About the Author
Podcast on Youtube: https://youtu.be/We9tn3XPx5k
Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7vJpnra5EA1j9oK7BAOZep?si=4sqTODFPQlulwqyajIZ3pQ
Catalina Mena is a sophomore at Melrose High School, who loves running with her track team and spending time with friends and family. Because her parents are immigrants from El Salvador and Colombia, Catalina has always had an interest in learning about her ancestry and the struggle all immigrants face when leaving their country. Once finishing high school, she plans to go to college and become a broadcast journalist.
Acerca del Autor
Podcast en Youtube: https://youtu.be/We9tn3XPx5k
Podcast en Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7vJpnra5EA1j9oK7BAOZep?si=4sqTODFPQlulwqyajIZ3pQ
Catalina Mena nació en California, y creció en Massachusetts. Es una estudiante de segundo año en Melrose High School, le encanta correr con su equipo de atletismo y pasar tiempo con amigos y familia. Los padres de Catalina son inmigrantes de El Salvador y Colombia, y por eso Catalina siempre ha tenido interés en aprender sobre sus raíces y la lucha que enfrentan todos los inmigrantes al salir de su país. Una vez que termine el bachillerato, planea ir a la universidad y ser una periodista.
Exploring the Immigration Experience
I have always been interested in the stories and experiences of the immigrant community. I have written essays and done other school projects with immigrants and want to continue doing so. When the choice came to pick a subject for a project this year, of course, I jumped at the opportunity to continue learning more about the immigrant community in Massachusetts. I wrote an essay on the criminalization of immigrants, learning about different titles and laws against immigrants and more about the biases they face. The second part of the project was to raise awareness, specifically about the struggles the immigrant community faces, and share it with a broader audience. I knew the best way to do this was by sharing real stories and experiences. To do that I decided to make a podcast and an Instagram (@mhs.immigrationawareness) so the podcast could reach a bigger audience. On the Instagram, I also share websites where people can learn more and different organizations that help the immigrant community.
When first choosing the people to interview, I knew I wanted a range of immigrants with different backgrounds. I thought that by doing this I could show that no matter an immigrant’s background, or the way they left their home country. They still face similar struggles and believe that there is a bias against them. I then invited different family friends to share their experiences as immigrants to raise awareness. I am very thankful that they were willing to help me with my project and share their stories.
While listening to the interviews and editing the podcast I realized how difficult life can be depending on where you live and come from. I used to believe depending on someone’s status in their home country or the way they immigrate, they would face different issues. But this podcast reiterates the fact that no matter the circumstance, they all face struggles and bias.
Una Exploración de la Experiencia de Inmigración
Por Catalina Mena
Siempre me han interesado las historias y experiencias de la comunidad inmigrante. He escrito ensayos y otros proyectos sobre la inmigración y es mi deseo seguir haciéndolo. Asi que, cuando me tocó elegir un tema para un proyecto de este año, por supuesto, aproveché la oportunidad para seguir aprendiendo más sobre la comunidad inmigrante sus historias y sus retos en Massachusetts. Primero escribí un ensayo sobre la criminalización de los inmigrantes y, a través de este aprendí sobre diferentes leyes que no le favorecen a estos y también sobre los prejuicios que enfrentan. La segunda parte del proyecto fue crear conciencia, específicamente sobre los obstaculos que enfrenta la comunidad immigrante, y quiera compartir estos con la mayor audiencia posible. Sabía que la mejor manera de hacerlo era compartiendo historias y experiencias reales. Por eso, decidí hacer un podcast y compartirlo en Instagram (@mhs.immigrationawareness) para que este pudiera ser escuchado ampliamente. En Instagram, también comparto sitios web de organizaciones que apoyan a la comunidad inmigrante.
Cuando elegí a los entrevistados, sabía que quería inmigrantes con diferentes experiencias. Al hacer esto podría demostrar que no importa el origen de un inmigrante o la forma en que dejó su país de origen pues, todos enfrentan luchas similares y son conscientes que existe una tendencia en su contra. Luego invité a diferentes amigos de la familia a compartir sus experiencias como inmigrantes para crear conciencia. Estoy muy agradecida por su disponibilidad a ayudarme con el proyecto y compartir sus historias.
Mientras escuchaba las entrevistas y editaba el podcast, me di cuenta de lo difícil que puede ser la vida dependiendo de dónde vives y de dónde vienes. Solía creer que dependiendo del nivel social de alguien en su país de origen o la forma en que inmigra, enfrentaría diferentes problemas. Pero este podcast reitera el hecho de que, sin importar las circunstancias, todos enfrentan luchas y prejuicios.
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