My name is Suman Poddar.
INTERVIEWED BY Indrani Saha x 4

"I consider this my country now, and this is my home."


DEPARTED FROM
Dhaka, Bangladesh

ARRIVED IN
Queens, New York

YEAR
1993

AGE
31

COLLECTED BY
SUMAN PODDAR'S FIRST DAY

TRANSCRIPT

I came here for studies, to do my MBA, and I came into this country in 1993 in the middle of July. My childhood friend picked me up at the airport, and that was the first experience leaving my family behind. Seeing my close friend was a little bit comforting. He took me to his house. The first thing I noticed was that there were a lot less people. The traffic system and everything was so disciplined. The first time I ended up staying with my friend, and for the first three months. Then I moved in with roommates. I did try my first fast food restaurant, probably McDonald’s. We had some coffee and oatmeal. The whole trip was funded by my personal savings and then my family funded me. The overall experience was great, good school and good education system. I did know a little bit about the culture and country itself and that helped a little bit. Since then I finished my schooling and ended up working and became a part of this country. I consider this my country now, and this is my home.


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