in the Philippines, reminiscing in all of the old memories she had of her childhood and young adulthood. My mother was born in 1980 and grew up in the crowded and vibrant city of Cavite in the Philippines. In this city, she lived a standard yet fun and easy-going life ... Read More »
Margaret Petros’ family is Assyrian Christian and they noted ominous changes soon after Saddam Hussein took power in Iraq. At school Margaret had been in a class on Christianity while her Muslim classmates attended a class on Islam, but suddenly the class in Christianity was cancelled and she was given a Koran to study. Neighbors were fleeing in the night ... Read More »
One day, a strange woman showed up at the door, saying that Sarah was alive, but she and her family were starving in Kiev. My Great grandfather lost it all when the Communists took over. Joseph was born around 1899 in a village outside the city of Kiev in Russia. He had four brothers and sisters. His parents were upper-middle ... Read More »
Chicago. \Photo by Francisco Antunes Coming from Argentina to Chicago, there was a big weather change but nothing my parents couldn’t handle. They migrated to Chicago to start their own family. There was not really a plan. My mom and dad were only in their early 20’s. It was in the 1950’s, so segregation was still going around. When ... Read More »
My father Juan Garcia (name changed) born in Chilpancingo Guerrerro, Mexico who I owe my life to and who inspired me to write his story. He was the third oldest of five children. He left Chilpancingo for better opportunities in the U.S. with my mom. He crossed the border illegally and made himself a home in Chicago, where he would ... Read More »
There are many unique immigration stories, but none are exactly like my dad’s story. It consists of many hardships and much patience. Although there were a lot of responsibilities and much loneliness, I must say that my dad conquered them all. My father was from Southern Vietnam and lived quite a normal life with his family. That is until, suddenly, ... Read More »
Being born during the controversial Vietnam War is not something that would have been pleasant. Immigrant Linda Le was one of those who was born during a time of great dispute in her country. Caught amidst the conflicts involving her country, Linda, along with her mom, resolved to leave their country. She had endured much during her trip from her ... Read More »