Focus: Explore your parent’s birthplace, childhood, family tree, and ancestral roots.
Questions
DECISION TO MOVE
What prompted your decision to migrate or move to a new place, either within Vietnam or abroad?
What were the main factors or events that led to your decision to move?
How did you feel about leaving your familiar surroundings?
Did you have any specific goals or hopes for your new life in the new place?
FIRST FEELINGS
Can you describe your initial feelings and thoughts during your first days in the new place?
What were your first impressions of the new community and environment?
How did you cope with the feelings of unfamiliarity or homesickness?
Were there any particular experiences or interactions that stood out to you during your early days?
ROUTINE
How did you go about establishing a new home and routine in the new place?
What steps did you take to make your new place feel like home?
How did you establish a new daily routine, and how did it differ from your previous life?
What challenges did you face in setting up your new home and life?
BARRIERS
What strategies or resources did you use to overcome language or cultural barriers?
How did you approach learning a new language or adapting to new cultural norms?
Were there any community resources, classes, or individuals that helped you in this process?
Can you share a particular challenge or success story related to overcoming language and cultural barriers?
SUPPORT
How did you go about building a support network or community in your new place?
What steps did you take to meet new people and form friendships or connections?
How important was it to find a community of people with a shared background or experiences?
Were there any organisations, groups, or activities that helped you feel more connected?
FAMILY
How did the move impact your family dynamics or relationships?
How did your family members cope with the move and the changes it brought?
Were there any particular challenges or positive developments in your family relationships as a result of the move?
How did you support each other during the transition period?
CHALLENGES
What were the most significant challenges you faced during the initial period of settling in the new place?
Can you describe the biggest obstacles or difficulties you encountered?
How did you address or overcome these challenges?
What lessons did you learn from dealing with these challenges?
CULTURAL CONTINUITY
How did you maintain connections with your culture and heritage while adapting to the new environment?
Were there specific customs, traditions, or practices you continued to observe?
How did you balance the preservation of your cultural identity with the integration into the new culture?
Were there any cultural or community events that helped you stay connected to your roots?
CAREER
What impact did the move have on your career or professional life?
How did you approach finding employment or continuing your career in the new place?
Were there any particular challenges or opportunities you encountered in your professional life as a result of the move?
How did you adapt your skills or qualifications to fit the new job market or work environment?
MOMENT OF SUCCESS
Can you talk about a moment or experience that made you feel like you had successfully established a new life in the new place?
What event or realisation signified that you were settling in or feeling more at home?
How did this moment impact your feelings about the move and the future?
Were there any specific achievements or milestones that contributed to this sense of establishment?
EDUCATION
How did the education and integration of the children influence your family’s experience of setting new roots?
How did your children adapt to the new school system, language, or friends?
Were there any particular challenges or successes you observed in the children’s integration process?
How were the children’s education and social integration supported in the new place?
FINANCES
How did you navigate financial management and stability after moving to a new place?
What strategies did you employ to manage your finances during the transition?
Were there any specific financial challenges or opportunities you encountered?
How important was financial planning in your overall adjustment to the new environment?
FAMILY STORIES
Can you share how you preserved and shared your family stories and history with the new community or your children?
What methods or traditions did you use to keep your family stories and history alive?
How did you ensure that these stories were passed down or shared with others in your new community or your children?
What significance do you believe these family stories hold in maintaining a sense of identity and continuity?
CUISINE
What role did food and cooking play in your adaptation and connection to both your old and new cultures?
How did you maintain traditional cooking and food customs in your new environment?
Were there any new food experiences or culinary fusions that became significant for you?
How did food serve as a bridge between your old and new cultures?
LONELINESS
How did you cope with and overcome feelings of isolation or loneliness in the initial period after moving?
What strategies or activities helped you combat feelings of isolation?
Were there any community services, support groups, or resources that you found particularly helpful?
How did your approach to building connections and a support network evolve over time?
ADAPTATION
Can you describe the process of adapting your lifestyle and habits to fit into the new place?
What changes did you make in your daily life, routines, or habits after moving?
How did these changes reflect your adaptation to the new environment and culture?
Were there any particular lifestyle changes that you found challenging or particularly rewarding?
FRESH PERSPECTIVES
How did the experience of migration influence your perspective on global issues, diversity, and multiculturalism?
How did your personal journey shape your views on cultural exchange, diversity, and global connectedness?
What lessons or insights have you gained about living in a multicultural society?
How do you approach interactions with people from diverse backgrounds based on your migration experience?
ADVICE
What advice would you give to others who are considering or in the process of moving to a new place?
Based on your experience, what guidance would you offer to help others prepare for and adapt to a move?
Are there any specific resources, strategies, or mindsets you found essential during your transition?
What encouragement or words of wisdom would you share with those about to embark on a similar journey?
DIGNITY
How did you ensure that your personal values, beliefs, and traditions were respected and integrated into your new life?
What steps did you take to maintain your personal values and traditions in the new environment?
How did you navigate any differences or conflicts between your values and the new culture?
What importance do you place on preserving personal values and traditions while being open to a new culture?
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Can you discuss the importance of community involvement or civic engagement in your experience of setting new roots?
How did you become involved or engaged in your new community?
What role did civic participation or community involvement play in your adaptation and sense of belonging?
Are there any specific community initiatives, organisations, or activities that you found particularly impactful?
HEALTHCARE
How did you navigate the healthcare system or access medical services after moving to a new place?
What challenges or differences did you encounter in accessing healthcare in the new place?
How did you familiarise yourself with and navigate the healthcare system or services?
What advice or insights do you have about ensuring health and well-being in a new environment?
LOCAL CELEBRATIONS
Can you talk about your experience with local customs, holidays, or celebrations in your new place?
How did you learn about and participate in local customs or celebrations?
Were there any particular local customs or holidays that you found meaningful or enjoyable?
How did participating in these local traditions contribute to your sense of community and cultural understanding?
HOBBIES
How did the move impact your personal hobbies, interests, or recreational activities?
Were you able to continue your hobbies or interests in the new place, or did you discover new ones?
How do your recreational activities reflect your adaptation to or integration with the new culture?
What significance do you believe hobbies and interests hold in the process of setting new roots and finding personal fulfilment?
CLIMATE
Can you discuss how you addressed and adapted to differences in climate, geography, or living conditions in your new place?
What were the most significant environmental differences you experienced after moving?
How did you adapt your lifestyle, activities, or home to fit the new climate or geography?
Were there any particular adjustments or adaptations that you found challenging or interesting?
IDENTITY
What impact did the move have on your sense of identity, and how did you navigate the process of integrating multiple cultural identities?
How did your sense of self or cultural identity evolve after moving to a new place?
How do you balance or integrate aspects of your original culture with the new culture in your personal identity?
What insights or experiences can you share about living with and embracing multiple cultural identities?
GROWTH
How did you approach finding or creating opportunities for personal or professional growth in the new place?
What steps did you take to pursue personal development or career advancement after moving?
Were there any particular challenges or opportunities you encountered in this pursuit?
How do you view the relationship between migration, personal growth, and professional development?
CULTURAL HOLIDAYS
Can you share how you preserved and celebrated your own cultural holidays or events in the context of the new place?
What traditional holidays or events do you continue to observe, and how do you celebrate them?
How do you involve your family, friends, or community members in these celebrations?
What importance do these cultural observances hold for you in maintaining a connection to your heritage?
UNCERTAINTY
How did the experience of moving influence your approach to life’s uncertainties or challenges?
What lessons did you learn about coping with change, uncertainty, or adversity as a result of the move?
How has your approach to facing life’s challenges evolved since you settled in the new place?
What advice or insights can you offer about resilience, adaptability, and growth through change?
MENTAL WELLBEING
What strategies or practices did you find helpful in managing stress or maintaining mental well-being during the transition?
How did you cope with the stress, anxiety, or emotional challenges associated with moving?
Were there any particular practices, support systems, or resources that you relied on for mental well-being?
How do you prioritise and nurture your mental health in the context of adaptation and new beginnings?
LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS
Can you talk about your experience with maintaining long-distance relationships with family or friends back home?
How do you stay connected with loved ones who are far away?
What challenges or joys have you encountered in maintaining these long-distance relationships?
How do these relationships contribute to your sense of connectedness and support?
WORK CULTURE
How did you navigate differences in work culture, professional etiquette, or business practices in your new place?
What were the most significant differences you experienced in the workplace or professional environment?
How did you adapt your work habits or communication style to fit the new work culture?
What insights or lessons can you share about professional integration and success in a different cultural context?
MIGRANT GROUPS
Can you discuss any involvement in cultural, expatriate, or migrant organisations or groups and how they supported your transition?
Are there any specific organisations or groups that you became involved with after moving?
How did these groups or communities support you during your transition?
What role do you believe these organisations play in the lives of migrants or newcomers to a new place?
LOCAL FRIENDSHIPS
What role did local friendships or connections play in your adaptation and sense of belonging in the new place?
How did you form friendships or connections with locals or other migrants?
What significance do these relationships hold for your adaptation and sense of community?
How do you cultivate and maintain these local friendships and connections?
IDENTITY VS ADAPTATION
How do you balance the desire to preserve your original cultural identity with the need to integrate and adapt to the new culture?
What strategies or mindsets do you employ to navigate this balance?
How do you negotiate or reconcile any conflicts between your cultural heritage and the new cultural environment?
What insights or advice can you offer about living authentically and harmoniously within multiple cultural contexts?
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
Can you share how you dealt with legal, bureaucratic, or administrative processes related to migration and setting up a new life?
What challenges or obstacles did you encounter in navigating legal or administrative systems?
How did you access information, resources, or support to manage these processes?
What advice or insights do you have about dealing with the bureaucratic aspects of migration and establishing new roots?
CULTURAL SHARING
How did you approach introducing and sharing your culture with people in your new place who may be unfamiliar with it?
What methods or opportunities did you use to share aspects of your culture with others?
How do you respond to curiosity, questions, or misconceptions about your cultural background?
What importance do you place on cultural exchange and sharing as part of your integration process?
IMPACT ON CHILDREN
What impact did the move have on your children's (if applicable) cultural identity, education, and social integration?
How did your children adapt to the new culture, school system, and peer groups?
What role did you play in supporting your children's cultural identity and integration?
What challenges or successes can you share about your children’s experience of growing up between cultures?
VISITING HOME
Can you discuss any experiences of returning to visit home after settling in a new place, and how those visits impacted you?
How do you feel when you visit home after living abroad or in a new place for a significant period?
What observations or reflections do you have about the changes in yourself, your homeland, or your relationship with it?
How do these visits contribute to your understanding of home, identity, and belonging?
THE FUTURE
How do you view the future of your family and yourself in the new place, and what aspirations or plans do you have?
What hopes or goals do you have for your future and your family’s future in the new place?
How do you plan or prepare for the long-term establishment and well-being of your family?
What vision do you have for your integration, contribution, or fulfilment in your new community and environment?
WORSHIP
In relocating, how did you approach finding a new place of worship or spiritual community, and what impact did this have on your faith or spiritual practices?
What criteria did you use to find a new spiritual home that aligned with your beliefs and needs?
How did joining a new place of worship or spiritual group influence your personal or family's spiritual journey?
How has this experience contributed to your sense of belonging or spiritual fulfilment?