Image in the public domain
In 2015, the United States resettled nearly 70,000 refugees as wars and political instability continue to drive people from their home countries. Resettlement isn’t easy for the person coming to a new country. One of those people, Barwaqo Mohamed was born and grew up in Somalia, but came to the U.S. as a political refugee in 2006. In this audio story, Barwaqo talks about her experience as an immigrant with a journalist who volunteered to tutor her in English for over four years. Barwaqo describes herself as a natural at learning languages and that helped her fit in. Listen to the interview to learn how that skill has served her since she came to the U.S.
Story Length: 4:59
WBUR
09/11/2012
https://app.listenwise.com/students/lessons/276-immigrant-experience
Barwaqo Mohamed came to the United States as a political refugee. What does that mean?
How does she describe the differences between the way Somali women and Americans communicate?
After leaving Somalia, why do you think Barwaqo did not come directly to the United States?
Why do you think the interviewer is surprised that Barwaqo says she finds it easy to be a Muslim in America?
What qualities does Barwaqo have that have helped to make her experience as an immigrant a positive one?