Interview with Silvia D

Interview with Silvia D.

Johanna Kjesbu: Interviewer
Kim Middlebooks: Note taker

Johanna: Hey Silvia… So we have this project that we have to find out information on someone that was not born in America. Then we compile all the information into a collage basically of your life with emphasis on your culture. You can answer whatever you feel comfortable answering. You can use your full name or just a first name or even be anonymous if that suits you best. First things first… did I spell Bulgaria right?

Silvia: Hello.
Yes, you spelled it right… (B-u-l-g-a-r-i-a)… and I would love to do this for you. It's interesting because I answer questions like these (to different people) at least twice a day when they hear my accent, and now it's all combined in 1 survey…I will try to answer directly and as informative as possible.

Johanna: Thanks so much! Ok here goes...

• Name
Silvia D.

• Country of birth
Bulgaria, we lived in a really pretty town.

• Family (any brothers, sisters, parents)
I am here with parents (mom and dad) and one older brother.

• Did your family all move over here together?
Yes...back in 2001.

• What is your first language?
Bulgarian (it's a slavic language, only spoken in my country. It is close to Russian and we use the same alphabet.

• Did you learn English before coming to America?
Yes, I took some courses in high school but definitely improved a lot by communicating here. The best practice for a foreign language is to live somewhere, talk, and listen to people, really immerse oneself into the culture. Language books and tapes are not as helpful as you would think.

• Why did you decide to move to Greensboro, NC?
We had friends of my parents that were already here in Greensboro, NC. When you move somewhere permanently you need the initial support of somebody to answer your questions, to show you where everything is (for example where to get your ID, how to get to the post office, which is the company for power etc.)

• What is your reason for moving to America?
Well my parents brought me here. They had the opportunity and decided to go for it. They wanted to try something new… to "open" more options for my brother and I by traveling and experiencing another culture. Also improving language skills (as consequence), seeing the benefits and disadvantages of living somewhere else, and really giving me (us) the option to choose one day what we like best (once I've experienced it)..

• What are you studying?
Medical Technology-OR and Clinical Lab Professional

• Wow, smarty-pants, that sounds really intense. You must work really hard. What are your dreams/aspirations for your move here?
Haha, Yes it is pretty difficult but I love working hard and really experiencing the field I am getting into. I have this really great internship right now working in hospital. As far as dreams and aspirations I am about to graduate, so that's one out of the way. I can’t wait to finally be done and get a job. I would really like to travel some more… Spring break in Florida last year was a blast!

• What was a favorite Bulgarian food dish? Can you make it in the U.S.?
I have a lot of them. My mom cooks them all the time. I don't cook because I don't have time. You can find all the ingredients here and all you need to do is follow the recipe... and mmm... it's yummy!!


• Was the clothing here different from Bulgaria?
Not too different. Maybe we don't wear jeans all the time. We wear more formal outfits like skirts and dresses. We also walk more on the streets instead of driving everywhere. People can check you out easily... The steet is a place to see and be seen I guess. So basically... by being seen more, you want to try to look nice… that's my explanation. That is more of the daytime style but as far as bars and clubs it’s about the same type of clothing.

• Music?
Not too different from here. We do have some traditional music though. As far as hits, they all circle the radios around the world...I remember Michael Jackson and Madonna a long, long time ago...

• Anything unique that you did to prepare you for coming to America?
Uhhh... I can't think of anything right now...I didn't know what it was going to be like so nothing really in particular.

• If you could name 3 of the top things that were different from Bulgaria to America that was the hardest getting used to, what would they be?
1.) All the different measurements ( F vs C (temp), lbs vs kg (weight), ft & inches vs cm(height), miles vs km (distance)
2.) Driving everywhere instead of walking or using public transportation (bus, subway…)
3.) Big shopping marts vs small shops on the street..


• What is the military like? I think you mentioned that men are required to serve in the military for a few years out of highschool?
Yes it is a requirement for every man (not voluntary ;and definitely NOT girls), and they go for six months or a year (used to be) and get the military training.






• Any hand gestures or body gestures in Bulgaria different from here? (Didn't you say something about the “yes” and “no” head nodding is different)
Yes, that was the most striking. I think I remember reading about it in some Sociology books too about body language. The “yes” nod (up and down) is opposite from the “no” nod (left and right). We shake our heads left and right in reference to a yes answer. I used to do it the 1st year here and people would look at me weird… "So..yes or no..?”

Johanna: That is so funny. It’s something so small and it could make such a difference. I may have a few other questions later to follow up but I think this would be great for now... Thank you SOOOOO much you are a lifesaver. I'll show you the whole thing when we are done with the project… it might be kind of fun for you to have. We have been friends for almost two years now and I didn’t know some of this about you! I guess you get pretty tired of answering these kinds of questions a lot though. Anyway, I can’t thank you enough! Love you!

Silvia: I love you too! It’s no trouble. I like talking about Bulgaria. I miss it. Bye honey… Let's hang out soon!

Johanna: See you this weekend!