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When I Got Here cover art

When I Got Here

When I Got Here

Written by: Literacy Achieves
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Immigrants share inspiring personal stories of why they left their homelands, how they got to the U.S., and the lives they are making here. They meet the challenges of a new land with determination, perseverance, resilience, and creativity.

Listeners will see America through their eyes and renew their appreciation for the land we love.

When I Got Here is narrated, edited and written by Byron Harris. Harris is a longtime Dallas journalist and winner of two Peabody Awards.

Original music by John Wesley Gibson, composer-in-residence for the Dallas Winds.

Learn more about Literacy Achieves: LiteracyAchieves.org

© 2026 When I Got Here
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Episodes
  • Kay and Venna (Philippines): A Simple Life
    Jan 20 2024

    Kay and Venna Juperatum made a plan to come to the U.S. so they could support their parents in the Philippines. They left family and Kay’s career as a television and radio personality behind. They would rely on Venna's medical training. They had to adapt to different family roles as well as small town and big city life in America. They are building a life and raising a family in America together, according to plan.

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    11 mins
  • Ion Zanca, Young Heo, Efren Guzman: Something Different
    Dec 4 2023

    This is a story about how music brought three immigrants together: a Romanian viola player, a South Korean bass player, and a Mexican drummer. They are part of the Grammy-nominated Dallas String Quartet, DSQ. They structure their concerts to connect with audiences throughout America. They have concerns as foreigners in America and about America in the world. Still, they value living here. Learn more about them and sample more of their music at https://www.dallasstringquartet.com/

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    15 mins
  • Thear (Cambodia) Called to Lead
    Oct 6 2023

    After the 1975 Khmer Rouge takeover of Cambodia, Thear Suzuki’s family started from zero. Thear was three years old. Her story of survival, persistence, and self-discovery led her to high level leadership in consulting firms and the community. Her story inspired President George W. Bush to paint her portrait for his book, Out of Many One.

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    16 mins
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