- Name: Daniel Tet
- Born: 1974
- Birthplace: Socialist Republic of Romania
- Overcome Story: Ran legally across the border to Hungary and never returned
- Interview: October 2022
- Links: (TBD)
- Short interview (5m)
- Full interview (1h, 11m)
- Written story (PDF)
Daniel remembers exactly where he was when he turned fourteen. He was in Austria, in a refugee camp. A kind lady gave him a box of chocolates for his birthday as she wrote his name and birthday on the immigration forms. His is a coming-of-age story through the refugee camps of Europe. His most life-transforming months were spent in Hungarian and German schools, traveling to embassies, and using a typewriter for the first time.
Remembering Romania, Daniel recalls how he stood in bread lines, how he was taunted “pocaitul” (Christian/repented one) by his soccer playmates. While not imprisoned or interrogated by the secret police, Daniel remembers how the summer camp his church built for children was torn down in front of him by two men in suits – and nobody could do anything about it.
He remembers his first impression of America in a large Oldsmobile at night – the reflectors on the road lighting up the lanes of traffic. Everything was bigger in the US, but he adapted quickly.
Reflection Questions:
- If you traveled to a country whose language you don’t speak, would you be afraid, excited, or something else?
- Have you seen an empty supermarket or bakery, or can you imagine what one might look like?
- What have you stayed in line for and what does that say about the supply chain (or prosperity) of your country?
- Should there be songs about the leader of the country? Especially while he or she is still alive?