Diana

Diana

Oral history from Bogota, Colombia to Lawrence, Kansas

Originally from Colombia, Diana has lived in Lawrence, KS for a number of years. In this interview, she speaks about her experience before moving to Kansas, when she first lived in the welcoming city of Lansing, Michigan. She found Lansing to be “totally different” from Bogota. After staying in Lansing, she went back to Colombia before arriving in Lawrence, Kansas. Diana emphasizes the importance of staying connected to Colombian culture through language. Her message to the younger generation is to respect others.

2010s

Lawrence, Kansas

Diana (D)
Joohye (J)

D: So we lived there from, oh my God, 2008 until 2012.

D: Then we went back to Colombia because my husband had a Fulbright. So we needed to went back. So we were in Colombia for five years. And after that, he decided that he wanted to apply to jobs here in the United States. And I was agreed.

D: So first we came here to Lawrence, Kansas for one semester because he was a visiting professor.

D: We came here in August 2015 until December the same year. At the end of that period, KU offered him a job. So we went back to Colombia for one year to get ready and have papers and everything.

D: And we came for good at the beginning of 2017.

D: And he start work as a professor here in KU in the Communication [Studies] Department. And six months later I start here in Spanish and Portuguese Department as a lecturer. That was the beginning.

J: Could you explain a little bit more in detail about your first experiences when you talked about your first arrived in Michigan? I bet that it was, there are some things that maybe were shocking or maybe some things that are similar. Maybe there's some things that were like “wow.” Could you explain in detail a little bit more?

D: Yeah, of course.

D: During that time we didn't have kids. So it was a totally different experience. I didn't speak very good English–I'm still working on that–but during that time my English was very…it wasn't enough. So that was difficult for me.

D: But I started studying English every day. And that was incredible [and] helpful because I was immersed in the culture. So I had to speak English every day. So my English improved very fast.

D: We really like Michigan. We were–we lived like a student, so it was different. [It was a lifestyle] with a small budget and we had a good group of friends. They're from different parts of Latin America. So our experience there was more like a student here, I think so.

D: We–we found that Michigan State was a really diversity [sic] campus. It was–there were people from every part of the world.

D: So there was something very different for me because I used to live in Bogota, that is a big city. But there are not a lot of people from other countries. So that was different.

D: And what else? And before that, I worked a lot in Bogata. I did my masters, so I was always busy. Then in Michigan, I studied English in the mornings and then I was free. So I had a lot of time in my hands and that was totally different from my life before Michigan.

D: And I start to do different things, travel a little bit inside this–Michigan and make friends and to craft and that kind of stuff.

D: And of course, we need some food. Because Michigan has, we lived in East Lansing, that is next to Lansing. And we found in Lansing some Latin American markets. So we were able to find some Latin American food there.

D: And also in Asian markets, we found some Latin American food or at least food that was similar to our foods. So that was great.

D: And I had a lot of time to read. That's something that I love.

D: That was like at the beginning and we really fell in love with Michigan. It’s a great, great part of this country.

J: Would you also say that there was a strong Latin American community in Michigan? Or how would you describe what or was it mostly like being in University you're talking about because they are university students or was there also presence in the community?

D: I'm not sure about the community–the Latin American community in Michigan–MSU had–during that time I'm not sure if there is still have that–they have Latin American group with the students and also professor[s] and staff.

D: So when we go there, the Latin American group contact us and they gave us like a basket. With some gifts, some stuff that we were going to use and need, like, for example, pots, and also silverware, blankets. That [type] of stuff.

D: That was really amazing because we felt welcomed.

D: And immediately we start to to get together with them. They had different activities during the year, like a Halloween or Thanksgiving. Some parties to–to people–people be able to talk and meet.

D: So that's why we were able to have a good group of friends from Latin America. We were in the same situation. We were students, or actually we also had some professor that became friends and we had a good group there.

J: Would you also like to share, you mentioned that your husband received the Fulbright then you guys then you had the opportunity to go back to Colombia. Would you be able to discuss what that was like after some time in Michigan and then back to Colombia again?

D: Yeah. It was very difficult. Because when–before we went back to Colombia, my first kid was born. He was born in Michigan when he was maybe two-months old, we went back.

D: We had a totally different situation. We were new parents. We were tired. We were lost. And I think it was more difficult to went back to Colombia then to came to Michigan for the first time.

D: It was more because when we came here, we knew that it was temporary. It was an adventure. But in Bogota, it was our real life. We were new parents. So it was difficult for my husband and for me; at the beginning, it was more difficult for me.

D: But after, I don't know, maybe six months, seven months, I start to accept the situation, to get used [to it]. And my husband started to feel sad, nostalgic. Because also Bogota is a very big, crazy city. The traffic is terrible. It’s like a big city like New York, Chicago, I don't know. Many people. It is crowded. The transportation is crazy. Sometimes could be insecure [unsafe].

D: And Michigan…Lansing is a small town. Everything is easy. You get very fast to every part of the city.

D: So that was like a shock. We knew that Bogata was like that. But we weren't aware that we were going to miss that much–the life that we had in Michigan.

J: And then when you came back to Lawrence from that from the Fulbright and then to Lawrence. Would you also be able to describe more specifically that transition?

D: Again to the first time when we came here as a visiting professor?

J: Yes.

D: Okay. I came here. We came here when my second child was two months old also. So that was tough for me. I wanted to came because I knew that it was a good opportunity for him [Diana’s husband]. He was absolutely sad about his job in Bogata. He really wanted to be able to research more and here is easier than in Columbia.

D: I was–I wanted to support him and since I had maternity leave, because in Columbia you have paid maternity leave, we decided that it was a good time to came here. So we did. But it was very difficult. We live in an apartment that is part of the KU apartment from visiting professors small apartment, but it was enough.

D: But I didn't know anyone. I was with a newborn. He cried a lot. My oldest boy didn't know how to speak English. So when he went to the daycare, he was miserable. He cried a lot. I was very sensitive. I think that hormone because of the postpartum. And my–and my husband was working like crazy because he felt that [he] got that one was an opportunity that he need to to take advantage of.

D: I was–I was lonely, lost. I didn't know…It was difficult. I took advantage of be with my baby. But at some point, you need to talk with other adults. That was difficult for me. I don't have a good memories about that time. I like it. Lawernce. Because Lawrence is charming, but I didn't know anyone, so I don't know.

J: Did you feel like after some time when you became a lecturer for the Spanish and Portuguese Department, you were able to start to feel more of the connections with other adults?

D: Yes! Of course, because we were here as a visiting professor for one semester and then we went back to Colombia for one year. So that year was weird because we knew that we were going to came back again. And I knew that my life here, what's going to be different from the life that I had during those four months when we came here for the first time.

D: So I was preparing myself and I knew that I was going to have a job and [a] different experience.

D: So during the first six months when we came here for good. It was difficult because I miss my family. I wasn't sure about the day. That was the right decision for us, especially because of family and friends.

D: But then I start to see that my husband was happy. My oldest kid start to learn English very fast, very easy. And my youngest one, at that point, was one year-and-a-half. So it was easier. And he start to–to–to go to the daycare as well.

D: So I had more time for me and then I started to work. And, yes, that changed everything because I like to be active. I love to be with my family, but also I love to have my own life, my projects, my time.

D: So it was good.

D: That was a very good change of the dynamic for me.

J: Would you be able to explain a little bit more when you said, “I like to have my own life.” Like some of them more in detail, like the projects or activities are the ways that we're able to do that?

D: I love reading. I like to read and when you have a babies or kids it is very difficult to find the time to do it. Because at the end of the day, you're so tired that you just want to watch TV or I don't know…So for me it was very important. It is very important to have time, not just after they go to sleep.

D: Just like I–in the middle of the day when I when I am awake to do certain stuff like a reading or meditate or just go to a coffee shop and work from there, or maybe have lunch with a friend. Or just watch my own shows, not just Paw Patrol and Peppa Pigs. Or a date with my husband or talk like a long time with my mom or one of my friends from Columbia.

D: Or workout. I like to walk. I like to walk by myself sometimes with my family, but I prefer by myself. And it's not, not, not like as something very special, but it's important for me not just be a mom or a professor or a wife. It is more like I like to be able to do wherever I want during certain moments of the day or at least of the week.

J: And also you start, you had the opportunity to start as a lecturer in the Spanish and Portuguese. Could you explain what it was first like lecturing and maybe preparing materials and teaching new classes of students and things?

D: Okay. I had experience teaching at MSU so I was familiar with the college–I don’t know–contexts. Then in Columbia, I was a teacher in the middle school, so that was very different.

D: So when–when I started to work here, I have, of course I was scared because I am an immigrant. That moment in the political context was very difficult in this country. This is still difficult, but at the time was when Trump start to be a president. So we were really scared of that.

D: Even…I mean we were legal and everything, but still we didn't know how was going to be living here with that contexts, with that political situation.

D: So when I started to work and found like a, maybe because I teach Spanish, usually. Students are more like open-mind. If you want to learn another language, it is because I think so, you know or understand that the world is more than the United States.

D: So that was, that was a relief, like to see or to able to feel like the students were, like, nice, respectful, welcome people from different backgrounds. And this [KU’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese] Department of course has different people from different countries. So that was good.

D: I did–I had to prepare material, but I had during that time a coordinator that he was very, very helpful and he was ready to help me, to explain me, to guide me. So I felt support. After, I don’t know, two months I was more comfortable.

D: It was at the beginning, it was easy, I think so. I was a scared of course, but it was easy. And I felt like I was able to be myself as a teacher like my own mark or whatever. Yeah.

J: And also you feel like before were there certain things which made it difficult for you? And you said you were able to be yourself when you started to teach. But before were there things that made it more difficult to be yourself or yourself at some times and not others?

D: Can you reframe the question?

J: That you are able to be myself as a teacher. And I was wondering with the like the students were open-minded and respectful. Were there other factors that allowed you to be more into yourself in your teaching?

D: Okay. Yes, I think so. I had a supervisor but he never tried to [im]pose his view. He was very open to hear my ideas. Very respectful with my methods. I felt like I was able to propose different things to decide. We had to follow some–some maybe no activity, some topics.
D: But I was able to decide if I wanted to explain certain topic the more deep or not or, like, I was able to read, my students, took decisions and my supervisor was very respectful with that, and I really appreciate that. That's why I felt like I was able to be myself.

D: I had to follow certain stuff, but it didn't feel like I was repeating something that other person did.

J: Okay. And this is sort of going back to one of the first things you talked about finding certain particular ingredients in some Latin American markets and also as Asian, Asian, some Asian markets. And I was wondering, is food, your primary way of staying connected with the Colombian culture or reminding you of Bogota?

J: Or is it also, do you think there's like a linguistic aspect because you also teach Spanish, so the food and the language.

J: And are there also other customs that you practice or that you hope that your family will continue?

D: Food is important, of course, I am not the one who cooks at home, it is my husband. I don't like to cook. So he tried to cook a Colombian food. And some of the food that he cooks need like a very common ingredients.

D: But of course, I need some food that I can find here. So sometimes–my brother lives in Florida–and there is very easy to find food from Columbia. So sometimes he sends a box with some food that I like it.

D: When my mom comes, she also brings some treats on some of the stuff that I like it. So…but it's important, but it's not like essential for me. I'm not crazy about food. It's like not something that I think about it the whole time. But we eat a lot of Colombian food. I mean, the–the dish that my husband prepare, usually are Colombian food

D: But other other things that connect with my country, obviously the language. We just speak Spanish at home because we really think that it's important that our kids keep their language. Every year is more difficult of course, because they are growing up and they want to talk English the whole time. And we're really, really, what is the word for that…are really determinate that have to speak Spanish because my mom doesn't speak Spanish.

D: My mother-in-law does sorry, English. My mother-in-law doesn't speak English. And also because as a person that learned English when I was an adult, I know how difficult it is.

D: I have and I had and I have some students that their parents were from Latin America or something like that and they didn't speak Spanish with them. And now they are learning. They are like, I don't know, understand why my parents never talked to me in Spanish. That is very important. The idioms. The way that we say some stuff.

D: My mom comes very, very often. My mother-in-law, too. So that is important for–to keep the contact with our family and our friends.

D: And also some traditions. I didn't know. Nothing special but e.g. in December. The seventh of December, in Colombia, that is the day that Christmas starts, like, officially, and you just light on some candles outside your home to celebrate Día de la Virgen [CHECK] Virgin Mary, Virgin Day, something like that. We still do that. It's hard because it's cold here during the day. But we tried to keep doing that.

D: And–I don't know–the way that we are trying to to raise our kids. They are kids–they're growing up in a different culture that we did. So we try to to meet so to either know both cultures and that is tough. I mean, I think he's going to be great for them, but sometimes as parents it is hard.

J: And are there any other details or examples that you would like to share about your story, your experience before I ask you a final wrap-up question?

D: About my traditions? Or about what?

J: Just in general about your story so far.

D: Okay. Let's see. I don't know. I mean, we have lived here for almost five years. Almost five years. We're happy here. But I think that we never going not to feel as an immigrant. So this is our home now, but you are an immigrant. And I think that we need to make peace with that. Be proud of that.

D: We feel, like, privileged because Lawrence in general is a safe open space that welcomes immigrants. But of course, there is always something in the back of your brain that knows that maybe, in some point, maybe there is going to be a person who say something awful in a store, for example when you are talking Spanish with your kids or I don't know.

D: For example, when I go to a store and the person is not very polite, I try to think that that person is having a bad day or maybe is that the way that person is? I'm not trying to think immediately that that person is racist because otherwise it's going to be very difficult if you're always are defensive about everything.

D: But it's a possibility. And obviously, I'm scared that especially for my kids because they are–they feel like they are Americans but they don't–they don't. And of course sometimes they ask why we don't do certain stuff and my friends do. Why is your pronunciation like that? They try to obviously correct my pronunciation…the whole time.

D: Now they understand more that [my accent] is part of me, is part of my English and that it is brave for people who tried to speak another language. And that is totally okay. It's okay to have an accent, wrong pronunciation.

D: So we're trying to educate them to see that everyone has the same rights, that they have to be proud of their culture, and that there is no issue to have two different backgrounds. But they realize that it's not easy, but we're trying.

J: Actually, you answered my wrap-up question…

D: Okay! [laughs].

J: Which the question was: If you had any advice for your children or just like the future generation in general, what would it be? And wow, thank you.

D: You're welcome.

D: I think that is important–I really like, for example, to read books to my kids from different authors, from different…with different news stories to explain. Maybe fiction, but explain that kind of situation.

D: And we try to be very honest with them. These 0s, maybe he's going to, Maybe it is going to happen. You have to be ready. But at the same time, we had been lucky because we have a good group of friends here. We haven't felt anything bad so far. Maybe not very explicit. Maybe some people don't like us, I don't know, but we haven't felt. So yes.

D: So my idea is that my kids don't feel bad because they don't have parents who speak perfect English and they accept other cultures. So they–they are in a good elementary school where they have more classmates from different parts of the world. So that is good.

Joohye

Diana

Lawrence, Kansas

English

Bogota, Colombia

Lawrence, Kansas

Lansing, Michigan