Exchange to Change Sept 2017 20170911 E2C zomer web | Page 13

IN THE PICTURE 13 IOB Master students skills, we finally reached the house of the first respondent. We were warmly welcomed by my interviewee’s husband, a middle aged man wearing Lungi (traditional Bengali male attire) and Gamcha (handmade traditional cotton towel). Being in a rural area, close to nature and meeting these modest people reminded me of my childhood in my grandparents’ village. Jahanara (pseudonym for my respondent) introduced us to her sons and mother-in-law and we started the interview with her and her husband. In the interview, which lasted about an hour, Jahanara gave me comprehensive explanations about her decision to migrate, her life as a female migrant worker in Middle Eastern countries, the reasons for her return and the impact of migration on her family’s well-being. Although some parts of our talk had been heart- touching, it ended in a very good atmosphere and Jahanara’s family even invited us to join them for the iftar (evening meal at the end of the fasting day). Unfortunately, we had to decline as we had appointments with some other respondents. Reviewing the records and notes of this first interview in the car increased my enthusiasm and curiosity to hear the migration experiences of these women. Undoubtedly, Jahanara’s story was a perfect kick-off for my fieldwork. The rest of the day was spent on roads and conducting two other interviews. Eventually, we managed to come back to Dhaka on time for the iftar with our families. E xchange to change S eptember 2017