TOPIC: A Samoan Immigrant's Story
Family Background
1. Tell me about growing up in Samoa.
Where were you born/raised?
How many were in your family?
What did your family do for a living?
What do you remember about growing up there?
What was your schooling there?
What were your plans for the future when you were going to school?
Leaving Samoa
2. Tell me when and how you left Samoa.
How old were you at the time?
Why did you/your family leave?
What were your plans?3. Tell me what you expected life to be like in the U.S.
Settling in the U.S.
4. What were your first impressions of the U.S.?
Did you know anyone here?
Where did you first settle? Why there?
Did you know or meet other Samoans here?
Life in the U.S.
5. Tell me about your life in the US.
How did you go about finding a job?
housing?
making friends?
What was the most adjustment for you?
How did your life here compare to your life in Samoa?6. Were you able to maintain Samoan customs? Language?
What difficulties did you face maintaining your culture?
Did you maintain ties with Samoa? Visit?
Reflections
7. Looking back on your experience, what you have done differently?
Would you have stayed in Samoa?
What would you do differently in the U.S.?
