Cindy Schaarschmidt, originally from Goerlitz, Germany, initially came to the U.S. on a one-year scholarship. After living in Chicago and Philadelphia, she now calls Tacoma home. In this interview, she discusses her East German upbringing, immigration journey, and involvement in the Tacoma community. ------------------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This video was filmed by Gray Media Productions. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates.

Syed came to the US to study but wound up living here instead. He describes being driven by curiosity of Americans and what he has found after exploring that curiosity.

Qudsia Khan came to the United States as a foreign medical graduate from Pakistan. Here, she shares her story of becoming a physician in the US, learning a new culture, raising a family, and building a community in Tacoma. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This video was filmed by Gray Media Productions. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates.

Marisela Fleites-Lear was born in Cuba and came to the US to marry her American fiancée. As an islander, we learn of the importance to her of living by the water, the challenges of navigating cultural clues, and how welcoming she found Tacoma to be from Day One. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This video was filmed by Gray Media Productions. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates.

Ann Evans grew up in County Roscommon, Ireland, and came to Tacoma via New York, Peru, and then Seattle. She and her husband were successful shopkeepers who found Tacoma a beautiful place to live and raise their family. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This video was filmed by Gray Media Productions. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates.

Iullia Didkivska immigrated to Tacoma from Ukraine in 2022, after her country was invaded by Russia. Here she describes her new life in Tacoma, and ways in which she seeks to give back to the local community. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This video was filmed by Gray Media Productions. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates.

Andreas Udbye initially came to Tacoma from Norway on a one-year scholarship to Pacific Lutheran University. After traveling for over 20 years between Norway and the states, he decided to settle in Tacoma and become a US citizen. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This video was filmed by Gray Media Productions. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates.

Lin Zhou came to the United States as an ESL student. In this interview she describes how she was able to eventually work her way to becoming the President of Bates Technical College. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates.

Zahid was born in Pakistan. He discusses his service in the U.S. military and the different challenges that Muslim immigrants have faced in this country. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates. Videos were filmed by John Hargis and edited by Jerell Andres.

Mauricio was born in Ecuador and is a long-term local artist. He describes his ties to Ecuador, his life in Tacoma and his artistic process. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates. These videos were filmed by John Hargis and edited by Jerell Andres.

Etga immigrated from Turkey and is a professor at the University of Washington-Tacoma.  In this interview he discusses challenges Muslims face in the post 9/11 environment. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates. These videos were filmed by John Hargis and edited by Jerell Andres.

Mariam immigrated from the Republic of Georgia following the breakup of the Soviet Union.  Here she discusses the life she has created for herself in Tacoma. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates. These videos were filmed by John Hargis and edited by Jerell Andres.

Gadine immigrated from Rwanda to pursue an education.  In Tacoma she has worked in the health care sector and sang in Tacoma Refugee choir. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates. These videos were filmed by John Hargis and edited by Jerell Andres.

Kerry, who is originally from Trinidad, relocated to the United States to be with his wife. After moving to Tacoma, he embarked on new career as a nurse, which included helping with the COVID crisis. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates.

Sok-Khieng came to the United States as a refugee from the Cambodian genocide in the 1970s. Hear her story of adjusting to life in her new country and establishing a successful career as Tacoma attorney. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates.

Reshma David is an immigrant from India who became a beloved member of her community in North Tacoma before visa problems forced her to move to Canada. Hear her story. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates.

Leon Khalsa-Maulen immigrated to the United States from Germany as a teenager before moving to Tacoma to take a job teaching psychology at Pierce College. Hear the story of his journey towards becoming an American citizen. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates.

Maurice Lekea came to the United States as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Hear his description of how he made a new life for himself in Tacoma, including his participation in the Tacoma Refugee Choir. ------------------------- This interview is part of The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project, an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of Tacoma's incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of the community. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants make to our city. This project is funded in part by a grant from Tacoma Creates.