Interview with Melanie Munier
Introduction:
I interviewed Melanie Munier for information on her experience being an immigrant in the United States. Ms. Munier is a French professor at James Madison University and has taught here for many years. In the interview, I asked Ms. Munier several questions pertaining to her life before she immigrated as well as her life here. It was very interesting to hear about her unique experience with moving and integrating into American life.
Life Before Migration:
Ms. Munier grew up in a small town in France and didn’t really travel much until highschool. While in highschool, she studied abroad in Sweden for several months. She later went to college to become a journalist and graduated in 2007. This is around the time she met the man she would soon marry. She married an American man and had visited the states multiple times to see family and attractions. Together they would later live in Normandy where their son was born. Soon after that Ms. Munier’s husband found a job in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Life In America:
Once in America, Ms. Munier’s husband went to work and most days she would find herself taking care of her son at home with very few friends or things to fill her time. She decided to fix this by reaching out to see if there were other French people in her area. She discovered many small communities composed of immigrants and their friends and families, each with a certain demographic. The French community was notably small, but she had a great opportunity to meet people and make friends in the form of a new job. Ms. Munier reached out to the head of James Madison University’s French department, and being a native French speaker, she was offered a position to teach a class. Ms. Munier grew to love Harrisonburg and her community of friends and colleagues. After some time living here, Ms. Munier and her husband got a divorce. Ms. Munier decided it was best to stay in America due to her son and ex-husband living here, her new life and friends, and her new career.
Immigration Process:
Ms. Munier described her time dealing with the immigration process as difficult, but also stated that it could have been much worse. Before applying for a green-card, Ms. Munier and her ex-husband had been married for several years and proving their relationship as real was more tedious than challenging. Ms. Munier explained that because her and her ex-husband were fluent in English the process was still hard, but much easier than if one or both couldn’t speak English. Ms. Munier recounted her experience at an immigration center in D.C. and how brutal the wait was. Ms. Munier had an appointment at 10:00am, so she showed up around 9:55am and was confronted with a terribly long line. Because she had an appointment, she assumed that she wouldn’t need to wait in a line. Unfortunately, the line was for those with appointments. While in line, she and over a hundred people stood outside in the scorching sunlight. Many people were not prepared to wait outside for a long duration and didn’t have water or shade to protect them from the heat. Ms. Munier said she even saw a few people faint. The people who worked at the immigration center and organized the line were harsh and rude to those in line. They would only shout orders in English, so many couldn’t even understand what the people in line were met to do. Ms. Munier is a permanent resident of the United States and is unsure if she will apply for citizenship. She views herself as French over American and doesn’t keep up with American politics as much as she does French and European politics. One reason she doesn’t plan on becoming a full citizen is because she isn’t quite sure how she feels about voting in American elections. But only time will tell.
Life In America Versus French:
There are many differences that American life had that Ms. Munier noted. One big difference was the schooling systems. Ms. Munier compared her experience in school to her sons experience here. She stated that while in elementary school, her school had a chef who would go to the grocery every day to buy fresh ingredients. The chef didn’t have a set recipe or lunch schedule, they just cooked whatever they wanted to in accordance with the ingredients they bought that day. Her son’s school lunches are usually much less healthy and faulter in comparison. One of the big differences that drew Ms. Munier to stay in America was just how friendly and nice the people are. She said that in France people are more cold and keep to themselves. They don’t want to bother others or smile at strangers. Despite the disconnect, one American influence is heavily ingrained in French customs. Ms. Munier said that American film and T.V. shows were number one in France, even over French entertainment. Ms. Munier learned a lot of English from watching the show Friends.
Analysis:
Ms. Munier’s story shed light on immigration and life inside and outside of America. One of the key points that we picked up on was the fact that although her experience trying to move here and assimilate was difficult, she had many advantages compared to other immigrants. Just a couple of these advantages were that she had family here through her ex-husband, she could speak English, she is caucasian, and they were able to get a lawyer to help with the whole process. It seems that the more similar a person is, the more welcome they are. Immigrants from many European countries are far more welcomed in the United States than other places. Ms. Munier explained her thoughts and perception of American life before coming here. She, like many others who enjoy American T.V., imagined the big, fast cities and the promise of opportunity and growth one can have. Ms. Munier’s case is very different than other immigrants. Many immigrants come to America, legally or illegally, and have to work tremendously hard in order to provide for their families and give their children the opportunity to have the life the parents could only dream of.
Conclusion:
Ms.Munier’s story of her migration from France to America contains an important lesson. Depending on who you are, who you know, your level of education, or the color of your skin, there are many different lives one can live in America. In Ms. Munier’s case, she was very welcomed to here. She had her setbacks and struggles, and she had revelations and triumphs. However, many aren’t quite as fortunate. There are simply some factors beyond a persons control that will make their experience significantly harder. The perception and attitude of immigrants is ingrained in American society. It would be fantastic if everyone had a similar experience, but because of this attitude some people have to try even harder and face incredible adversity to get ahead. One of the only aids for immigrants are the communities that help newcomers. In Harrisonburg there is a diverse variety of cultures and ethnicities. The community of immigrants and families are what is keeping the American dream alive. Without the welcome and support of these groups, the challenge for immigrants would increase exponentially.
Michael Steinbach 0:08
What’s your name?
Melanie Munier 0:09
My name is Melanie Alexandra Munier. I’m from France. I was born in France in 1985. Born and raised in France.
Michael Steinbach 0:19
Tell me about your travel history.
Melanie Munier 0:21
Yeah, so I was I’m from France, the region is called Lavon. And I’m from a small town called epi now, when I grew up, I did not travel very much until I went to high school and I did a study abroad program in Sweden for a few weeks, few months, actually. And then when I was 21, right after I graduated from college, so 2007, I met my now ex husband was American. So with him, we traveled to the United States. That was my first time going to the US in 2007. He was from he’s from Virginia Beach, Virginia. So we used to come here twice a year. I’m gonna say like summertime and Christmas break to visit his family. So mostly Virginia Beach and northeast, we went to the big cities. We are Washington, DC. Philadelphia. Outerbanks, you know, east coast mostly.
Michael Steinbach 1:25
What was your favorite place to visit?
Melanie Munier 1:26
Well, York is very impressive comng from from France. Coming from a small town in France. That was a big wow. Yeah, yeah, it was pretty cool.
Michael Steinbach 1:41
What is your favorite place here and in France
Melanie Munier 1:45
Ooo, In France, I lived in Lubbock to special place like my son was born in Normandy. So that place is very special in my heart. I live for three years in Normandy. And I love it because the food is awesome. There’s a lot of history there. D Day beaches and all that I’m a big fan of history. So it all the museums and tours and visited the American Cemetery the beaches, so that was pretty cool. Yeah, like I said, foodies are so great weather not so much. I also lived for three years in cognac in France, that’s where they make the cognac and that’s definitly my favorite place to live in France. The US I feel like I haven’t. I’ve been living here for six years now. I haven’t seen a lot yet, its on my list to start traveling. And living in Harrisonburg, he looks like my, my hometown. It’s a small town in a valley with mountains. I love the mountains, hiking and skiing. The winters are pretty happy where I am right now.
Michael Steinbach 2:56
Have you always wanted to live in the US?
Melanie Munier 2:59
No, not at all. No, I just kind of happen to meet fall in love and marry an American citizen. And then he found a job here in Harrisonburg, so I followed him. So that was a big surprise. But that’s you know, what life is about. You don’t make plans where you make plans and like, make other plans for you. Yeah, I wanted to be a journalist in France. I started that and then met someone from here followed them. Then I got divorced, but I really like it here. So I decided to stay just kind of like my job met great friends and so so a good place to raise a family have a family have kids. And so when you’re divorced, you don’t want to be in France and my son’s that in America. It’s good to have your parents on the same continent. So those are the planning of it.
Michael Steinbach 3:52
What kind of citizenship you have here?
Melanie Munier 3:55
I’m French citizen and I have a green card that I had through my marriage. So we’d have to renew that in 2027 Maybe I could ask for American Citizenship Now after living here for five years you can ask for it but I don’t know if I feel American I’m happy with a green card nothing against Americans but feels weird I feel fine just feel
Michael Steinbach 4:23
Can you tell me about your home life growing up in France
Melanie Munier 4:28
to was a small town village especially compared to the American size cities it’s a small town and a very happy childhood. Going to school like now have standards in school in the US so like to compare the school systems was Yeah, where I’m going but yeah. Like the food that in my my school, we had a chef that would go to the market every morning. and didn’t have a lunch menu for the kids you would just go to the market right what’s on sale today? Fresh what looks good. And then cook that and I see what my son is eating schools like a corndog and cheese, burger cheese because cheese something. Guess I miss the French food. And yeah, small small town life or you know, everybody, industry neighborhood life. I remember going to my friend’s house like all day to run around the neighborhood. I don’t feel like you can do that here or today, this place but totally different.
Michael Steinbach 5:44
What is your what was when you first moved here and what currently is your favorite part of American culture that’s different from French culture.
Melanie Munier 5:56
Like that if you. If you’re like a hard worker, I feel like you have more opportunities to get a good job and have a good career. You just have to be a well not just if you’re a hard worker, you have more opportunities than your friends. I was pretty excited about that. I could not be teaching in university in France. I need a PhD I guess. Here with the Masters, I can have a really good job here in college. So I was pretty excited about that. Yes, what’s different? Sorry, again, what
Michael Steinbach 6:32
are just like what was your first thing that made you want to come here so that yeah, like right now? The question, I guess, entertainment or
Melanie Munier 6:43
anything here was, again, going from a small town, something here was big, like, you know, big city, big cars and fast and a lot of no more entertainment. He has more life to the cities that have been in our scene in Harrisonburg. It’s not that exciting. But there’s more things to do than where I’m from. I guess but yeah, I thought everything was big. And I was surprised by all the fast food options as to haven’t tried all of them. And i don;t know that i will
Michael Steinbach 7:19
what was your first impression of the US?
Melanie Munier 7:23
Yeah, like first big. Yeah, it was really, I guess, talked about food a lot.
But yeah, it was
Michael Steinbach 7:33
Were the people very different.
Melanie Munier 7:35
Um, yes. I feel like people here are friendlier. I don’t know if it’s a Harrisonburg or Virginia thing but I thought the people were very welcoming. Very nice, friendly, polite. At JMU here people hold doors and coming from fans were more like, call people we don’t really smile. I feel like people were nicer many want to stay. Here it’s okay to ask someone. Okay, can I pet your dog? And I don’t know in France, it would be super weird. We don’t do that. We don’t talk to each other. We don’t smile to each other. Yeah.
Michael Steinbach 8:15
I was going to ask if you felt welcome here initially. And how about now?
Melanie Munier 8:20
Yeah. So yes, it’s really in Harrisonburg, because there’s a diversity. There’s a lot of immigrants of people from all over the world. So my first company that’s not related, but my first reaction when I moved here, so I was with a baby who was not even one year old. I didn’t have my green card because it takes a while so I was not able to work. I was alone. My husband was working a lot. It was kind of stuck at home with a baby and not able to work and didn’t know any friends or family members. So my first reaction was to try to find some French people that kind of French community or European community. I was speaking English but not not really well. So first, I’m going to keep people from Europe. And it’s it’s cool about Harrisonburg that there’s communities from you know, Russian committees are Italian people, French community, it’s small, like maybe 12 People coming from France, but I like the diversity in Harrisonburg. Now. I’m friends with like an American, and working and social life. But it was cool when you come from a different country to meet people from Europe. And you said today, what makes me want to stay or
Michael Steinbach 9:39
Yeah, or just Has anything changed over the past couple of years?
Melanie Munier 9:43
Yes, well, not a couple of years but working I love my job. So working made me want to stay and and I have a son who’s seven and so I’m friends with the moms in school and I have American friends and i feel almost like a local
Michael Steinbach 10:07
When you first came did you experience culture shock?
Melanie Munier 10:12
Yes a little like daily life things like you know going to the grocery store was very confusing everything is different you know you’re used to getting your groceries I knew the stores your friends are crying How do I find the projects and it looks a little different to them you have more junk junk food options in France like our hearts I like finding good quality projects or depends now I can find some stores but it’s also very expensive Yeah, but I think coming from Europe to the US it’s not a huge cultural shock but just a few things daily life tracking in the US. I used to drive a small car with a stick and not a big car that’s automatic and I love it but was a little bit of
Michael Steinbach 11:08
before you came here was there any like entertainment or like media that you saw that made you like have a maybe a different perspective on American life before you came here?
Melanie Munier 11:21
Yes, I think we watch a lot of American movies in France and TV shows and in France produces some movies of course and TV shows which is still American shows and movies are number one in France I grew up watching American movies not good ones but comes in my head but like American Pie or those those movies and so you see the the life in high school college and I want to see for myself if it’s if it’s the same I was also being MLB basketball fans I grew up watching NBA games a lot that night sport that I can go to DC it’s not that far and sometimes watch the wizards and experienced realizes that’s pretty cool. I also learned English myself watching Friends, its kind of old now but friends with subtitles that’s how I learn English and I still watch mostly American shows. Yeah
Michael Steinbach 12:28
Have you ever experienced discrimination here
Melanie Munier 12:30
no not to be honest at all if it’s because white are from Europe or educated I never really felt that I mean maybe one time when I have to go to DC for my my green card at first I could work visa for six months and then you renew it and then a green card so I had to go to the I shouldn’t always call like the immigration office outside of DC felt the discrimination but not really towards Me like we have an appointment for the green card for example at 10am So I showed up at 9:55 and there was a huge huge line outside like 200 people so I went to the front of the line and thought I’m not like them, I have an appointment I thought it was different and all of them have an appointment so you’re going to back up the line. And you wait and that was like in June in the sun I saw it a couple of people passing out without water or shade they’re just like put you outside on the parking lot and make you wait for hours and they’re not super nice to the people that don’t speak English because they yell orders in English. And I speak English with some people don’t some people come with like a family member to help them that was very shocked by the way they treat people in that building. That was okay because I speak English and they will not be yelling at me, but so it’s not really towards me.
Michael Steinbach 14:13
So how do you identify?
Melanie Munier 14:18
American resident permanent resident, but yeah, like I said, I still feel French. I don’t know that my change will be when they’re asked for American citizenship. But I don’t feel like I have a right to vote. I mean, I do I can get it but it feels weird, like voting the American elections and I don’t feel like I know enough. I still, I guess follow more European politics and American and I hear this. I know what’s going on here but it’s not my country, but it’s kind of been they’ve been here for six years now. So I should maybe be more involved.
Michael Steinbach 15:02
What was the immigration process Like?
Melanie Munier 15:06
Yeah, it’s it’s hard. Even if you’re smart, educated to speak English, it’s hard. And my ex husband helped me but it was too bit too hard. So we hired a lawyer. I think the work visa was pretty easy. But getting a green card, even if you’re married, it’s pretty hard. So we got a lawyer that was expensive. few thousand dollars. And that was way easier. And I think at the time, when I got the green card, I was married. We were married for eight years. And you still have to prove that you’re married, like, bring pictures, and you’re like interviews and in DC, and they ask you a question to make sure it’s like a real marriage, because I’m sure they experienced sometimes cases with fake marriages for people that need paperwork. Yeah, that was a hard thing. I was in a room and my ex husband in another room, and they asked me a question like, What is the color of your shower curtain? yellow, white, and then asked my husband, same thing to make sure that we live together? What is the color of his toothbrush? And like silly questions like that, or they ask us to bring pictures. And they asked me like, who’s on the picture on his family side, it’s same for him. We were married for eight years have the baby , it’s real, but you still have to prove it. And you know, again, both of us could speak in English and have a lawyer. So sometimes I wonder how other people can go through that process. And they don’t make it easy for you, not super nice or polite. But
Michael Steinbach 16:50
have you ever worried about deportation? Is that anything you’re talking about?
Melanie Munier 16:57
No, not exactly. But in when I asked for the green card, it takes a few months before you actually get it in the mailbox, three or four months, maybe waiting for the Green card. And the rule is when you wait for the Green card, you’re not allowed to exit the country, or you won’t be able to go back. So that’s the only thing. I think my grandmother died within those four months. And I like to go to friends and be there for my family. But I couldn’t. There was yeah, no deportation, but I was kind of stuck here for months otherwise would have been really hard to come back. Maybe not able to. You have to go by the rules.
Michael Steinbach 17:38
What kind of advice would you give to someone thinking of coming here from france?
Melanie Munier 17:46
Well known the language because Americans don’t really speak other languages than English. I don’t know if you can get, you know, don’t come here and try to find for a job. It would be nice to have a job before you come here or an internship or scholarship, college. plan that I feel like just coming here and then look for opportunities is maybe maybe hard. I was super lucky to find that job at JMU. I just email the head of the French department not even looking for a job at the time just looking for friends. French people like Hey, I just moved here from friends. Do you know there’s French people around and she’s like, Hey, I see a resume that word teacher in French can you teach a cloass , like Okay, it was not looking for a job. I was pretty lucky. just happen. But yeah, maybe learn the language and find a job first.
Michael Steinbach 18:49
Is there anything you’d like to add that we haven’t covered?
Melanie Munier 19:01
No, not right now. No. All right. Thank you very much.
Yeah. Something about americans. Cant think of it. Yeah if It comes back. Do you think you have enough?
Michael Steinbach 19:17
Yeah, I think so.
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