Questions to Ask an Immigrant for a Project
Thoughtful questions to ask immigrants for projects that demonstrate respect for their experiences, cultural sensitivity, and genuine interest in understanding their unique perspectives and stories.
1What brought you to this country, and what was your journey like?
Click to see why this works
What brought you to this country, and what was your journey like?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question opens up a personal exploration of their immigration story while showing respect for their experience and demonstrating genuine interest in understanding their journey.
2How has your cultural background influenced your perspective on [project topic]?
Click to see why this works
How has your cultural background influenced your perspective on [project topic]?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question acknowledges the value of their cultural perspective while connecting it to the project topic, showing you value their unique insights and experiences.
3What challenges have you faced in adapting to life here, and how have you overcome them?
Click to see why this works
What challenges have you faced in adapting to life here, and how have you overcome them?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question shows you understand the difficulties of immigration while demonstrating respect for their resilience and problem-solving abilities.
4How do you maintain connections with your home country while building a life here?
Click to see why this works
How do you maintain connections with your home country while building a life here?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question acknowledges the complexity of maintaining cultural identity while adapting to a new country, showing you understand the dual nature of their experience.
5What aspects of your home culture do you most want to preserve and share with others?
Click to see why this works
What aspects of your home culture do you most want to preserve and share with others?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question shows you value their cultural heritage and demonstrates your interest in understanding what they consider most important about their background.
6How has your experience as an immigrant shaped your understanding of [project topic]?
Click to see why this works
How has your experience as an immigrant shaped your understanding of [project topic]?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question connects their immigration experience to the project topic while showing you value their unique perspective and insights.
7What support systems have been most helpful to you in your new country?
Click to see why this works
What support systems have been most helpful to you in your new country?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question shows you're interested in understanding their support network while demonstrating your awareness of the importance of community and resources.
8How do you navigate between different cultural expectations and values?
Click to see why this works
How do you navigate between different cultural expectations and values?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question acknowledges the complexity of living between cultures while showing you understand the challenges of balancing different cultural norms.
9What advice would you give to someone who is considering immigrating to this country?
Click to see why this works
What advice would you give to someone who is considering immigrating to this country?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question shows you value their experience and wisdom while demonstrating your interest in learning from their insights and advice.
10How has your perspective on [project topic] changed since coming to this country?
Click to see why this works
How has your perspective on [project topic] changed since coming to this country?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question explores how their immigration experience has influenced their views while showing you're interested in understanding the evolution of their perspective.
11What misconceptions about immigrants have you encountered, and how do you address them?
Click to see why this works
What misconceptions about immigrants have you encountered, and how do you address them?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question shows you're aware of the challenges immigrants face while demonstrating your interest in understanding how they handle these situations.
12How do you approach sharing your culture with others who may not be familiar with it?
Click to see why this works
How do you approach sharing your culture with others who may not be familiar with it?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question shows you're interested in understanding their approach to cultural exchange while demonstrating your respect for their cultural knowledge.
13What role does language play in your daily life and identity?
Click to see why this works
What role does language play in your daily life and identity?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question acknowledges the importance of language in cultural identity while showing you understand the complexities of language in immigration experiences.
14How do you balance preserving your cultural traditions with adapting to new customs?
Click to see why this works
How do you balance preserving your cultural traditions with adapting to new customs?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question shows you understand the complexity of cultural adaptation while demonstrating your interest in how they navigate these challenges.
15What has been the most rewarding aspect of your immigration experience?
Click to see why this works
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your immigration experience?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question focuses on positive aspects of their experience while showing you're interested in understanding what they value most about their journey.
16How do you approach building relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds?
Click to see why this works
How do you approach building relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question shows you're interested in understanding their approach to cross-cultural relationships while demonstrating your awareness of the importance of cultural understanding.
17What resources or support have you found most helpful in your new country?
Click to see why this works
What resources or support have you found most helpful in your new country?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question shows you're interested in understanding their support network while demonstrating your awareness of the importance of resources and community.
18How has your experience as an immigrant influenced your goals and aspirations?
Click to see why this works
How has your experience as an immigrant influenced your goals and aspirations?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question explores how their immigration experience has shaped their future plans while showing you're interested in understanding their hopes and dreams.
19What do you wish people understood better about the immigrant experience?
Click to see why this works
What do you wish people understood better about the immigrant experience?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question shows you're interested in learning from their perspective while demonstrating your awareness of the need for better understanding of immigration experiences.
20How can we create more inclusive environments that welcome and support immigrants?
Click to see why this works
How can we create more inclusive environments that welcome and support immigrants?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
This question shows you're thinking about systemic change while demonstrating your interest in creating more welcoming and supportive communities.
Best Practices for Immigrant Project Conversations
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Be Respectful and Culturally Sensitive
Approach conversations with immigrants with respect for their experiences and cultural background. Be mindful of cultural differences and avoid making assumptions.
Listen Without Judgment
When immigrants share their experiences and perspectives, listen with an open heart and mind. Avoid judging or dismissing their views based on stereotypes or assumptions.
Show Genuine Interest in Learning
Demonstrate that you're genuinely interested in learning from their experience and insights. This shows respect for their knowledge and creates a meaningful conversation.
Question Sequences
The Personal Journey Sequence
The Cultural Perspective Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Make Assumptions About Their Experience
Avoid making assumptions about their immigration experience, cultural background, or challenges. Let them share their unique story and perspective.
Don't Focus Only on Challenges
While it's important to understand the difficulties they've faced, also ask about positive aspects of their experience and what they value about their journey.
Don't Ask Questions That Are Too Personal Too Soon
Some topics, like legal status or personal struggles, can be very sensitive. Build trust and rapport before asking very personal questions.