Carpathian Peaks to Miami Beach

Summary

In this presentation, Apollinaire Mendoza, an International Relations student at Miami Dade Honors College, discusses his research on the acculturation of Ukrainian immigrants in the U.S. due to forced migration caused by political unrest and conflict in Ukraine. He highlights themes such as language barriers, support networks, the friendliness of Americans, challenges with renting, and maintaining Ukrainian cultural traditions. Through interviews with six Ukrainian immigrants, Mendoza explores their experiences and struggles while adjusting to American life, ultimately offering insights into the difficulties of immigration and the importance of expanding language support for immigrants.

Takeaways

• 😀 The research focuses on the acculturation of Ukrainian immigrants in the U.S., especially those displaced due to political unrest and armed conflict in Ukraine.
• 😀 Apollinaire Mendoza, an International Relations student, conducted interviews with six Ukrainian immigrants to understand their experiences adjusting to American culture.
• 😀 The study highlights key themes such as language barriers, emotional struggles, housing difficulties, and the importance of support networks in helping immigrants settle in the U.S.
• 😀 Language acquisition was a significant challenge for participants, with many struggling to learn English, which hindered their integration into society.
• 😀 Ukrainian immigrants valued the friendliness of Americans who helped them learn English and navigate various systems, contrasting with experiences in other countries like Germany.
• 😀 The presence of Ukrainian community networks, such as family and friends, played a crucial role in the immigrants' ability to adapt, providing them with initial housing and emotional support.
• 😀 Participants mentioned challenges in securing housing, including issues with upfront costs, lack of credit scores, and potential exploitation by dishonest landlords.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, many participants maintained their Ukrainian language and cultural traditions, even as they adapted to American society.
• 😀 One of the emotional struggles highlighted was the feeling of loss, especially the loss of cultural practices and the ability to communicate in their native language.
• 😀 Apollinaire’s personal connection as an immigrant daughter added depth to the research, particularly in understanding the emotional challenges related to language barriers and displacement.
• 😀 The research suggests that the U.S. government should expand language support programs and create more opportunities for smaller immigrant groups, such as Ukrainians, to feel integrated into American society.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Apollinaire Mendoza's research?

Apollinaire Mendoza's research focuses on the acculturation of Ukrainian immigrants in the United States, particularly in Miami. The study explores their lived experiences, challenges, and the role of cultural assimilation amidst forced migration due to armed conflict in Ukraine.

What was the primary cause of the forced migration of Ukrainian immigrants, as mentioned in the presentation?

The primary cause of forced migration for Ukrainian immigrants, as mentioned in the presentation, was armed conflict and political strife, particularly the Euromaidan protests, the Revolution of Dignity, and the ongoing Ukrainian War.

How many Ukrainian immigrants did Apollinaire Mendoza interview for his research, and how were they selected?

Apollinaire Mendoza interviewed six Ukrainian immigrants for his research. The participants were selected through Miami Dade College’s newspaper and word of mouth through friends and family of previous participants, ensuring a diverse set of experiences.

What were some of the key themes identified in the interviews with Ukrainian immigrants?

Some of the key themes identified in the interviews include support networks, the friendliness of people, climate, government functions, renting a home, the English language, and the retention of the Ukrainian language.

How did the language barrier affect the experiences of Ukrainian immigrants in the U.S.?

The language barrier was a significant challenge for most of the Ukrainian immigrants. Many of them struggled to learn English, which affected their communication at work and with others. Some immigrants, like Daisy, were helped by the friendliness of people who tried to assist them in learning English.

What role did support networks play in the lives of Ukrainian immigrants?

Support networks were crucial for the Ukrainian immigrants. Many relied on family and friends for housing and advice during the initial period after arriving in the U.S. Additionally, apps like Telegram were used to stay connected and updated about legal and immigration status changes.

What challenges did Ukrainian immigrants face regarding housing?

Ukrainian immigrants faced difficulties finding housing, often due to a lack of credit scores, the need for co-signers, or high upfront costs. Some also encountered scammers trying to exploit their unfamiliarity with the U.S. housing market.

How did Ukrainian immigrants retain their culture while acculturating to American society?

While acculturating to American society, many Ukrainian immigrants retained their cultural identity, particularly through the continued use of the Ukrainian language at home. Some participants even reported using Ukrainian more after the war started, as a way to preserve their culture.

What emotional challenges did Ukrainian immigrants experience during their acculturation process?

Many Ukrainian immigrants expressed emotional difficulties, particularly related to the loss of their culture and traditions. For example, they could no longer celebrate Ukrainian holidays in the same way, and some children had difficulty communicating in Ukrainian, as they learned only English.

What policy recommendations did Apollinaire Mendoza suggest based on his research findings?

Apollinaire Mendoza recommended expanding language access, particularly in local communities with growing immigrant populations. He suggested increasing the number of teachers who can speak languages such as Russian and Ukrainian to assist immigrants with language barriers and integration into American society.