Simic, Theodora. Christina Robarts interviewing Theodora Simic on her experiences living as a new Canadian in Newfoundland and Labrador, January 29, 2013.

• Main Author: Robarts, Christina
• Other Authors: Simic, Theodora
• Format: Audio
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Migration/settlement; Social beliefs; practices and customs; Personal experience narratives; People; Simic; Theodora; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/ich_oral/id/82

Theodora Simic interviewed by Christina Robarts on Tuesday, January 29, 2013, on the topic of her experiences as a new Canadian. Theodora talks about when she came to Canada (00:30); explains the difference of coming to Canada as a mature person rather than a younger person (00:50); talking about becoming a programmer in Canada (2:02); explaining how she experienced culture shock when she came to Canada (2:18); describes her background (2:44); capitalism as a difference between Serbia and Canada (3:35); talking about education and more cultural differences (4:40); explains her experience living in the United States and the ethnic communities (4:56); talking about Serbians and Serbian communities in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, Canada (7:24); the reason why she decided to move to Canada; and issues, corruption, conflict and war in Serbia (9:47); talking about people she knows and how their kids think they are more Canadian and are less likely to perform traditions (14:30); the Serbian Calendar, food, and customs and the younger generation losing meaning and practice (15:20); talks about the different places she has lived and the differences she experienced: Western Europe, British Columbia, St. John’s, NL (19:24); talking about Newfie jokes(20:06); talking about the changes she saw in cities (20:20); talking about dying traditions, languages, and how they can be kept alive (21:05); talks about the experiences and stories of other people who moved after war broke out and their reactions to cultural differences: electricity and the amount of produce and or stuff you can buy in the stores (25:21); how differences and cultural shock may have lessened thanks to computers, cell phones and new forms of communication like Skype and the internet (29:10); food and speaking Serbian as part of maintaining traditions and culture (34:50); how they view their identity and clinging to her old world identity as a way to not get the feeling of being displaced (35:53); talks about trying to figure out Canada because everyplace ...