New American Stories

Series produced by Erika Lorentzsen

Caption: PRX default Series image
PRX default Series image 

Immigrants and New Americans talk about dating and how it's similar or different from American dating. How nice is nice in another culture? Immigrants look for a place of worship. A refugee's journey.

These are stories about immigrant experiences. Looking at dating and sexual relations that differ from culture to culture, these pieces cross traditions and culture. Some pieces document a refugee's journey from Bhutan and another from Somalia. Another story focuses on a woman from the Philippines as a mail order bride to Jamestown, North Dakota.


10 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Filipina woman meets husband on Christian dating site and moves to small town North Dakota. She says their relationship is more than mail order bri...

  • Added: Jun 14, 2013
  • Length: 07:09
Caption: Edwin Aybar from Puerto Rico comments on being nice, Credit: Erika Lorentzsen
Being nice can vary from culture to culture. One European immigrant finds midwestern nice to be fake. In other cultures, nice may be simpleminded.

  • Added: Jun 14, 2013
  • Length: 06:56
Caption: PRX default Piece image
In a country with a high divorce rate, immigrants have a different view of marriage.

  • Added: Jun 14, 2013
  • Length: 03:30
Caption: Dirk Ockhardt from Germany talks about European dating, Credit: Erika Lorentzsen
A look at different dating rituals around the world. From Europeans getting married later in life like in Chicago, NY and other places, to a Muslim...

  • Added: Jun 14, 2013
  • Length: 04:52
Piece image
A young boy's father is killed in Somalia, as he makes his way to a camp in Kenya. After a long journey, now in the US, he doesn't feel discriminat...

  • Added: Jun 14, 2013
  • Length: 08:51
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Dating can be different for Muslims, Hindus and Latinos. Even once they've moved to America, some of the traditions stay alive, and some die.

  • Added: Jun 14, 2013
  • Length: 04:23
Caption: PRX default Piece image
An immigrant adjusting to new life in a new country has many challenges including how the community accepts them. Immigrants may feel they are on t...

  • Added: Jun 14, 2013
  • Length: 05:58
Caption: Chali Khanal a refugee from Bhutan, Credit: Erika Lorentzsen
The Nepalese Bhutanese people are basically landless after having fled Bhutan. One immigrant tells the story of going from refugee to the US.

  • Added: Jun 14, 2013
  • Length: 06:17
Caption: Dirk Ockhardt from Germany discusses jokes, Credit: Erika Lorentzsen
Maintaining a sense of humor in another language can be difficult. Some misunderstandings can be humorous. Still, understanding the nuances of joke...

Bought by KKRN and KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio


  • Added: Jun 14, 2013
  • Length: 05:10
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: PRX default Piece image
At weddings, there are different rituals, from breaking glass to receiving a necklace, depending on the culture. Here’s a day at a Bhutanese weddin...

  • Added: Jun 14, 2013
  • Length: 01:56