In this episode, host Zach interviews his father, Mehdi, who immigrated to the U.S. with his family from Iran at 4.

Mehdi covers his experience coming to America for greener pastures. He addresses the risk that families like his have to take when migrating, often leaving much of their assets and life behind. He discusses the challenges he’s faced and eventually overcame in school as a kid who spoke Farsi at home. He shares his opinion on cultural preservation and determination among immigrants.

The conversation delves into the complexities of the immigrant experience, examining the bravery, struggles, and triumphs of those who leave their homeland and immigrate to start anew.

[This podcast is a project by 12th-grade students in Mr. Smith’s English class at Mission Vista High School in Vista Unified School District.]