Who am I?

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Autobiography of Research Interests

             I describe myself differently, every time I answer the “who are you?” question. How identify seem to be in transition all the time. However, some things always reappear in my answer-what is hidden in my names in relations to who I am as a cultural being. My diverse background is apparent even in my names. Bijoux, a French name for jewels and a very popular name for female celebrities in Congo, usually singers and celebrities. The name is sung in countless Congolese songs by artists such as Fally Ipupa, Koffi Olomide and many more. It makes me feel famous for that matter. Bahati on the other hand, is a Swahili name that that resembled the following English words; fortunate, lucky, fate, opportunity, destiny, you name it. I am uncommon, with an uncommon background and I am used to that, at least learned to be “ok” with it. Anyways, the long story behind my birth name (Bahati) is to be told later for it would not make sense to tell it now. In short, the circumstance in which I was born in, in Congolese culture dictated my name, an important part of who I am. To give you a glimpse, in Congolese culture, time, place and circumstance of birth is reflected in one’s name and  mine is Bahati.

I was born and raised in the Democratic Republican Of Congo, Central Africa, up until I was eleven years old. I moved to Tanzania to escape an ongoing civil war in my beloved country; the war that left many citizens homeless, orphan children, parents childless, and many, familyless. I was “Fortunate” to have escaped with my family. Four years later, I left Tanzania to come to the United States. I settled in Burlington Vermont where, for the first time, I started school in an English school system. I graduated four years later and then attended the University of Vermont. How did I get to this point? I often ask, but that is a question of many book pages to be written. My story and many gone untold are of refugee young people in the United Stated and other resettlement nations, worldwide.

I am an incoming masters’ student in Social Work concentrating in Child, Youth and Family Services. My long-term goal is to serve refugee and immigrant people in this area of concentration. My research interest is to continue writing about my personal story and eventually write about the experiences of other refugee young adults.  Topics of exploration will include, their experiences of leaving their origin countries, experiences in their country of resettlement and resettlement processes, and how they have acculturated overtime.

This summer however, I am “lucky” to work with a faculty in my department on his search about international volunteerism. More specifically, I will review literature and develop questionnaires or conduct survey on experiences of diaspora volunteers and their contributions to their communities of origin. This research will be of useful to me because I have interest in working internationally on issues that impact refugee and the impact on children and families.