Meskhetian+Turks-Interview

We are interviewing a Meskhetian Turk on wednesday at the IRC. we can only bring 3, so who wants to go? Can we record?

this is the letter and the questions I gave to Ms. Giraud to give to the refugee we're gonna be interviewing. I thought we already agreed that jackson and I ( edi) are gonna go? pls tell me what you think bout these questions and the letter, add some if you wish

Georgia

Dear Nazanin,

The sophomore class of Rowland Hall St. Mark’s high school is studying political situations of countries in which people are being persecuted for race and religion. The insight we gained into the things that are happening in those countries made us feel compelled to take action. As a result, we decided to develop a type of online encyclopedia, which will contain information about the countries in which people are prosecuted and must flee in order to save themselves and their families. As you can imagine, this project requires a lot of research, and even though in these days we can get a lot of information from the internet, but nothing is as valuable as a first hand story and opinion on this matter. I, Edi Branna and my classmate Jackson Gardner are a part of the group that is focusing on Georgia and persecution of Meskhetian Turks. We would be honored if you could help us understand the situation of your countries and maybe share some stories with us.

Thank you,

Edi Branna Jackson Gardner

Here are the questions we are interested in asking. Please mark those which are too personal or painful to answer and they will be eliminated.

1. What is your full name? How old are you?

2. What region of Georgia did you live in?

3. How was your childhood? (Memories of how things were politically, more freedom, less freedom, more/less relaxed etc.)

4. Do you have any siblings? What are their names? How is your relationship with them? Are you still in contact? If yes, were they taking care of you or you of them? Did you ever feel responsible for what they did and how they ended up?

5. Are your parents still alive? How old are they? Did they move to US with you?

6. How did you get chosen to go to US? (The process, any applications? How long did it take, what did you have to do to get a visa etc)

7. When you left, what was the political situation in the country (war, fear, persecution…)? Have you had a certain personal experience that has affected you for the future/that stands out in your mind?

8. Did you have any personal relationships (girlfriend) in Georgia? How did things like this work among teenagers?

9. Were there refugee camps? Have you lived in one? If yes, what were the conditions? (Sleep, food, water, hygiene, forms of entertainment etc)

10. What was the thing you feared the most during your childhood?

11. How old were you when you left Georgia? Did you travel alone? What was your experience on the plane?

12. Was there anyone waiting for you at the airport? How did they seem? Were they nice?

13. What was your first impression of Salt Lake City as you were driving from the airport?

14. Have you heard anything about Salt Lake City before you came? Did you believe in it?

15. What are the major things that struck you in the US (hygiene, traditions, habits, food etc)

16. Where are you staying now? How has life been since you came here? What has changed? Have you changed?

17. Was there a thing or a concept you had difficulties with adapting to? What was it?

18. Do you work/go to school? How was your first day at work/school? Were the people nice?

19. What are your plans or hopes for the future (academics, carreer, and personal goals)?

Thank you, as I said, you might eliminate any of these questions. Also, there are different forms of interview you can choose from. We would like to bring an mp3 recorder and record the interview, which we would post on our Wiki site. If you are not comfortable with it, we could just or your voice and then transform it into written form which we would post. If you are comfortable, we could maybe take pictures together to show the co-operation. We have also been thinking about videotaping the interview and posting that on the website, but we might not have a video camera. Anyways, please let us know which questions you would like to ignore and also what form/s of the interview you would be comfortable with.

Both Jackson and I are looking forward to meeting you on Wednesday,

Edi Branna Jackson Gardner

P.S. The Wiki is far from done, but you can check it out at refugee.wikispaces.com