Rosa Beltre
Where are you from?
Dominican Republic
What was your childhood like?
Very happy childhood, but one full of challenges. My father had immigrated to the States before I was born and didn’t meet him in person until he was able to go back to DR 4 years later.
What brought you to Cleveland?
New opportunities, received an offer from National City at the time while looking to relocate. I had also met some extraordinary people that were from Cleveland, who offered my children and I more than a house- a community of support and love.
What were your first thoughts about coming to the United States? Did those change?
The fear of the unknown, having to adapt without losing my identity, my culture was very important, but confident that it was the right thing to do, for my family, for my future. Moving forward with no regrets.- Life is a constant change and you overcome your fears with preparation and taking a leap of faith.
What challenges did you face transitioning here?
Enrolling the kids in a good school, but most of my friends lived in areas I was not too impressed with, so had to bite the bullet until I was able to know my way around.
What is your occupation? Are you a member of a sorority, fraternity, or any other civic or social organization?
I am currently the Interim Executive Director of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, which is a social justice statewide coalition that oversees sexual assault victims rights, advocate for justice, trains, educates and help shape laws that will impact our State and our survivors.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Clevelanders have made me fall in love with the Midwest. I find beauty, character, history, survivorship in Clevelanders.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
I still eat Dominican food, all the time; celebrate Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day), Speak my language- not as a career advancement, but with all the people that surround me away from work and being able to fellowship and go to church with my community.
What do you love about Cleveland?
Home away from home, able to find a bodega (corner store), that carries all we need for our traditional meals, the investment in the revitalization of this City, but most of all its people. City of Champions (much more than winning an NBA)- Cleveland has overcome financial hardships, housing scandals, being on the news for the worst crimes committed in history, police brutality, etc.- but we have THRIVED. Cleveland is home, family, laughter, tribute of persistence, proud ownership, friendly people, We are the Ellis Island of the Midwest.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
GCIR defines immigrant integration as “a dynamic, two-way process in which newcomers and the receiving society work together to build secure, vibrant, and cohesive communities.” With immigrant integration, there is an “emphasis on the two-way process of change by both immigrants and members of a receiving society.” It’s about adapting and receptivity. It’s important to understand how vital immigrants and refugees are for society, economy and social justice- but the key word is “welcome”; it’s already hard enough having to learn a new language, other customs, leaving so much behind, even those that are in terrible conditions and situations in their homeland, you still have love and pride from where you were born, you don’t need hateful comments, or people looking down at you, or judgment on your choices- You need to be celebrated, ensured, loved, respected for all you are, where you have been, what you have endured to come, you need to be accepted and welcome.
Why is it important to travel abroad?
When you travel abroad it allows you to get out of your comfort zone. You learn the most about yourself and others in uncomfortable, unfamiliar situations. You learn to connect with people despite your differences. When you are able to navigate foreign environments with grace and maturity, you become a smarter, stronger, well-rounded and competent individual.
Walid Negm
Where are you from?
I am from Egypt
What was your childhood like?
It was very beautiful for me everything was nice for me. I had a good job over there before I came here. I was playing for my Olympic team over there before I came here. I played Judo (wrestling).
What brought you to Cleveland?
It is very quite, I like it. I was in New York and it was very expensive. One bedroom is $950. I came here to visit one month and I liked it. I was looking to the future, when I bring my wife or get married and have kids. Here is very nice I like it.
What were your first thought about coming to the United States? Did those change?
First time I came to the United States was on December, 27 2001. When I put my feet in New York I wanted to go back to my country. I was scared because I didn’t know anything around me. I always thought if I wanted to go somewhere how would I get around. It was a new land for me. I visited a lot of countries with my Olympic team. But the first time for me in New York was scary.
What challenges did you face as transitioning here?
When I came to the United States everything was different. I didn’t have a job like I did in Egypt. I worked in the kitchen and warehouse in New York I carried boxes because I needed the money. I didn’t like asking my family for money because everybody in Egypt didn’t want me to come to the United States. Before I came here I didn’t need the money. My life was good; my family was good I had my car, my house and everything before I came here. It was my dream to come to the United States, when I came here I found everything different it was hard to start a new life here. It changed everything; everyday I was fighting myself to stay here. I wanted to go back but I was shy to go back because everybody will talk about me and say I am a loser. It was like a war between me and myself. Now I am happy here I have my kids and wife from Egypt everything is nice for me.
What is your occupation?
I work two jobs. In the morning I work at the gas station and at night I work at a store.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcome?
Its okay, it is not bad you know. Some people are okay, some people say “go back to your country” and a lot of people say that to me if they are angry with me.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
Sports. I still play Judo I go once a week. I started doing that because I want to teach my son.
What do you love about Cleveland?
It is quite.
Why is it important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
It is a good thing because the people can help with jobs. With more people working and having jobs the country would be better and have a good life for all.
Why is it important to travel aboard?
Know other people and know other cultures. I like to know people I love people it doesn’t matter the nationality or religion.
Patrycja Ajdukiewicz
Where are you from?
I was born in Warsaw, Poland and came to the USA when I was 14
What was your childhood like?
Polish customs of raising children were very different of the ones observed in the USA. Kids are much more independent and given the freedom to explore the world. I was able to run around the street of Warsaw without supervision when I was 6/7 years old.
What brought you to Cleveland?
My childhood dream was to go to Harvard and it was much easier to get to coming from an American high school (did not actually end up going there). My mother’s friend married a guy who lived in Middleburg Heights and having a friend in a new country was definitely a plus
What were your first thoughts about coming to the United States? Did those change?
The suburbs of Cleveland are much different than Warsaw; not a lot of people walk and public transport is used primarily by the less fortunate ones. Coming from a bustling city I was used to people sitting outside in the café, or visiting parks and museums. You didn’t see that a lot when I first moved to Cleveland
What challenges did you face transitioning here?
I went to international schools in Poland so language wasn’t an issue, however I realized that the USA isn’t always is it is portrayed in the movies and there are many more nuances to the traditions and holidays that are observed in real life.
What is your occupation? Are you a member of a sorority, fraternity, or any other civic or social organization?
I am a relationship manager at ECDI, a non-for-profit micro-lender that helps entrepreneurs access capital to start or grow their business as well as education needed to ensure their success
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Everybody is excited to learn a new culture, especially when some of them already know of few polish traditions (Dyngus day)
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
Not many; occasionally make a polish dish
What do you love about Cleveland?
Cleveland has changed a lot since when I first moved here. It has become a much more cultured city with a lot of festivals, art galleries, and vibrant districts. Downtown has become a destination and is bringing many younger people who see Cleveland for all the opportunities it provides.
The entrepreneurial ecosystem is also growing, and there are many dedicated individuals who want to see the city succeed and are pledging their resources to make it happen.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
Cultural diversity makes for a stronger community. Being able to welcome people from different walks of life with different customs and traditions helps people broaden their horizons and step out of their comfort zone. I have lived in New York City for many years and being able to discuss issues with individuals of so many backgrounds allowed be to look at issues from perspectives I would never consider. I think it really is the best way to solve conflicts, knowing what the other side might be thinking/ have gone through
Why is it important to travel abroad?
Culture, architecture, people! Seeing foreign cultures first-hand barely compares to what is portrayed on TV. There is so much to be learned from others, that we shouldn’t limit ourselves to what we already know.
Rita Hargrove
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I am from Trinidad & Tobago. My child hood was great. I came to Cleveland with my husband. We met while living in Italy. I was an exchange student and he was in US Navy. He was from Cleveland. My first thought about Cleveland was "it's cold". My thoughts about Cleveland didn't change, it's still cold lol. The only challenge I faced was the different cultures. The food wasn't the same, and my family was far away. I am a dietitian for nutrition services. I've met a lot of people over the years, from my husbands friends and family, our church family, as well as people from different islands in the Caribbean. They all treat me like family. The main customs I continue here is America is traditional West Indian cooking. My family enjoys eating both the American and Trinidadian cuisine on holidays. I love everything about Cleveland. It's my home. I chose to raise my family here, and of course we are the Champs! I think it's important to welcome immigrants and refugees because America is a melting pot. We all come from all around the world. And we learn to work together. That's what makes our country so wonderful. I think it's important to travel abroad to see how other cultures live. Very humbling experiences come from traveling. People who aren't fortunate to have the materialistic items can show you a way of living that you may have never experienced. |
David Delgado
Where are you from?
Originally from El Paso, Texas. Ethnicity: Mexican, Spaniard, Italian.
What was your childhood like?
I am a 3rd and 4th generation American born and raised in El Paso, Texas of Mexican, Italian, and Spanish heritage. El Paso was a multi-cultural city then and even more so now with a greater than 50% hispanic heritage.
My mother came from a military family that was transferred to Ft. BlissTexas (El Paso) during WWII. After my grandfather was killed in action, her family permanently settled in El Paso where she met my father and the rest is history as they say.
I’d say my childhood was quite normal surrounded by a loving family and close family friends. Since El Paso was very much a military town back then, and since my two grandfathers were WWII vets (one deceased) we'd spend national holidays visiting Ft. Bliss National Cemetery and then on to family gatherings. Other holidays and special celebrations too were spent with family and friends. Due to the proximity to Mexico, we would frequently cross the border into Mexico to visit for the day or evening.
Since the desert southwest has an abundance of history and interesting mountainous geography, I spent many hours and days exploring the region camping, hiking, and even climbing some of the surrounding mountains.
I attended the University of Texas at El Paso and became a city police officer in the process.
What brought you to Cleveland?
I was transferred here by a local company where I assumed the position of vice president of international marketing and sales.
What were your first thoughts about coming to the United States? Did those change?
As a 3rd and 4th + generation American, I can't answer this question.
What is your occupation?
Vice President International for a Cleveland based consumer products company. Host and co-producer of an internet based radio program called "Going Global with David Delgado" on VoiceItRadio.com
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Cleveland, like any other urban area of it's size has it's share of problems and challenges from structural, to institutional, to social; however, the strength of the city is it's multi-cultural diversity and the benefits and advantages that such diversity offers when assimilated into an interactive blend of business, educational, and socially enlightening achievements, accomplishments, and opportunities. That diversity, in my opinion, has served to make the attitude of it's residents generally open and welcoming to all.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
Love of ethnic foods and respect for cultural traditions and customs, regardless of ethnicity.
What do you love about Cleveland?
It's multi-cultural diversity and of course wonderful Lake Erie and the endless mind enhancing possibilities that being on such a lake offers.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
The caveat that I would offer here is that I favor legal immigrants and refugees. Yes, we are a nation of immigrants that was forged by ancestors fleeing our native lands for opportunities of a new life. Immigration that was unfettered as recently as the early 20th century as this nation was being forged and solidified. But that was a different time in history. It was a time of growth and expansion, a time of exploring and settling new lands, a time of seeking and establishing new national identities guided by commonly shared ideals of self-reliance and self-determination. We are now a sovereign nation of laws. As with all sovereign nations, I believe we have the indisputable right to establish immigration policies consistent with our domestic and foreign policy objectives.
I favor inviting immigrants and refugees to our country vetting in the same way as we would vet those whom we would invite into the privacy of our own home because afterall, the United States is our home. To do otherwise and to allow unfettered and indiscriminate immigration would be a travesty of justice to those millions who have otherwise been law abiding in their quest to legally immigrate to the United States.
Why is it important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
The answer is because of the incalculable benefit that diversity brings. Freedom of thought, freedom of action, freedom for creativity unleashed. The benefit of knowledge and experiences developed and gained in native lands that may have been stymied or suppressed in those lands now brought to bear in the new host country. Witness Albert Einstein, Werner Von Braun, Irving Berlin, Madeleine Albright just to name a few.
Why is it important to travel abroad?
Foreign travel increases ones human awareness. We are all aware of our humanness but we have a tendency to think that we are all alike and people all behave the same. The reality is that we are alike in many respects but in others, we differ significantly. Louis V. Gerstner Jr., the former head of IBM once said that "Culture isn't just one aspect of the game it is the game." For those who work in international business, it is sometimes amazing to us how differently people in other cultures behave. We tend to have a human instinct that 'deep inside' all people are the same will behave in the same given the same set of circumstances) but they aren't (but they don't) . Therefore, if we go into another country and make decisions based on how we operate in our own home country - the chances are we'll make some very bad decisions.
International travel exposes us to the nuances of different cultures and the people in those cultures. It widens our understanding of the human experience from different perspectives sown from the seeds of those who have experienced life from social, cultural, and geo-political factors different from our own. In other words, it not only widens our world, but opens our eyes.
Mona Alag
I come from the land of teeming millions,
Colorful festivals,
An ancient culture steeped in invaluable values.
India.
My childhood was like any other young girl growing up in India.
Second daughter, one of four children.
We were educated in Convent of Jesus and Mary in Poona.
Even though my father travelled for work/ business,
our mother stayed with us in Poona itself most of the time.
This was to make sure we were not uprooted, and had a good education.
Marriage to an Engineer Harjit Alag,
living in Cleveland brought me here.
Like most in our families, ours was also an arranged marriage.
There were a lot of fears about the move.
Not all of them were about a new land, a new people or being
far from my comfort zone.
Rather, it was about being responsible for running a household in a
new environment.
All that changed very soon.
An angelic silver haired neighbor,Mrs Gable took it upon herself
to show me the ropes.
Trips to the grocery stores, department stores, west side market
we're all initiated by her.
I remember my first experience with a store credit card.May Company.
When the sales person explained that I could buy things and not pay
on the spot,I went crazy.
I loved the " cash or charge?"
Returning home, laden with bags galore, I was brought to reality by a horrified
husband.
My challenges were interesting.
I remember getting a call from a Plain Dealer reporter.
I was asked to comment on a political situation in(now)Bangladesh.
I spoke my mind.The next thing I knew, a half page report,
complete with a picture was flashing on news stands.
Again, a horrified husband!!
I got a call from the legendary Dorothy Fuldheim to appear
on the afternoon news with her.Of course I didn't.Too scared.
I was turned down for two jobs, because I had an English accent!!
I couldn't understand the spelling changes.
Tyre,was tire,cheque was check.
The most interesting experience was when I went to a Mom 'n Pop store
and asked for aluminum foil but pronounced it "alloominium foil."and lady fingers,
And brinjal. aka okra and eggplant.
There were no challenging situations as such.
I was quite fascinated with my new home, eager to learn and absorb.
Language not being a barrier, things were not that difficult.
I'm basically a home maker.
Raised two beautiful children.Our son Deepak Alag,an executive in a
firm in California.Our daughter Pooja Bird,of Twinsburg
an attorney with Timken Steel.
I'm a compulsive volunteer.I have been an active member of
The Federation of India Community Associations.
Serving on the Executive Board for 4 years in the 1980ies
Returning later,to serve as President for two terms.
I now serve on its Board of Trustees.
Chaired Project Seva.
On the Board of Church Women United.Founding member of
of Association of Asian Indian Women of Ohio.
Founding member of Helping Hands.
I also helped my husband in his Engineering firm,
H2L1 Engineering Inc.
I work for Global Services of The Cleveland Clinic,
as an interpreter. Counsel patients from India on financial aid, grants etc.
The money I make from there,is donated to Project Seva( service to humanity)
Where we serve meals once a month in areas where there is a need.
God and America has been very good to us,we need to give back.
I have always maintained that Americans are the friendliest, most helpful
People under the sun.
Cleveland has proven my belief over and over again.
Other than a few stray incidents, when a neighbor didn't want to meet me
because I was Indian, one gentleman telling me to go back to where I came from.
We will always find that element in society wherever we go.
We practice all our festivals in Cleveland, that we did back home.
Be it collectively as a community, as a family or in our Sikh Temple.
We do cling to our identity as Indians, while celebrating the customs of
the country that adopted us, many years ago.Thanksgiving,Christmas,
Mothers Day,Fathers Day, are big in our family.
The Midwest family values and healthy diversity is what I love about Cleveland.
Traveling exposes us to whole new set of cultures and customs.
It expands our horizon,teaches us the value of diversity.
It fundamentally transforms us.
The contribution of immigrants to the United States is phenomenal.
Statistics show that, immigrants are more likely to start businesses,
excel in their endeavors.
The list of immigrants went on to make America their
home and employ thousands of people is endless.
Comcast,AT&T,Google,Yahoo,Kohl's DuPont,Sara Lee, Big Lots etc.
These are just a few examples.
In addition to creating jobs,they have taken their
ventures to dizzying heights and contributing to the prosperity of the nation.
In addition, immigrants complete the rainbow.
They bring with them,their values, cultures,and of course their deep rooted
commitment to pursue higher education and dedication to hard work.
I'm very proud to call Cleveland my home.
It has shaped the strong character of many a young
mind from our community.
Many years my husband had an off from a firm in Texas,
I couldn't bear to leave Cleveland.
It would have been like leaving home for a second time.
Mona Alag.
Kirtland.
Ohio.
Yayra Tamakloe
Where are you from?
I am from Ghana, the volta region specifically Whuti. I was born in Tema however and grew up half my life in Koforidua.
What was your childhood
It was very interesting, I have had equal experiences of living in the city, town and village. So if anything I would say my childhood was very educative. My dad however was super strict, we would eat little to no processed foods, curfew was at 6pm and all my friends and classmates feared him (mostly the boys....lol)
What brought you to Cleveland?
Kent State University's Fashion program brought me to the Cleveland area.
What were your first thoughts about coming to the United States? Did those change?
I thought it was like what we saw on TV but I was so wrong. There are as much problems as there are opportunities here. I am just a little disappointed that the media doesn't show the whole truth so we can well prepare ourselves when we make decisions to travel to different countries.
What challenges did you face as transitioning here?
I had some personal and social problems during my transition which made it a little more difficult. However in regards to fitting into the society, it was quite easy. I just didn't and still don't understand how and why some things are done in America.
What is your occupation?
I am a full time Fashion Design student at Kent State and I work at Red Lobster
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
People in the Cleveland area are quite welcoming. Considering I am specifically in Kent, it is beautiful to see people from all over the world living on one campus. It was my heart.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
In regards to my culture, I still cook traditional foods (my jolly is the best...lol), I dance, sing, speak..etc. Essentially I have kept every aspect my culture.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
You have no idea what they have been through or what the had to leave behind to be here. Personally I want to do more in regards to making immigrants and refugees feel welcomed. It’s not easy living in two worlds and the only people who can tell you first hand are immigrants and refugees.
Why is it important to travel abroad?
There are some opportunities that you can only get when you travel abroad. Educational and career validations are very important to the growing adult and first world countries usually have more opportunities to give a person the type of validations they need to be marketable; sometimes, internationally.
Shiv Aggarwal
Where are you from?
DELHI - India
What was your childhood like?
I was born and raised in the historical city of Delhi (capital of India). It was a multi-racial, multi-religious city. I had friends of all religions and we learnt to understand each other's points of view. Being one of the youngest siblings in a large family, I learnt to respect elders. I grew up in a disciplined environment and was taught to be kind, don't use abusive language, and conduct daily activities in a timely manner.
What brought you to Cleveland?
After completing my MBA from University of Missouri, I worked in Chicago for a year. There I met the Executive Director of Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers, who asked me to work with him in the Buckeye-Woodland area. When I came here to explore the possibility, I was very much impressed with the neighborhood and the city. Then I decided to join and work at the East End Neighborhood House.
What were your first thoughts about coming to USA. Did those change?
When I was studying in India, I was always interested to go abroad for further studies. As we were living in British India, my family was influenced with British education system. My brothers went to England for further studies, and my father insisted that I should go to England. I was pursuing under-graduate studies in a college, established by American Jesuits. I was very much impressed with education system and regularly interacted with American professors.They were a great influence in my life. Then I did my graduate work in an institution modeled on US educational system. Thus I came to USA for further education. I believe that I made the right decision, and I still think the same way as I spent the better part of my life here.
What challenges did you face as transitioning here?
Initially, life in USA posed many challenges and required a great deal of adjustment. I iknew English very well, but American English was a little different, and then the accent was a hurdle. It was difficult to understand each other, and repeated sentences to be understood. The terminology was very different; such as some one asked "Hang on to the keys", literally I hanged them on the wall key board; or terms such as rake, mop,rags were new to me.
What is your occupation?
With degrees of MSW and MBA, I decided to pursue my profession leading to Social Work management; and specialized in Community Organization. I developed and managed in Collinwood as Executive Director of a largest neighborhood based multi-service center of Cleveland.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
I find that Cleveland is the friendliest city. As a new comer, I experienced that Cleveland, business, civic, & political leadership was very helpful. Many people invited me for dinners, and made me a part of their family during Thanksgiving, singing Christmas carols, special occasions as birthdays, weddings, bar mitzvahs, etc. As much as I was, they were very interested in learning about my culture.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
I am a Hindu and Hinduism is a way of life, which I practice on a daily basis. We are taught to love fellow beings, tolerant to their feelings, and be sensitive to their customs. I have attended churches, jewish temples, quakers and bnai brith meetings. I have given the same values to my children and they practice regularly. We celebrate two important events with the family. One is Diwali (festival of lights - victory of truth over evil) and the second is Thanksgiving.
What do you love about Cleveland?
I think that Cleveland is the best location in the nation; major and important cities are within a 400 miles radius. Cleveland is a city which is identified by its neighborhoods - such as Little Italy, Little Poland, Little Hungary, German Village, Lithuanian Village, Slavic Village, Asian Plaza, ethnic cultural garden. We enjoy many ethnic festivals. It is a global village where we find ethnic cuisine, folklores, and people wearing sarees, kimonos, dashikis, etc. I think that Cleveland is unique in many respects.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
America is a country of immigrants. The statue of liberty welcomes newcomers to its shores. Immigrants bring diversity of cultures, languages, and knowledge, which has made this country the richest and most powerful in the world. America is the most compassionate and charitable country, and it accepts immigrants from all walks of life. After Hungarian revolution, an influx of refugees came to Buckeye area. It was , indeed, an opportunity for me to help them in adjusting to new environment, learn English. Many of them were doctors, scientists, and other professionals. Initially, they earned basic minimum to survive, but eventually excelled in their professions and contributed immensely in the american society.
Why is it important to travel abroad?
Traveling broadens the horizon and outlook. We learn the customs, traditions, lifestyle and history of other countries. I have been traveling for over 50 years; besides sight seeing, my motivation is to interact and communicate with local people. For example , in a Frankfurt YMCA, I met with students and exchanged ideas - they were going on a day's bicycle trip, I rented a bicycle and joined them; it was a great experience. In another instance, while walking to see Windmills in Amsterdam, I saw a few children playing. I sat down with them, taught them and sang american children's songs. On the way back from seeing windmills, their parents invited me to have dinner, since it was getting late, they asked me spend night with them. It was a great experience to learn about their life style.
Kim Hahn
Where are you from?
I am from Seoul, South Korea.
What was it like growing up?
I grew up with both my parents and people around me all having extremely high expectations for my educational outcome. It was those expectations that ultimately became my greatest motivation for me to have achieved what I have right now.
What brought you to Cleveland?
I currently live in Kent but do make it a point to get out to Cleveland often. I came to Kent when I got a job as an associate professor at Kent State University in 2011.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
One of my first thoughts was that it was so spacious and spread out as compared to Korea. Everything here was bigger and so many different choices that I have to make for everything. My intent was to go back to Korea after my 2 years of graduate studies was completed. That obviously changed because I never went back to Korea.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
My biggest challenge was communicating with people with cultural backgrounds vastly different from where I grew up.
What is your occupation?
I am an Associate professor and the Associate Director of the Fashion School at KSU
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Yes, very much. Of all of the states I've lived in and visited over the past 20 years, the open-mindedness and acceptance of myself as a just another American by Clevelanders has had a great impact on my feelings of being a part of a community.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
Korea's New year’s day traditions I continue to follow with my kids. They like to dress up in traditional clothes, hear our parental advice and then receive an envelope of cash.
What do you love about Cleveland?
It is a large city with metropolitan features and culture but also filled with smaller town-like community events. I also love spring and fall here. I love going to all of the different metro parks with my family.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
I think it is important that all new immigrants and refugees benefit from the same experiences that I have been fortunate to have had. The kindness that has been extended to me by Ohioians is something that convinced me to stay and share my skills and culture.
Why is it important to travel abroad?
Traveling abroad make you expose to so many different things. You learn to be open-minded, responsible, and aware of the cultural diversity of the other people from around the world in your community.
Jayashree Bidari
Where are you from?
Bangalore, India
What was your childhood like?
It was a good childhood. I grew up in a big city where we had an opportunity to go to good schools and engage in extra curricular activities.
What brought you to Cleveland?
I got married and my husband was working in Cleveland.
What were your first thoughts about coming to the United States? Did those change?
I felt very lonely and homesick. I did not drive. I had no friends. It took me a few years to start driving. Once I learnt how to drive and got a car, my world opened up. I made new friends and started getting involved in community activities.
What challenges did you face as transitioning here?
Loneliness, not knowing anyone, having to figure out how to do things, unable to understand American accent. I was wearing a saree and felt I could not join mainstream. My neighbors were very welcoming and friendly. I went to a block party and everyone knew how to say my name. I had a hard time remembering everyone's names and associating the name with the person. Everyone looked the same to me. I had a Master's degree majoring in Political science from India. It was not a marketable skill. I had to go back to school.
What is your occupation?
I work in the area of tax planning. I work with Business owners and Physicians to cut their taxes. I am also a comedienne.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Once I was able to break my cultural barriers and learnt to mainstream, I felt very welcomed. I had many mentors who have guided me in my career.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
Outwardly, I am westernized. Mine is an Indian home. I cook Indian food and continue to speak my native language. I continue to practice my religion and very grateful to be in a country that gives me the freedom to be who I am.
What do you love about Cleveland?
What is there not to love about Cleveland? It has everything a big city offers and still has the friendly atmosphere. You can afford to lead a good lifestyle. I love the Lake, the beaches and the metro parks.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
My American friends would always tell me that they could not do what I did- leave my family and come and start a new life in a new country. Every new immigrant and refugee would feel lonely and lost. Lending a hand, guiding them in making decisions would help them to mainstream and contribute to our community.
Why is it important to travel abroad?
You learn so much when you step out of your comfort zone and going to another country would broaden one's outlook and knowledge .
