Oral History Transcript
Summary
This was an interview with my dad about how a language, culture, and the way of living has change from migrating to a different country. This gives us a wide perspective of how it well be a good or bad change in someones life. It also tell us why people migrate to other countries. It gives us a background information about the reactions and expectations of people going into a new country or new place.
- First question, what was a memory from your childhood that you would relive?
- A memory… the moment I am playing with my friends on the soccer field.
- Second Question, Imagine when you were a child someone told you that you were going to travel to another country, what would you have thought at that moment or what would have been your first reaction?
- It would be good to know another country because it would be exciting.
- But wouldn’t you think about the negative of that situation?
- No, because as a child you don’t think about anything negative. You always think of positive things and you would be happy if someone told you if you would like to visit another country. The joy is so great that it even keeps you awake at night.
- Third question, when you arrived in this country, your first impression was your expectations?
- Maybe Yes, because I knew what was coming. I came to make a future for my family.
- Fourth Question, Was it easy to accept and adapt to a new culture?
- The truth is, yes, because I had previous experiences in another country and that helped me a lot to adapt very quickly.
- Let’s elaborate on this question: How did you feel when you first arrived in another country that was yours? Was it very difficult to adapt to a new culture?
- It was very difficult because at first I had no friends, I had no family, the language was different, the way of life was different. It was very difficult, but over time I was able to adapt.
- Fifth Question, What was the reason you moved to this country?
- Well, what I already said was…look for something better for my family, for my children because the situation in my country forced me to do so.
- Sixth Question, Was it easy to adapt to the language? Why yes or why not?
- I think Yes because as I already said I had a previous experience in England and there I learned to speak a little English. Until now I’m still learning, but I have adapted… I think in a good way.
- Seventh Question, If you had an opportunity to return to your country, would you stay or go?
- No, the truth is I wouldn’t stay because my country is going through a very difficult situation with guerrillas and drugs. There is a lot of danger and you can’t live in peace.
- Last Question, How did your lifestyle change from your country to this country?
- Firstly, the comfort… because we learned to adapt in a very small space, the food, the way of life that is led and it has been a very big change. Especially in the food and in security, but in security it has been a very good change because here one can be more secured, while in our country it was very dangerous.
