Hi everyone,

Thank you for letting me contribute to the blog. I am very excited about this and I hope I can start good discussions here.

I am currently researching on the Iranian diasporic identity. I realize that many of you who grew up in America have appropriated Iranian/American culture and came up with a collective Iranian identity that makes sense to most of you.

This indeed is very interesting for someone like me who spent most of her life in Iran. I moved to North America (Toronto, San Francisco and currently Boston) about six years ago. During the past six years, I have met many Iranians in various cities. I have learned a lot from you guys and developed a curiosity to get to know you better. In fact, I am so curious that my Master’s thesis is on the same topic.

After meeting, Iranican team, I realized that this is a great platform for me to read and brainstorm with you  about this topic. So here are some of my questions that could potentially generate a discussion among all of you. Please don’t hesitate to post your own questions or ideas that are not listed here.

1) Why did your family move from Iran? (political reasons, education, etc)?

2) Do you think there is a visible distinction among Iranians in the bay area, LA, Boston or other cities? Please describe.

3) Who was the first Iranian or Iranian-American your age that you met? Can you share the memory? how did you guys connect? what was interesting or not interesting?

4) Do you listen to news about Iran? do you watch Iranian movies or listen to anything that is produced in Iran? (if yes, can you recall the last thing you watched or listened to?)

5) When you were growing up, did you or your family watch/listen to Iranian news produced in Los Angles or in European countries? (please describe and share your favorite programs)

6) What was your favorite American TV show (as a kid)?

7) Are your parents fluent in English Language? Were they able to help you with your school work?

8) What do you do now? Are you an engineer? (if yes, does it have to do with your family culture? did your parents have any role in choosing your major?)

9) What is your goal in life? (is it money? happiness? make a change? etc) – Please describe.

10) Is you partner Iranian? does it matter to you? do you avoid non-iranians for relationships? — please describe. If you have dated non- Iranians, please share your experience. Have you had any cultural problems? What were the pros and cons of the relationship?

11) When you think of Iran, what is it that comes to your mind first? (if it is a memory please share it with us. If it is a memory of your parents, please share that as well.)

12) What is the funniest Persian Slang or word that you have learned. (why is it funny to you and where do you use it? where did you first learn it from?)

Cheers,

Tina