Believing that education was surest way to escape a life of poverty, Militza left her home in Panama so that she could attend school in the United States. Today, she holds multiple advanced degrees and is a testimony to the power of learning.
Her story was produced, shot and edited by Dev Bhavsar, a talented young filmmaker who attends Stratford STEM Magnet High School in Nashville, TN.
Mustafa discovered the sting of discrimination after moving from Yemen to the US during his school age years. He didn’t, however, allow those experiences to define him. Despite having to learn English as a young teen, he rose to the top of his graduating class and is now a student at Middle Tennessee State University.
This story was produced by Elizabeth Ethridge, a student at Middle Tennessee State University, as part of a collaboration between students in Middle East Studies and Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers series.
Easter is a major holidays for the Coptic Christians of Egypt. Here in Tennessee, Coptic Egyptians are keeping that tradition alive for future generations.
This story was produced by Miller Goan and Cody Skinner , both students at Middle Tennessee State University, as part of a collaboration between students in Middle East Studies and Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers series.
Sarah Al-Ansari makes paintings that, in her words, “empower the female figure in the Middle East.” As the daughter of an American mother and Middle Eastern father, her work offers a unique perspective on what it means to be female and Middle Eastern.
Her story was produced by Amanda Thornton, a student at Middle Tennessee State University, as part of a collaboration between students in Middle East Studies and Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers series.
As a Kurdish refugee from Iraq, Chimen spent part of her childhood going to school in a Turkish refugee camp. Despite the great loss she and fellow Kurds experienced, Chimen managed to experience joy in the everyday moments of her childhood. Now she is studying to become a teacher and wants to pass her vision of hope to a new generation of young people.
This story was produced by Charity Harris, a student at Middle Tennessee State University, as part of a collaboration between students in Middle East Studies and Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers series.
Hanan was born in Syria but raised in the United States from the time she was a small child. Adapting to life in the US was easy, but retaining her sense of Middle Eastern heritage has been a work in progress.
This story was produced by Caleb Bost, a student at Middle Tennessee State University, as part of a collaboration between students in Middle East Studies and Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers series.
Lala is a Pakistani woman studying Electrical Engineering at Middle Tennessee State University. This alone makes her a pioneer both in the field of Electrical Engineering and Pakistani women’s rights.
Her story was produced by Kelsie Stanfield, a student at Middle Tennessee State University, as part of a collaboration between students in Middle East Studies and Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers series.
As a young woman of Middle Eastern descent, Tala is struggling to balance the lifestyle of her college-age peers with the traditional values of her parents. Her struggle is emblematic of the cultural challenges faced by many first and second generation immigrant youth.
Her story was produced by Paul Moret, a student at Middle Tennessee State University, as part of a collaboration between students in Middle East Studies and Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers series.
Duaa and her family moved to the United States when she was only two years old. When she was 12, her parents decided to move back to Sudan for a time so that she and her siblings could experience their native culture. For Duaa, experiencing both cultures has given her a greater appreciation and respect for cultural diversity.
This story was produced by Duaa Elnasri, a student at Middle Tennessee State University, as part of a collaboration between students in Middle East Studies and Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers series.
Dareen is a Palestinian immigrant who moved to the United States from Jordan when she was a small child. Today she attends Middle Tennessee State University and is pursuing a career in event planning.
This story was produced by Darius Robertson , a student at Middle Tennessee State University, as part of a collaboration between students in Middle East Studies and Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers series.
When Omar came to the United States to attend college, he didn’t expect to stay for 37 years. His entrepreneurial spirit, however, has kept him in business for over two decades. Today, he and his family call Middle Tennessee home.
His story was produced by Dimitrius Brown, a student at Middle Tennessee State University, as part of a collaboration between students in Middle East Studies and Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers series.
When war in Sudan broke out, Olivia and her family relocated to the United States. As refugees, they received housing, employment and language assistance. Her story demonstrates the tremendous lift and hope these services provide refugees.
Her story was produced by Sara Regen, a student at Middle Tennessee State University, as part of a collaboration between students in Middle East Studies and Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers series.
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of producing their own videos. In this video, Patricia fondly recalls what it was like growing up with her older brothers.
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of producing their own videos. In this video, Leticia fondly recalls her childhood in Mexico.
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of producing their own videos. In this video, Cecilia describes the many sacrifices she had to make to escape the cycle of poverty in Mexico.
In this video memoir, Ting shares with her future children the story of how she and her husband met.
Upon arriving in a new country, immigrants are immediately faced with the necessity of learning another language. For Elizabeth and her family, learning English would be critical… to a good meal!
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of producing their own videos. In this video, Cherdchai recalls the joys of growing up in Thailand during simpler times.
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of producing their own videos. In this video, Noom describes what he’s enjoyed most about America during his short stay in the country.
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of producing their own videos. In this video, Insook describes the challenges and necessity of getting a driver’s license in the U.S.
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of producing their own videos. In this video, Alma Rosa recounts the story of her parent’s desperate attempt to make it to the hospital in time for her mother to give birth.
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of producing their own videos. In this video, Shahnaz describes a challenging case she worked as a lawyer in Iran.
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of producing their own video. In this video, Akiko walks us through the lonely and awkward stages of living in a new country. By story’s end, however, Akiko demonstrates a personal transformation that is nothing short of inspiring.
When Raul was six years old his parents moved to the United States, leaving him with his grandparents in El Salvador. Those were tough times, but rejoining his parents nine years later hasn’t been easy either.
Nothing draws young people together like the music and dance of their generation. On the other hand, few things divide parents and teens with equal force. In this video, Ha demonstrates her passion for Hip hop while her dad voices his concern that this type of dancing doesn’t represent their cultural values. It’s a familiar story for many Americans but a new challenge for recent immigrants–many of whom come from very traditional cultures.
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of producing their own videos. In this video, Margarita takes a moment to thank her English as a Second Language teachers for making a difference in her life.
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of producing their own videos. In this video, May Liu describes her first encounter with a Nashville police officer.
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of producing their own videos. In this video, Renviang shares his impression of Nashville, showing that a fresh set of eyes is all it takes to see the beauty all around us.
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of producing their own videos. In this video, Bi compares his home in China to his home in Nashville, TN. His story provides a stark contrast in everything from where people live to how they exercise.
Each year, students of the Belmont Methodist ESL program in Nashville write stories for their annual essay competition. In partnership with Nashville Public Television’s Storytellers project, these students are given the option of turning their stories into movies. In this video, Jeannette recalls the time her son was left alone with a delicious, desert quesadilla. The rest is history.