Coming to America: Interview with a War Refugee

This interview tells the plight of a little girl who grew up in a region ravaged by a war that devastated her home, her family, her friends, her town, and her country. However, despite these hardships, or perhaps because of them, she decided to dedicate her life to helping children.

The interviewee will be referred to as "Nadia," meaning "hope."

I, Rob, will be noted as the interviewer.

Rob: What motivated you to dedicate your life to helping children?

Nadia: Since the time that I was a young girl growing up in Bosnia, the most war torn state of my home country, the former Yugoslavia, I watched as other children my age, children who I grew up with and have known for my entire life, lost their families, their caretakers, and became wholly reliant on the good will of neighbors and strangers for protection, shelter, clothing, and food.

Rob:At what age did you make the choice to be the one to fill the 'caretaker' role?

Nadia: At the age of fourteen, after having bared silent witness to such an enormous amount of dire tragedy for so long I could no longer remain idle. By this age I was mature enough to contribute to the community and help to relieve and alleviate some of the suffering felt by many of those who lived in my city.

Rob: Can you tell me about the first time you got involved in education?

Nadia: I took the first opportunity that was given to me and I volunteered at local orphanages for children who lost their guardians in the war. There I worked exclusively with children between the ages of three and ten.

Rob: What type of education did you provide to them?

Nadia: My responsibilities to them were to teach the reading and writing skills in Serbo-Croatian as well as English, along with math and recreational activities. Moreover, my colleagues also provided counseling to lessen the stress on all of the children at the center, and to help fight the depression which was felt by most of those at the orphanages.

Rob: Did you receive the counseling as well?

Nadia: No, at fourteen to fifteen, when you're living in a war where the enemy and your own side is bombing your town, that means that you are now responsible to help the little ones. No, I did not get the counseling... perhaps it would have helped! (laughs)

Rob:When did you come to the United States?

Nadia: I was sixteen when my family and I moved to Phoenix, Arizona under a refugee status.

Rob: What kind of education did you receive here?

Nadia: I immediately resumed my education in American high schools. It was very far behind our schools back home.

Rob: Since you were ahead, did you take the opportunity to help your American peers?

Nadia: Oh yes, absolutely! During my junior year I enrolled as a teacher's assistant in French 1-2. There is had the benefit of assisting students with their work and problems... Oh, and when I say "benefit," I do not use it lightly. I did indeed benefit greatly from interacting and working with students in my new country on a one and one basis, learning new customs while at the same time teaching.

Rob:After high school, did you continue your education?

Nadia: I am not dumb, Rob!

Rob: (laughs)

Nadia: I chose to continue my education at Glendale Community College. There I took many basic education courses, one of which had me traveling to an Elementary school to observe a first grade classroom.

Rob: What was it like to work with young children again?

Nadia: It was so wonderful; I just cannot tell you. They are not in a war, but they have different traumas, you know? Some cannot read, others cannot speak English... these are real problems for kids in the country.

Rob:What were your responsibilities?

Nadia: At first, I assisted the teacher by grading assignments, and assisted the students with their work at every given occasion. I was involved in a special education program, in which I observed the curriculum provided to special education students and learned firsthand about the special needs of these children.

Rob: Statistically, most teachers do not last more than three years in their career. Do you ever regret your decision to follow this path?

Nadia: From the point in my life where I was looking after the children who lost their parents in the Yugoslavian Civil War, to working with children in American classrooms, up until this very day, I have carried with me the profound feelings of joy and sense of accomplishment that come from working with children and the knowledge which comes only from knowing that I have touched the life of a child and have indeed made a difference in the life of a small person; for that reason I have decided to enter into the education field, and to dedicate myself to becoming a teacher.

Rob: So... that's a no?

Nadia: Of course, Rob!

Immigrants to the United States like Nadia create a lasting contribution, the effects of which will last for generations. She alone will influence the lives of hundreds of children. Her courage and bravery make her a hero; not because she survived a war, but because she fights one every day, a battle for the future of America's Children.