Interview with Madhu
For a Better Quality Life: My Father’s Journey to America
Introduction
Throughout this semester we dived into all aspects of immigration during class lectures and readings. Many aspects of immigration were brought to light from migration, integration, and membership. For my interview, I decided to interview my father, Madhu Naidu. My father grew up most of his young life in India and decided to come to the United States for a better quality of life for him and his future family. Throughout this interview I learned much about my father’s journey to the United States and his early life when he arrived. He talked about his experiences, like getting a job, the culture shift, and many of the nuances of moving to a different country. As a result of this interview, I’ve gained a much greater appreciation for the journey he had to endure to become an American citizen.
Migration
My father’s immigration story starts in the small city of Ongole, South India, where he was born and went through all of his education. Going to university in India and getting a mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree, this is where he met some of his lifelong friends. During the interview, my father mentions how those friends were essential in his migration due to the fact that some of them came to the United States before him, so he had a blueprint in how to navigate when first arriving. “before me some of my college friends had moved to the US and they provided me the necessary guidance for my move.” After the completion of his education, my father explained how he had to interview with multiple U.S. employers to sponsor him with a work visa called an H1B visa. This would allow him to work anywhere in the United States. He says this was the toughest part in the immigration process because of the job competition and the lengthy time it takes to be approved. ”it’s not like very easy to get the sponsorship as like multiple people try to compete for a single job because everybody, loves to come here, like to this country.” Luckily for my father, he received a job offer in a few months to work in the United States. The employer provided the necessary resources for him to leave his home country. This included the plane ticket and housing when first arriving. My father explains how this was one of the scariest times in his life because he was leaving all his family and friends to start a new life in a completely different country. When asked the main reason for his departure from India, he often references the “quality of life.” “So at that time when I made a determination my main motivation coming to this country is to have a better quality of life.” He also mentions how at the time he was immigrating 24 years ago, the United States was a much more developed and organized country than India, which he was fond of. This, along with job stability, were the two biggest push factors for my father’s immigration.
Integration
Integrating into a new country after living your entire life in another often poses unique challenges to each’s own. My father was no different. Upon arriving in the United States, specifically Detroit, Michigan, being his port of entry, he explained the immediate culture shock he faced. “It was a bit of culture shock in the beginning. Like the Western world is completely different.Compared to India, but i was able to mange it.” From the western lifestyle to the food and also just the “American” culture was just new for him. Although it was a nuance for him, he explains how just in a few months he felt like he was adequately acclimated without any major issues. ”It’s definitely overwhelming in the beginning, but yeah, in a month or so, you can get settled”. Unlike many immigrants, my father was pretty fluent in English at the time of his arrival, so the language barrier was not a major factor for him. But on that same note, he was accustomed to a certain type of English while growing up in India. This was referred to as “British English.” ”American English is different from, British English, the way we say things, pronounce things, certain words are like pronounced certain way” said my father. He mentions how this was the biggest communication challenge for him. Apart from communication, the other integration challenge my father faced when he first arrived was the simple everyday necessities. This included the process of getting his driver’s license, social security number, opening a bank account, and also the currency shift from rupees to dollars. In India the driving regulations are far less strict than in America, the steering wheel is on the opposite side, and the road signs are completely different, “So you have to, get some training like, from a driving school and then, get a license.” The other main thing was the social security number, in which, as he explained, you go to a social security office and “based on your visa status, they will assign you the social security number.” After getting those two identification forms, he was able to acclimate much quicker to the American lifestyle.
Membership
The ultimate goal for many immigrants like my father is to formally become a United States citizen. While working in the United States he applied for a green card, which is a permanent resident status, while being on the H1B visa, and got approved in 2005, five years after initially arriving in the United States. At the time and even now, getting approved in 5 years is very lucky, as my father describes it. He recounts numerous stories about classmates of his that took upwards of 15 years to obtain their green card, and this was mostly “because of the change in policies or sometimes the quota will be over and then people have to just wait until the, quota opens.” Upon getting a green card, he explained the process after that “I have to wait five years for me to apply for a U. S. citizenship.” In 2010, after the 5-year waiting period, he applied to become a US citizen, which he described as a year-long process. “I became a naturalized U. S. citizen in the year 2010 after going through like a year-long process.“ Becoming a US citizen marked an important part of my father’s journey, as he is now able to do the same as an American-born citizen, like voting in political elections. Along with that, the main difference he mentions is how his career path was able to broaden: “Once i became a US citizen,,,i decided to start working for the public sector clients…like DOD, DOT, Department of Education, Department of Veteran Affairs.” Becoming a US citizen allowed him to deviate from solely private sector projects to government and public sector projects, which enhanced his career significantly.
Conclusion
Learning about my father’s immigration story through our interview has not only been an eye-opening experience but also a very prideful one. As a kid born in America, I was blind to much of my family history and roots. Through this I was able to gain insight into how my family, specifically my father, came to America and his journey along the way. From the very beginning of my father’s journey, it is clear he displayed how hard work, determination, and good character can lead to a successful outcome. Ever since I could remember, he has instilled those three characteristics in me and my family, and now it’s clear why he did so. From this experience, I truly believe I will remember my father, Madhu Naidu’s story of immigrating to the United States for the rest of my life and will make sure to pass it along to generations of our family.
Interview With Madhu
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Devarsh: [00:00:00] Hi, this is a digitally recorded interview with Madhu Naidu. The interview was conducted by Devarsh Naidu on Zoom on December 2nd, 2024 at 7 p. m.
Hi Madhu, how are you?
Madhu: I’m good Devarsh, how are you doing?
Devarsh: Doing good. Thanks. So yeah, I’m just gonna ask you a few questions about your immigration to the United States.
And if you can just give me the answer to the best of your ability, that would be greatly appreciated.
Madhu: Sounds good.
Devarsh: First could you tell me a little bit about your background and where you’re originally from?
Madhu: Yeah. My full name is Madhu Naidu and I was born in a city called Ongole in South India.
My parents still live in India and I also have a sibling who also lives in India. And I finished my schooling and college. [00:01:00] In India, and I’m a mechanical engineer and I worked in India before migrating to U. S.
Devarsh: Okay, that’s cool. So where did you first start off working?
Do you remember?
Madhu: I, oh, you mean in India.
Devarsh: Yeah.
Madhu: In India, I worked as a mechanical engineer for an underground power cable company called Gem Cables and Conductors. I used to be like a shift in charge Managing the entire shift managing the production activities.
Devarsh: Okay, cool. Yeah, that’s really interesting.
Madhu: Yeah.
Devarsh: So when and where did you immigrate to?
Madhu: So I moved to US in the year 2000 and my port of entry was Detroit, Michigan. I lived there for about six years before moving to Virginia, where I currently live. When I was in [00:02:00] Detroit, Michigan, I used to work for Chrysler Corporation which is like an automaking company.
And then I served both like private and private public sector clients in the last 24 years. And I’m currently working as a data engineer for Department of Defense.
Devarsh: Pretty cool. Yeah. So how did you fund the move to come overseas?
Madhu: So this immigration process it’s it’s like a work related process.
So I was interviewed by an U. S. employer who basically ended up sponsoring me H 1B work visa. With that, basically I can work anywhere in the U. S. So the employer after getting through the interview, the employer provided me the necessary support for my move. Basically after he got all the required approvals from the U.S. immigration [00:03:00] system.
Devarsh: Cool. And did he provide financial assistance or was it just advice or support? How would you categorize his support to you?
Madhu: Yeah, they do provide like financial support because, basically. Once they hire me, it’s their responsibility to provide me each and every resource providing a ticket to come from India and then after coming here, initially they will provide some boarding and then once I get placed at a client it can be anywhere in the U.S. So then after that, I am on my own, to support myself.
Devarsh: Okay, that’s really interesting.
Madhu: Yeah.
Devarsh: So what was your main motivation to come to the United States? What would you, in your opinion, say was the biggest motivating factor?
Madhu: Yeah. So at that time when I made a determination my main motivation coming to this country is to have a better quality of [00:04:00] life.
So the conditions, I had an impression at that time that the conditions to live here are better compared to India. So that’s basically my main motivation.
Devarsh: And would you say that in your opinion, were the conditions better at the time?
Madhu: Like in U. S., yes, far better. Definitely exceeded my expectations.
Because this country, it’s already developed at that time. This is I’m talking about 24 years. So yeah, definitely compared to India at that time, the conditions are better here.
Devarsh: Okay, cool. So what was the most challenging part in the immigration process for you?
Madhu: Again, this is to get the H 1B work visa, basically you have to go through like interviews with different employers so whoever selects you for a job, basically, they will provide the sponsorship and it’s not like very easy to get the sponsorship as like multiple people try [00:05:00] to compete for a single job because everybody, allows to come here, like to this country.
So I ended up like attending interviews with multiple employers to get the sponsorship and also getting the visa is like a. Complex and lengthy process, but yeah, somehow I was able to make it.
Devarsh: Okay, cool. Yeah so how did you before you moved in right when you Found out you were going to be coming to the united states What like how immediately did you prepare for the move and were there any resources?
Or people that helped you make the transition easier.
Madhu: So You I, before me some of my college friends has moved to us and they provided me the necessary guidance for my move like after coming here how I can once I get a job at a different place how I can rent apartments, and what, like what [00:06:00] contracts, I have to put in all that. So I definitely got a lot of help from my friends. And then since the employer like, sponsors me the visa, the employers also provide me the guidance on what things I have to do. Once I like, land in this country,
Devarsh: right? So I would assume like getting a bank account, credit cards and all that stuff was new for you, especially in a new country. How was that? How was figuring out all the, yeah, I was figuring out all the, like the norms going on in the United States.
How was that challenge?
Madhu: yeah, initially, they like get. Opening a bank account and all the first thing is once you get onto, step into this country, the first thing is you have to go to an SSN office, like social security office. And then based on your visa status, they will assign you the social security number.
That is one thing. And then the next thing is you have to work on your [00:07:00] driving. So you have to, get some training like, from a driving school and then, get a license like, the US driving license. Those are the two main things. And if you really want a bank account, you can still use your passport as an identification and, they’ll let you open a bank account.
Devarsh: That’s really, that’s cool to learn a little bit about seeing the difference from over there to here. Cause, growing up here, I never really had to worry about anything over that. So I would be pretty terrified if I had to go over and start completely over.
Madhu: It’s definitely overwhelming in the beginning, but yeah, in a month or so, you can get settled,
Devarsh: yeah. So what were your first impressions of the US when you arrived?
Madhu: So when it comes to the impression definitely there is a culture difference between India and US. So it was a bit of culture shock in the [00:08:00] beginning. Like the Western world is completely different.
Compared to India. But I was able to manage it, and the other thing I like the most like here is how well the people and the systems are like organized, so compared to India, people are organized, and then there are some processes in place. So that is what I like the most.
And culture, of course I have to be prepared, to face that, so I was able to tackle that well.
Devarsh: Yeah, cool. So how was getting a job and learning about the U S work norms?
Madhu: So once like any person like comes on a H1B work visa and like I said before, The H 1B work visa is sponsored by an employer.
So they, once I am like, in this country, what the [00:09:00] employer will do is they will start working with their clients and they will say, Oh, I have this guy who has all these skills. If you guys, need his support or help, we can provide. Him for a contract, so that’s how it starts.
And then the client, if they read, they, I mean they basically, they’ll submit my resume and then the client will take a look at the resume and then they’ll set up interview for me and the people from the client place, they will do some technical interviews, they’ll check my skills, and if they are like.
Satisfied with my skills, they’ll say, okay, and then that’s that’s, that will be my job basically, and that can contract could be like a six months contract, an year contract, or it can go like two years, there is no limit for that. It can be anything.
So that is one thing. I was like, my employer was able to like, work with the clients here [00:10:00] and was able to place me like, in a month. And that’s when I moved to Pittsburgh. That was my first project. So I worked for a company called PPG industries like a business intelligence analyst.
So that’s my first job in us. Okay, cool. And like I said, like I said before, I have worked with different private and public sector clients during my tenure here and I applied for my green card which is like a permanent resident status while being on the H 1B visa.
And it got approved in the year 2005. So after that I have to wait five years for me to apply for like a U. S. citizenship. So I waited for five years and I became a naturalized U. S. citizen in the year 2010 after going through like a year long process.
Devarsh: Wow. How did you feel [00:11:00] when that happened, when you officially became American?
Did you, did it feel different or were you happy? What were your emotions?
Madhu: Yeah. So definitely, I was like very much relieved when I got the citizenship because With this H 1B visa, green card, all that, right? You keep on, you have to do renewals H 1B, they used to give approval for three, every three years you have to renew that, and even green card you have to renew it like, every, I think, two years, I believe, maybe it changed now. I don’t know, once I became a U. S. citizen, I don’t need to go through all that hassle, and then working with the employers are also like, is also like easy. I don’t need any sponsorship.
I can directly apply for a U. S. company here. And I can get a job, I can join the government projects. That’s when I decided to start working for the public sector clients. When I say public sector, it is all like government, like [00:12:00] DOD, DOT, Department of Education, Department of Veteran Affairs.
So I did contracting jobs with the agencies directly, so that’s a big relief to me once I became a citizen, it’s that process became a little easy for me.
Devarsh: All right. So, it must have been a big relief to you and a lot of your family. Do you have any. Do you know any stories?
I know I’ve heard that takes a really long time to get your green card. Sometimes. Do you have any personal stories that you think you could share about maybe someone in your family that it might’ve took a little longer than you to get their green card and it was a struggle?
Madhu: Oh yeah. So like I said, my, a couple of my college friends, Like who did the engineering with me in India.
So they came to us right after me, but by the time they got the green card, it was like, it took 15 years or something for them to get [00:13:00] the green card, because it was 15 years. Wow. It was like so backlogged. For me it took three to four years, but for them it took 15 years.
And I know people still like, who are still waiting even from like 20 years back,
Devarsh: oh, wow.
Madhu: So it’s so much backlogged. And then, with the governments changing and the change with the change in the immigration rules. The time will take like even more, so
Devarsh: that kind of leads into my next question.
It was, do you, have you seen have you seen a difference since you moved here to now in the immigration policies and what are your personal dots on what you would like to share?
Madhu: So I would say I definitely lucked out like, because it took very less time for me.
But. The people, there are so many people after me who struggled and then even people are there like even till date, like still struggling, because of the change in policies or sometimes the quota will [00:14:00] be over and then people have to just wait until the, quota opens,
Devarsh: right? So if you would have to guess right around now long, if I were to apply for a green card, how long do you think it would take from start to finish in your opinion?
Madhu: So I think the last time I heard was like, now, even it takes 15 years and then I have to say one important thing here.
So this green card thing varies from country to country. So if a person from India applies for a green card, then, he will get green card only in the quota that is. Assigned to only India, so like that, China will have a different number, like other countries will have different numbers, yeah, so that is an important factor that everybody should know and then.
And then different work if you are a doctor, you will be in a different category. If you are like a computer science engineer, you will be in a different category.
Devarsh: [00:15:00] Occupation, so you would say that your occupation has a, okay,
Madhu: exactly. So that the quota varies from, for with different scenarios.
Devarsh: Awesome. That’s really cool to learn about. I had no idea about that.
Madhu: Yeah.
Devarsh: So when you first got here how was your experience of living here compared to your expectations before you arrived?
Madhu: Like I said before, the living conditions in us are much better compared to where I came from, and the other very important thing I noticed is.
Like lack of corruption in people and systems, when I say systems like process, back home for every little thing you have to get done, you have to bribe so many people. So the system is like all corrupted. But in us, I did not see that when I first came in, even till date I don’t see that.
So that is one good thing, that I [00:16:00] like. And like I said, that makes a lot of difference to your quality of life also, yeah.
Devarsh: So you said, so you mentioned corruption in back home in India. Would you say from when you lived there till now it has gotten better?
It’s gotten worse or it stayed the same? What would you say?
Madhu: In India? Yeah. So I should say the corruption has even become like worse in India.
Devarsh: Wow. What is that?
Madhu: So I would say everything like they’re people are like used to that secondary money that they get out of corruption people like, who are like government servants.
Devarsh: Oh, so like police officers
Madhu: everybody, yeah, the system, exactly, and that system is corrupted here. Yeah. Here, if I get that driving like a speeding ticket, for example, nothing no, no chance, the police [00:17:00] officer will give me a ticket and I either end up paying or contest in court or things like that.
They’re simple. People are used to do okay, they’ll give offer money to the officer and the officer take it and then they go. So it starts from there. And then let’s say earlier I said getting a driver’s SSN, right?
So there for you to get the things done soon, you have to offer a bribe.
So otherwise, if you apply for a driver’s license. They deliberately delay that for like months. If you give them money, they’ll do it fast. That’s how the system is. I did not see all those in US, that is, that’s why I said that, that affects a person’s life a lot, so that’s what I like the most.
Devarsh: Yeah, that’s a clear advantage to the wealthy. I don’t think that’s fair
Madhu: exactly like they’re [00:18:00] like in India, if you have money, you’re good. Like you can do whatever you want. Things get done fast for you, people without money, they suffer with that system.
Devarsh: Have you faced any cultural language barriers since moving here?
Madhu: Yes, cultural differences are there, but I don’t know. Personally I did not, it did not create any issues for me, the main, the one main thing that affected me in the beginning is the communication. Because it was a bit of a challenge as I grew up using British English, because when I studied, I always was taught using British accent, so here, like the accent is, different, like American English is different from, British English, the way we say things, pronounce things, certain words are like pronounced certain way, Initially, like when I say certain things, people like, the people here, had [00:19:00] trouble understanding me, so I have to adjust myself.
To this American English,
Devarsh: right?
Madhu: Yeah.
Devarsh: Along the same lines what aspects of your culture traditions have you maintained since arriving? And what traditions have you stopped? If there are any,
Madhu: Basically by that, by the time I came to us a lot of like Indians were already here.
So you have like Indian stores where they sell all the, items that you need. Let’s say if you have to perform some rituals, according to your religion, right? You need certain items. So those items are like readily available for me. I can just go to a shop, Indian groceries, and then I can buy them, to perform the things.
Devarsh: So the convenience aspect was there.
Madhu: Yeah, it was already there, I know the people who came 20 years before me, they had a big trouble, because if they really want to buy, they have to buy in India, and then, get [00:20:00] them with them, so I’ve never had that problem.
So luckily I was able to continue all my traditions, without any issue. And the other thing is by the time I came in, a lot of Hindu temples are already constructed in the U. S. So it was easy for me to just go to those temples and worship God.
Devarsh: That makes sense. It’s very convenient for you that you didn’t have to do anything out of the normal or go out of your way that much.
Madhu: Exactly. Yep.
Devarsh: So how has your view of your home countries changed since moving abroad? Has anything, have you felt different about it? Do you still love it the same way? What are your thoughts about it?
Madhu: So when I first moved there was a big difference in everything. When it comes to money, like the conversion, when you do convert like dollars into rupees, all that, like there was a big difference, and even for the development, everything is developed [00:21:00] here, there, it’s it’s not developed. So there was a big difference in the beginning, but what I noticed over a period of time is. Like in India, things have changed a lot and the country currently is like developing at a very fast pace and that actually now opened up with like more opportunities for people, when I first moved there, those opportunities were not there, that’s why I have to go to another country, to make my life better.
Devarsh: So how often do you go back to India, or do you at all?
Madhu: So I, because my family is still there I, I at least try to visit India once in every two years. So when family, friends, a lot of people are still there. So it’s always fun to spend time with them.
And the other awesome thing is to enjoy the food, so Yeah. [00:22:00] Yeah. So I always have a good time with, friends, family, and then, yeah, like I said, like food is another thing, I love.
Devarsh: Awesome. So what are the main differences you noticed in the educational system, work culture, or daily life compared to your home country?
Madhu: The differences are like, if you take the education system Indian education system definitely has a high standard, at least in my personal opinion. So that, that is one thing. So there is a difference definitely between the standard let’s say when I say standard, like the kid who goes to sixth grade here, in India whatever, whatever things he do in 6th grade in India, people do it in 5th grade itself, so they’re like one step. Yeah, one step ahead,
Devarsh: okay we’re the so you know how in America it goes kindergarten through 12th grade, then you go to college. Is it? Is it the [00:23:00] same way in India?
Is it a little different?
Madhu: That thing is like same, but the only difference is Here the high school is like four years, right there, the high school is two years, they actually call it like intermediate. So it goes from kindergarten to 10th, which is like elementary school.
And then 11th and 12th is called intermediate school. And then after intermediate, you go to four year college. That’s where you get like a, you can get a bachelor’s degree,
Devarsh: and so you mentioned that you went to college and remind me again what you were studying.
Madhu: So I, so after my intermediate, which is like 12th grade after my 12th grade.
So I went to a college and I pursued mechanical engineering. So I got, I have a bachelor’s degree Which is, that is like a four year degree. So it’s called like bachelors in mechanical engineering.
Devarsh: And you mentioned [00:24:00] that you’re, you went to school with a bunch of people who also immigrated to the United States.
Do you still keep in touch with them? How’s your relationship with them?
Madhu: Oh yeah. Like we definitely try to meet once in a while, with, I have not with every one of them, but at least I am in constant contact with four of my friends. Who are very close to me.
So we at least try to meet like once in a year,
Devarsh: but
Madhu: yeah, but other people we, I’m still connected with them, nowadays with WhatsApp and all Facebook, WhatsApp you, you can be connected to everyone, a lot of my school friends I’m in contact with still, yeah, that media is helping me
Devarsh: awesome. That’s really cool to hear. And so what would personally, what advice would you give to someone who is immigrating to this country? Someone who plans on coming here, but is a little skeptical. Would you tell them to come or would you tell them to stay?
What would [00:25:00] your thoughts be?
Madhu: So the advice I will give is like anyone, like who comes here in the beginning, it is going to be like painful, yes. When I say painful, the pain is from being like, away from your family, so initially that will hit you hard, but as the years progress, you will be okay.
At least, that’s what I faced initially I missed my family a lot, and of course you are alone, like you are in a different country, you have to build your, career, you have to create a base here, you have to come from like zero, right?
So that is always tough for anyone, so that is one thing. So whoever is coming here, they have to be like, be prepared with that. Initial hit, as the years progress, they’ll be okay. So that is one thing. And then when it comes to the work, right? I like the flexibility and the extra perks [00:26:00] the U.S employers offer. So the more you perform, the more money you get, so you have that, facility here and that will help you most, and yeah. And the other thing is the living conditions. So it’s definitely better than like India, so the environment, everything is clean, so that, that is also another thing I like the most,
Devarsh: awesome. Yeah. That sounds, yeah. And lastly, So how do you see your future here? Do you plan on staying here long term or do you have plans on returning home to your home country eventually? What are your immediate feelings and thoughts about that?
Madhu: So it has been, like I said before, it has been 24 years.
So I have a stable life here. I have my own family here, kids. Going to colleges here so I definitely don’t have any thoughts at this time to go back to the, my birth country, [00:27:00] but maybe once I retire, maybe, I will go there and leave for a couple of months in a year, but again, that is a maybe, but at this time, I don’t have any plans to return to my home country.
Devarsh: Okay, awesome. Cool. And one last question before we wrap this up. You said that you love Indian food. I was just wondering if you would say any of the listeners, if there is a specific dish that you might like that you would want to recommend to people. Yeah.
Madhu: So Indian the people who love spicy food, for them they, I recommend one item, which is called like biryani. It’s called biryani and biryani can be made of made with like chicken, or goat. So there are different types even, you can make it with shrimp. So that is one thing I like and definitely but it will, the food will be a little [00:28:00] spicy, so people have to be prepared for the people who doesn’t like spicy food, right?
Yeah. The one dish I recommend is butter chicken. You can get it in any Indian restaurant. You won’t go wrong with that. Butter chicken with with a naan. They call it naan. Naan is nothing but a bread. You have different types of breads. Garlic bread, plain, plain naan, garlic naan, things like that.
It goes well with the butter chicken. So that is one thing I will recommend. And then when it comes to the appetizers, they have things like samosa which is made of using which is made using potatoes. So that that definitely, that is that is a deep fried one.
So obviously it will taste good. So nobody will go wrong with that. So I definitely recommend samosa for an appetizer.
Devarsh: Awesome. Yeah, those all 3 of those sound great. I’ll be sure to try them sometime soon. [00:29:00] And yeah, I think that’s about it. I just want to say, thank you for taking the time and letting me interview you about your immigration process here.
It was great learning a little bit more about you in your process. And yeah, thank you.
Madhu: You’re welcome.
Devarsh: All right. Thank you. Have a good day. Bye. Bye.
Madhu: You too. Thanks. Bye.
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