“Everything was new to me, the environment, the culture, the people. I needed to learn a whole new language,” according to Zarmina, an Afghan woman who first came to America in 2019. “At first I was worried, but then  IRC came in and  provided their services and their help in regards to rent, finding us a home, taking care of us, and showing us how to adapt to everything, and once we adapted to everything,  that’s when we felt more comfortable and like this is our home.”

Throughout the month of September, Charlottesville residents heard stories from over a dozen different community members with lived experiences like Zarmina’s, thanks to a collaboration between the IRC and WTJU, the University of Virginia’s community radio station. The joint project, “Resettled,” gave 17 current and former Charlottesville clients an opportunity to share their journeys in a series of wide-ranging interviews. WTJU’s gifted production team edited interview excerpts into digestible 60-second stories that they played on air between their regular programming slots, delivering illuminating anecdotes and reflections to their listeners over the course of the day.

Expectations made up a major theme that participants in this project touched on, with many of them sharing that they were uncertain what the future would hold when they first immigrated to the United States. “I come to the United States almost one year and six months ago” said Janic, a young woman originally from Colombia. “It was so dangerous for us living there, [but] I don’t know, I feel like kind of scared, because you know, in Latin America, United States is like, oh my God, a big country. [But] I feel like specifically for people from here, Virginia… they’re so kind, they’re so lovely.”

While participants shared many other positive stories, several also disclosed the obstacles they faced, and many interviewees also shared words of advice for new arrivals. “The first house you get in the United States is not the perfect house, it’s not the house of your dreams,” said Elie, a young man born in Rwanda who immigrated to the United States in 2007 and now works for the IRC as a housing specialist. “But whatever you find, that house, it will be a bridge. It will be a starting point, and this will get you pretty much anywhere.” Refugees face difficult economic realities and language barriers when they arrive, but those interviewed for this project also stressed that nothing should cause fear for new immigrants. “Challenges are everywhere, but when you just be, like, ready to learn, understand yourself, where you are, where you come from, that will help you to get used to the new community” said Olga, a young woman originally from Burundi who immigrated to America in 2021. “From there you start enjoying, and as you’re enjoying, you find yourself communicating with people. And also one thing I realized, even if you don’t speak English, you’ll be able to communicate. If a baby is able to communicate to a mother, you’ll be able to communicate to people!”

While individual experiences and stories differed, a common thread running through all these conversations was hope. “I left my home country during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, former Yugoslavia,” according to Dragana, now a small-business owner in Charlottesville. “My husband and I started Marco and Luca Dumplings in 2001, and in the beginning, it was hard and challenging a little bit, and just coming to terms with ‘What am I doing? Is this good enough?’ And then the beautiful community members will come to me and say ‘I love what you do! You make me happy! This little dumpling is so special to me!’ Or people will meet at a restaurant and create friendships and partnerships. And I eventually came to terms that what I do, it is important. One dumpling at a time!”

These stories began playing on WTJU (91.1 FM ) on September 13th for Welcoming Week, a nationwide celebration of diversity and inclusivity, and continued broadcasting through the month of September. While their time on air is now over, they’re still available to listen to and share on WTJU’s website, www.wtju.net. Listeners can also follow the IRC in Charlottesville on Facebook and Instagram, where we will feature different interview clips in the coming months.