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EB: If you were giving advice to young people today, what would you tell them?

GS: Advice about...

EB: About your life experience or your experience in camp and that of your family?

GS: Well, one thing, despite the faults of our country and our politicians, I still feel that we do live in a great country. I wouldn't trade it to go elsewheres. Because no matter where we go, there are going to be faults. Nothing is ever perfect anywhere. And I just feel personally that whatever opportunities come into our life, we have to take it at that time. And even though things don't go right sometimes the way we want it, we still have to continue. We can't give up, and I think this is something that I really learned from what my parents, how they felt when they were in Manzanar was that they really did not give up hope. They did not know what was going to happen to them, but at least they did not give up hope, and I think they kind of instilled that in us, in me, and I hope I've instilled this in my children. Because when we were living in Germany, that's when I truly felt that I was safe living in America. I had heard some experiences from our German friends who had escaped from Poland and the former East, and at the time of the invasion of... I think it was Afghanistan, one of our German friends who had escaped from Poland had a job opportunity in the States. And he was seriously considering moving here, because he said, "Then I will never, never have to worry about somebody coming after me." Until he discussed this with us, it didn't sink in with me what kind of really free life we lead here in the United States. So I think we just have to live for... I don't think it could be any better than what we have here, despite its faults, like I said. There are going to be hardships at times, but nonetheless... some people have asked me, "Wouldn't you want to go live in Japan?" I said, "No, I have no desire to go live there." I'll visit, but I have no desire to live there.

EB: And you said you were living in Germany. Why were you living in Germany?

GS: We were in Germany on four separate occasions, each time for one year, because my husband spent his sabbatical there. He used to teach at Cal State Los Angeles. He's now retired. But every seven years they're eligible for a sabbatical, and so he took it. And the first year my mother said, "Why are you going to a country where you can't speak the language, you don't know the people, and you're taking these two little kids with you?" But you know, I was young, and to me it was an adventure. And I knew, yes, I couldn't speak the language, but I thought, "Okay, I'll learn a few words." And I don't know what the people are like, but that's okay, I'll get to learn what they're like. And really, in all honesty, I must say, I really felt comfortable there, and I really enjoyed it. And so when my husband's second sabbatical came up, I went willingly. The first time I didn't quite know what to expect, but the second time I kind of had an idea of what it's going to be like. And my only fear was I didn't want the kids to get behind in school, and I didn't know what the school system was going to be like. But even that, my husband and I felt, okay, so they do get behind one year in school. They will have gained so much more in other ways. So since we both agreed on that... I didn't know how the kids would accept it, though, to come back and know that they have to repeat a grade. But I thought, okay, we'll do that. And fortunately, everything worked out in school for the children, they weren't held back, and in fact, they learned the language far better than I did. And so then on the second sabbatical they were in grade school, the third sabbatical, my daughter was at the university and my son was in high school. And then the fourth sabbatical, both kids were working, and so they stayed here and just the two of us went. But it was very nice.

EB: What an amazing experience, opportunity.

GS: Very much so.

EB: And what was he teaching, or what did he teach?

GS: He teaches virology, viruses, and electron microscopy. And during the time he was there on sabbatical, there was no teaching, it was all strictly research. So for him, it was wonderful. No students, no teaching, no telephone, no readings, just his experiments. So he was able to get a lot done. Whereas here he had to squeeze in his research in between teaching, because teaching was the major job. So we've been fortunate.

EB: Yeah. Well, is there anything else you'd like to share with me that I haven't asked you and that you think is important to the interview today?

GS: Gosh, no, I don't think so. You've been quite thorough.

EB: Okay. Well, thank you, it never hurts to ask. Well, I'd like to thank you for joining me, and on behalf of the National Park Service for giving us this interview. It's a great addition to our collection at Manzanar.

GS: Well, you're very welcome, it's been a privilege for me to be interviewed like this, and I'm glad that I can share my experiences. Thank you.

EB: Thank you.

<End Segment 17> - Copyright © 2006 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.