DEPARTED FROM
Chennai, India
ARRIVED IN
Akron, Ohio
YEAR
1986
AGE
55
NOW LIVES IN
Marietta, Georgia
TRANSCRIPT
My name is Vijaya Subramaniam. I came here in 1986. I am eighty [laughs]... November, I'll be eighty-four.
I came with my youngest daughter. She got admission in Akron, Ohio. So, I came with her on a tourist visa. My son was here in Ohio, so I came and stayed with him for six months. And then he extended my trip another six months and by the time... that time I went to India to see my older daughter, and then I came back after one year or something. By that time he got me the Green Card and I stayed here forever [laughs].
I was surprised because I am used to living in India for fifty-five years. The first day seeing America it was a thrill. Everything is new and so exciting. And when I visit India I feel like staying there also, but now I am getting to the age where it's a big confusing to stay here or go back to India, so I am in a bit of confusion. Both of my children are here. My son and my youngest daughter are here. So they say "we are here, so you stay here... we both are here, so you stay here." My oldest daughter is in India, Bangalore. She says "come and stay with me." I'm a bit confused, but better to be here, I think, for all the medical benefits and everything, I think. I'd better stay here, sometimes I feel like. Every once in a year I go to India and come back, to visit my daughter, my brothers, sisters. I feel happy there also.
