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Interviews
During our research we interviewed students from Baruch and NYU
Here's what two 2nd generation female students from NYU's Dominican student organization "Bella Quisqueya" had to say about Dominican life in and out of school:
First off, they were both grateful towards BQ because they thought it gave them a sense of identity, and a sense of community within the larger student body of NYU.
They both define themselves as Dominicans. They thought the main difference bewtween DR and US cultures was the Dominican's greater sense of family values, and are in general more family oriented people.
When asked whether or not they've visited DR they answered emphatically, yes.
With regards to differences between themselves and their parents they said their parents are pretty open minded so they do their best adapting to American culture. They also said that because of their higher education they definitely have more opportunities than their parents had when they came to this country. They also think they have a better chance of getting jobs because they don't face the same language barriers their parents faced.
As far as NYU is concerned they said that outside of BQ there is not much intermingling between the students.
As far as politics- neither follow current DR politics because as one put it, "it doesn't touch me on a personal level" but their parents still follow the politics there to some extent.
One of the students were majoring in Latin American history and minoring in politics., while the other student was mojoring in Nursing and minoring in science.
As far as trends in chosing majors, they said the selections were very diverse.
When asked abut what challenges they thing Dominican students face as opposed to other monority groups they said in the NYU environment there was no difference but in the real world she felt people from the Carribbean are more embraced than say Central American immigrants.
In regards to intermarriage they said that they like to stick within the Dominican or Carribbean population because of the similar cultures. They also mentioned that who you marry has a lot to do with the level of education you received. Those more well educated may tend to marry outside the Dominican population.
When asked what the main difference between having a Dominican background as opposed to a different Hispanic background they said the main difference was language where Dominicans tend to have a more slang style spanish, food and music are mostly the same.
They said they did not like the term Hispanic and that they prefered the term latina.
At home they said that at home Spanish is spoken although english is understood. Their dominant language is Spanish and one student said "I feel like I can express myself better in spanish, it just comes so easy."
Lastly, as far as career aspirations, one student said she wanted to be a lawyer and the other said she wanted to be a pediatric nurse.
