My interview with Wendy was also a phone interview. She is a friend of my family and her and my father have known each other for many, many years. Wendy is currently a kindergarten teacher in Georgia and she lives a typical middle class lifestyle. She came to America at a young age but then returned for high school and came back again for college.
My questions are bolded and Wendy's responses are in plain text. |
How old were you when you came to the states?
I actually was about 11 years old but I went back to Trinidad and came back after high school. At like 16. Okay so did you come here for college? Eventually when I came up the second time it was for project. And my parents told me I had to come, to be honest with you. When you were in Trinidad what was your perception of the US? I really liked Trinidad. And since I had been up before I already knew what it was like in New York. There wasn't too much going on. When I first came it was just after that war. The war that nobody wanted or whatever? So there were a lot of veterans returning and I lived in Harlem. I saw a lot of people on drugs and stuff. So it wasn't really a place I wanted to be. But when I came back the second time it was way better! I really didn't do much. Just stayed in the house and watched TV... whatever my parents did. I liked how honest she was here. Because most people believe that people from poorer countries are supposed to be so much happier in the US, however that is not the case for everyone. And how was school? In Trinidad how was the school system? Was it a lot more disciplined and strict? In trinidad? Yeah! Oh yeah. They didn't have much of a higher education because there was only one university but it was much more disciplined and structured than here. You went to college here? Oh yes. In New York. Pace University. |
Did you think since you went to school in Trinidad, and it was much more disciplined, that you had an advantage over the other students?
No not really. I think it was pretty equal. When it comes to college level it was pretty equal. Do you think that what you envisioned for yourself is what you became? As an adult? Not really. I think I should be further along. I think I'm just kind of backed up right now. No. I wish I had gone further. Gone further with school? Yes, yes, definitely. When she answered this, I tried to feel very empathetic towards her. I wondered what it is like to feel like you did not reach your life's goals that you set for yourself. Do you think that in Trinidad your educational level has a lot to do with how successful people think you are? Yes, of course. I think thats with anywhere you know? But most certainly in Trinidad. Did you keep the values with education with your children too? Yes, most certainly. Okay! That's it. That's it? Wow that was painless! |