If you ask Bedrija where she's from, she might chuckle and tell you "it's complicated." 
Bedrija was born in Bosnia, but war and conflict drove her and her family to Croatia where she spent her formative years.  Ultimately she moved to the United States, settling in Chicago.  

Bedrija spoke with Ahmed about the circumstances that led to her family's departure from their homeland, diaspora, and why she still considers Bosnia home after all these years.

If you ask Bedrija where she's from, she might chuckle and tell you "it's complicated."  Bedrija was born in Bosnia, but war and conflict drove her and her family to Croatia where she spent her formative years. Ultimately she moved to the United States, settling in Chicago.   Bedrija spoke with Ahmed about the circumstances that led to her family's departure from their homeland, diaspora, and why she still considers Bosnia home after all these years.

​Ahmed Abdelmageed, an immigrant himself, asks these question and more in this new podcast "The I in Immigrant". In collaboration with 89.1 WBOI'sKaty Anderson, they interview members of the Fort Wayne Indiana community and delve a bit deeper into the person we often don't see behind a label our society imposes on them.

Conversations about what it means to be an immigrant.

The I In Immigrant

Bedrija Nikocevic From Bosnia

Elton Skendaj grew up under communist rule in Albania, where there was limited freedom of speech, resources, and access to information.  

Despite growing up under repressive authoritarian rule, Elton's curiosity about the world never diminished. His interests led him to becoming a professor of Peace Studies at Manchester University in Northeast Indiana. He now serves an Assistant Teaching Professor and the Associate Director of the Democracy and Governance Program at Georgetown University. 

In his conversation with Ahmed, he talks about growing up in Albania, his journey to the United States, and the challenges and perks of being bicultural.

Elton Skendaj grew up under communist rule in Albania, where there was limited freedom of speech, resources, and access to information.   Despite growing up under repressive authoritarian rule, Elton's curiosity about the world never diminished. His interests led him to becoming a professor of Peace Studies at Manchester University in Northeast Indiana. He now serves an Assistant Teaching Professor and the Associate Director of the Democracy and Governance Program at Georgetown University.   In his conversation with Ahmed, he talks about growing up in Albania, his journey to the United States, and the challenges and perks of being bicultural.

Elton From Albania

Kidane Amare Sarko is a Fort Wayne resident who immigrated from Ethiopia in pursuit of education.  

In his conversation with Ahmed he talks about how he ended up here, homesickness, switching career paths, and why he's so passionate about public health education.

Kidane Amare Sarko is a Fort Wayne resident who immigrated from Ethiopia in pursuit of education. In his conversation with Ahmed he talks about how he ended up here, homesickness, switching career paths, and why he's so passionate about public health education.

Kidane From Ethiopia

Ifedapo, AKA Mike, lives in Michigan with his wife and four children.  Originally from Nigeria, Ifedapo made his way to the United States by way of England, where he had been pursuing his education.  

Nigeria is very diverse, with over 370 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages. Ifadepo spoke with Ahmed about what it means to him to be Nigerian.  His wife, who hails from Wisconsin, also joined in on the conversation to talk about their relationship, what it means to "blend in", and raising biracial children during a time of racial and social justice reckonings.

Ifedapo, AKA Mike, lives in Michigan with his wife and four children. Originally from Nigeria, Ifedapo made his way to the United States by way of England, where he had been pursuing his education.   Nigeria is very diverse, with over 370 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages. Ifadepo spoke with Ahmed about what it means to him to be Nigerian. His wife, who hails from Wisconsin, also joined in on the conversation to talk about their relationship, what it means to "blend in", and raising biracial children during a time of racial and social justice reckonings.

Bedrija Nikocevic From Bosnia

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