The following information was provided by Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group:
Have you ever lived in a foreign country? Many of us have visited other countries for work or pleasure, but few have lived for a year or more in a country whose culture is different from our own. For most of us, going to another country and returning home at a time of our convenience has been a choice, not a necessity. If you were ever in a country very different from your own, do you remember the feelings of disorientation, and even culture shock?
Watertown is rich in immigrants from many countries, with compelling stories of how and why they came to settle here. Project Literacy and the Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group have organized an immigrant story-sharing event on Saturday, May 6 at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Light lunch from 11:30-12 will be followed by stories from Haitian, Syrian, Iranian, Guatemalan, and Vietnamese immigrants. Reasons for leaving their home countries range from marriage to fleeing gang violence; but all required leaving loved ones and familiar customs behind, assimilating to a new culture, and embracing new friends in the United States. Come hear stories from our immigrant neighbors, hear their different perspectives on our country, and celebrate our diverse community!
“Immigrant Stories” at Watertown Free Public Library on Saturday, May 6, 11:30-1:30
I work at Watertown High School and during Covid I thought about all the students I have worked. They come from over 40 different countries and speak over 50 languages.
They are all fine students with plans for college and life after high school. You