A student network uncovering stories of migration, identity and belonging in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Exploring what would we learn if we interviewed immigrants about how they found a sense of belonging in a new place?
About the Founder
Hi, I'm Zara. Growing up as the child of immigrants, I've always asked myself, what helps people feel like they belong in a new place? That question inspired me to start Journeys of Belonging, a student-led project where we interview immigrants about building a life here in the Bay Area. Through these stories, we aim to capture the struggles, small victories, and moments of kindness that helped immigrant families find their footing. Together, they show how communities have been shaped by resilience and diversity.
I started this project, but it only works if I can get help sourcing stories. Stories can be shared on video, audio, or even in writing. And any interviewee can remain anonymous, if they prefer. Faces can be blurred and names can be left out. Do let us know your preference. For your time, I will email a $25 Starbucks or Amazon Gift card for every story submitted.
Thank you for helping me with this project.
Stories Of Belonging
From Karachi to MIT: Learning to Belong
How one woman turned uncertainty into confidence and community
When the Neighborhood Celebrated Diwali
How one family’s tradition brought a community together and created a sense of home
From Tehran to the Bay: Finding Family in a New Community
A story of courage, connection and belonging far from home
Welcomed with Warmth
A story of kindness, connection and belonging from Calcutta to the Bay Area
Good People Exist Everywhere
Story of overcoming loneliness, learning a new language and finding connection in unexpected kindness.
A Better Life for My Children
A parent’s courageous journey from Mexico to America, guided by love and resilience
Finding Strength in Community
A grandmother’s journey of courage, connection and love in the Bay Area
Kindness That Made Me Stay
How one friend’s compassion helped a Colombian immigrant feel at home in America
Where Friendship Becomes Family
Story of hope, belonging and the kindness that opened new doors
Winning the Green Card, Finding a New Beginning
Journey from Belarus to California – building a future of opportunity, stability and community
From Fear to Friendship
Journey from Guatemala to the Bay Area – finding courage, connection and love
Across the River: A Family’s Journey to a New Life
A story of courage, loss and resilience on the path from Mexico to the United States
The House That Became a Home
From cold winters to lasting friendships – a grandmother’s story of resilience and belonging in America
From Mumbai to the Midwest: Finding Belonging Through Friendship
How one invitation – and one friendship – helped an international student feel at home in America
Finding Home in Santa Clara
How family, friendship and kindness helped one immigrant family build a life that lasts generations
From Diwali to the Bat Mitzvah
A story of how shared celebrations and everyday kindness revealed the beauty of belonging in the Bay Area
From Marathons to Meaningful Connections
A newcomer’s journey of finding belonging through kindness, laughter, and community spirit
From El Salvador to the Bay
How school, soccer and kindness helped a young girl rebuild her life with her mother in the U.S.
From Hungary to Hope
A mother and daughter’s 30-year journey to rebuild their lives and find home in America
Finding My Voice in a New Place
A story of courage, connection, and the people who helped me belong.
From Melbourne to San Carlos: Finding Home
How soccer, friendship and community turned uncertainty into belonging.
The Man Who Showed Me the Way
A reminder that even small gestures can make a big difference in a new life
From Mexico to California: A New Beginning
A story of leaving home, finding community, and being welcomed with open arms
Finding My Place in the Bay
How small gestures of kindness and community helped turn a new city into home
Finding My Way at Fifteen
A young girl’s journey from Jalisco to the U.S., and the kindness that helped her start anew
Welcomed with Open Arms
How church, community and love helped one young man feel seen and supported
From Jalisco to the Bay: A Life Rebuilt
A story of sacrifice, strength and finding belonging far from home
Taxi Rides and New Beginnings
From driving strangers to finding connection – a story of belonging in a new world
First Generation, Second Chances
A daughter tells the story of her parents’ journey, their struggles, and the community that embraced them.
Becoming Myself in a New Country
A mother’s journey from heartbreak to belonging in the United States
A New Home That Never Felt Fully Mine
Her story of fear, community, and adjusting to a life she didn’t choose
Finding Home Far From Colombia
How English classes, community events, and one stranger’s generosity shaped his American journey
The Language That Made Her Feel at Home
Music became the bridge between cultures, friendships and a new beginning
Starting Over in Kansas City
Her first year in the U.S. brought new challenges, new family and the warmth that made Kansas City feel like home
From Delayed Flights to Small Kindnesses
How one act of generosity helped a newcomer begin feeling at home in New Haven
The Girl Who Arrived With a Coloring Book
A Childhood Journey From Mexico City to the Bay — Cold Weather, New Friends & a Community That Grew With Her
Finding Home Through Toddlers, Tennis & Thanksgiving
A Turkish mother’s journey from loneliness to belonging in the Bay Area, one small kindness at a time.
Half Iranian, Half American – Fully Herself
A Story of Growing Up Between Cultures and Finally Feeling at Home
The Cat, the Neighbor, and a New Beginning
How One Cuban Immigrant Found Connection and Belonging in 1960s Miami
Tell Us Your Story
Answer five questions about your journey, record the interview on your phone, and upload it to our website.
Through these stories, we aim to preserve personal histories, highlight the journeys of integration that shape immigrant communities, and show how immigrants have woven themselves into the social fabric of their new homes.
If you’d like to stay anonymous, we can blur faces, skip names, or accept audio or written submissions instead. Do let us know your preference. As a thank-you, you’ll receive a $25 Amazon or Starbucks gift card once your story is submitted.
Objective
This initiative is led by Zara Bharadwaj, a second-generation immigrant. Through video storytelling, she seeks to explore what makes immigrant hubs like the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater New York, Miami, and Los Angeles fertile ground for vibrant, multicultural communities.
Journeys of Belonging aims to document and share stories of migration, identity and belonging through the eyes of young people. Students uncover the emotional journeys behind each move, revealing how culture, language and love create bridges across geographies.