The Idil Yaveroglu Interview

Could you tell me about what made you decide to immigrate to the US? If it wasn’t your choice could you explain some of the circumstances and/or challenges you faced in your home country which led you to move here?

"When I first moved to the US, I had not really planned to stay here. I came here to get my PhD in Marketing and arrived on a J-1 student visa. A few years into my PhD program, my husband and I got lucky and somehow won the green card lottery through the diversity visa lottery program. Getting a green card made it much easier for us to stay. When I graduated in 2002, I had much better job prospects here than in Turkey. My husband was also working here, and we had already built a life here, so it wasn’t a difficult decision to stay here." What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in the first 2 years of you moving into the US?

"When I first arrived in Atlanta, I was really very lucky because I was immediately surrounded by a great people. I had great roommates and my now husband fiancée was already here and they all helped me tremendously with navigating life in Atlanta. Despite my relatively easy transition, I remember having trouble with the language at first. Not really with English, but more with the southern accent. I remember constantly asking people to “say things more slowly”. I was also on a very tight budget and really tried to get by with the $1000 stipend I was receiving as a doctoral student." What are some of the greatest cultural differences you observed between your home country and the US?

"I think one of the very easily observable differences is the much greater diversity that exists in the US. People really come from all over the world and cultural diversity is generally really celebrated. I remember people showing great interest in who I was and where I came from when I fist arrived. " "I think there are other differences as well. I generally find life a little lonelier in the US. People are very busy with their lives and are more concerned about their individual achievements. Turkey on the other hand, is a much more collectivist country. Group achievement is more important than individual achievement. Socializing is part of everyday life, and people are very open to stopping by a neighbor’s house announced. Gatherings are more spontaneous. In the US, socializing requires planning and people usually plan a few weeks ahead."

We know that The United States has more immigrants than any other country in the world. What is your one big piece of advice you’d like to give to immigrants?

"I think as an immigrant, you should try to learn the language and the culture before you arrive. If you don’t speak the language, the opportunities presented will be limited and I think you will have a harder time making meaningful connections. I would advise any immigrant to spend the time and effort to learn the language. " As a professor in University of Maryland, what advice would you like to give to immigrant and/or foreign students with lesser knowledge on the American college system applying to your university?

"I think it is important for international students to put themselves out there and immerse themselves in the US culture. I see many international students only interacting with students from their home country. I think they will benefit a lot more from the experience if they make an effort to reach out to others as uncomfortable as it may be in the beginning. "

What are some ways immigrants and/or foreign people can utilize their heritage for their own benefit?

"I think in the US, cultural heritage is generally celebrated, especially in colleges. Learning about other cultures lets you have more meaningful interactions with those around you. You're building respect and empathy for other people around you. I think immigrants should remain connected to their roots and celebrate their heritage but also be willing to learn and interact with others. " What are some ways immigrants and/or foreign people can utilize their heritage for the benefit of the entire workplace, school campus etc.?

"I think immigrants in general feel a pressure to work harder than anybody else to prove themselves in the workplace. There is a greater sense of having more to lose as an immigrant so I think by hiring an immigrant you may be hiring someone who is willing to give his/her all for the job. I think an inclusive work culture also makes employees feel true to themselves. When someone feels seen, heard and celebrated, they will also be more productive. " From your perspective, what is the biggest problem immigrants in the US face? Why?

"I think immigrants face many challenges. The first big hurdle they must overcome is likely the language barrier. If one cannot speak the language, adapting is much harder. Imagine arriving in a country where you don’t speak the language and trying to find a job, make friends, signing up for various services, and running simple errands like buying food, - it is hard!" "I think another important problem they are having to deal with is also access to healthcare. Because many immigrants work for lower income jobs that don’t include healthcare coverage, they are less likely to have employer sponsored coverage."