GARY PAOLUCCI
10/23/16
Writing 321
Jamie, Johanna, Gary
Interview Log
Caroline Correa
Early Life
· From Columbia
· Grew up with a really strong education in Columbia
o Education was a high standard in her house
· Dad raised her while mom was still going to school
· At the age of 8 her grandparents were murdered
o Caroline and her family had to move around a lot because the cartel would be coming for her parents as well her herself and brother
o The Drug Cartel were after Caroline’s grandfather on her father’s side
§ If you don’t surrender your fields, the Cartel will come after you and your family members, they are extremely violent.
· Her father was murdered when she was only 12, she watched his death unveil
o Caroline had to be extremely strong while her and her brother were left alone for hours on end in the middle of nowhere with no contact with anyone
o Her mother sent Caroline and her brother to live with their grandparents
The Journey
· Coming to a different country was the hardest part
o Didn’t know how to be “normal”
o A lot to adjust to, much safer and less hectic
§ More than just “surviving”
§ She’s never fully safe in her mind
· People and Organizations have helped along the way
o She never considered herself as a refugee until she came here and really learned what a refugee is.
o Boys-and-Girls Club has helped her into who she is today, they were her main resource when she arrived to the U.S
· Not all refugees are treated the same
o It is up to you Caroline says, you have to be persistent from the start
§ Use resources as much as you can
§ Language barrier is the biggest issue in her opinion
· When she works as an interpreter she notices that people who have been here for years know almost no English.
· Caroline forced herself into English culture in order to make it for herself
o She feels different sometimes
§ The things that people worry about and what their priorities are put things in perspective for her
Currently
· Lives in Providence, RI
· Has 2 jobs
o United Way fundraising
o Medical Interpreter for RI Hospital
· Lives alone
o Brother lives in RI
o Doesn’t have a relationship with her mom
§ Doesn’t agree with her mother’s choice to remarry a man who has no respect for woman
· A man who shares some of those beliefs with the people they were fleeing from in their homeland
· Plays for a water polo team in Boston
o Loves anything outdoors
· Works with “Open Arms” Orphanage for mothers and children
· A message to the people helping refugees
o Really learn and understand the language barrier and other differences that refugees have to deal with coming to a new country
· A message to refugees
o Be resourceful
§ Really go out there and know what’s around you
§ Keep going, survive and succeed.