Assignment:
Interview an immigrant to this country and write a paper describing and analyzing his or her immigrant experience.
Consider the questions below, but in relation to their experiences. You may want to digitally record this interview. (If you choose this option, please seek the subject's permission to use their name and story for this assignment, or change the name in the paper)
Questions to consider while interviewing and assembling your narrative (broad thinking questions):
What were their motivations for leaving their country and coming to the US?
What was the process of migration like?
Did they migrate internally before emigrating?
What was their experience like once they arrived in the US?
How did they relate to Americans and other immigrants, including their family members?
Did they experience racism or discrimination?
How did they manage the process of assimilation into American culture? Did they stay involved in their immigrant community, or retain the customs, religion, and traditions of their homeland?
How were their experiences similar or different from other immigrant stories we have studied in this course?
If applicable, how has their immigration experience and ethnic identity affected your life?
Do you have any doubts about these stories? Can you find ways in which time has changed or diluted the memories?
For all of the choices above, you should cite material from the course readings and relate it to the story you are telling. Even if the particular nation of origin for your historical subject is not one that we have covered from the class, you should consider the broader themes and topics from this course that relate to their experiences.
Your paper should include:
An introductory paragraph introducing your topic choice and subject
Body paragraphs which explore your subject's story and compare/contrast it to what you have learned in the course
In-text citations and a reference page in APA or Chicago/Turabian style
A conclusion paragraph that reiterates your main themes and offers some concluding thoughts
Proper grammar, spelling and syntax (since this paper may involve your own personal history, using more informal language like "I" and "me" is fine)