How I Got Here

How I Got Here

10 Episodes

Combining the intimacy of familial history and the humor of grown up parent/child dynamics, How I Got Here is a powerfully entertaining and moving series where second gen children accompany their parents back to their country of origin, to relive the sacrifice, struggle and dramatic circumstances that led to their families coming to North America. This is an emotional and transformational journey connecting people to their roots, their culture, and their family.

How I Got Here
  • Zimbabwe - She Has Arrived

    Episode 1

    Fikile travels from her west coast, suburban hometown to her father, Bangane's, homeland in Zimbabwe. They make this journey together for the first time, and Bangane takes his daughter to the roots of their family to teach her their stories, their way of living and the Ndebele culture. Fikile str...

  • Italy - Making Peace and Pizza

    Episode 2

    Italian Canadian, Michael, goes to Italy for the very first time with his father, John. Though John returns to his Italian homeland frequently, he has never taken his son. And while Michael has gone on many travels of his own, he has never explored the country that has helped shape him. The pair ...

  • Zambia - Born For Greatness

    Episode 3

    Nelly and her 17 year old son, Manasseh, travel from their home in Texas to their homeland of Zambia. An accomplished woman, Nelly seeks to revel in her home country and show her son the beauty, and difficulties, tied to her past in Zambia. They broach a hurdle in their relationship and, through ...

  • Serbia - Two Rivers Intertwined

    Episode 4

    Sasa returns to Serbia for the first time in almost 30 years after escaping rising wartime tensions for a better life. While exploring the country with his son, Sebastian, Sasa revisits the places closest to him, like the apartment he grew up in, and the people, like his three best friends he lef...

  • Zimbabwe - Like Time Stood Still

    Episode 5

    Shaun travels to Zimbabwe to revisit the life he left behind over thirty years ago. He faces conflicting thoughts between the land he loves and the shifting political climate that forced him to leave. His daughter, Shannon, joins him on this journey with her own goal of embracing her personal ide...

  • Slovakia - My Mom, The Mountain Goat

    Episode 6

    Having escaped her home country of Slovakia during a time of oppression, Simona returns to reflect on her past and rekindle with the people and places she left behind. Simona returns with her daughter, Vivian, to explore their Slovak heritage and, together, process the loss of Simona's mother, Vi...

  • Ghana - That Name That You Live

    Episode 7

    Doris travels back to Ghana with her daughter, Shetin, to celebrate the lives of her parents and reflect on the impact her decision to leave for a new life in Canada had on her family. Shetin is eager to learn more of Ghana's history and hopes this journey will bolster her confidence in herself a...

  • Chile - A Tree and Its Roots

    Episode 8

    Ines travels back to Chile with her daughter, Carolina, to reflect on the different lives they live. Ines will reveal the weight of her past so her daughter may understand the challenges she faced during times of a dictatorship. She will introduce Carolina to the strong women in her family, and g...

  • Israel - Young Man, Walking Up

    Episode 9

    Maya travels to Israel with her son, Leo. There, she hopes to close a chapter in her life and impart in him the lessons she learned there. Living half her life in rural Japan and the other half on a Kibbutz in Israel, Maya was forced to adapt to conflicting customs and grow. Leo is ready to be th...

  • Mexico - I Belong To This Land

    Episode 10

    Alma returns to her homeland in rural Mexico with her teenaged daughter, Amanda on a journey of discovery and healing. They reconnect with Alma's family and finally, together, mourn the loss of her brother. Through traditional ceremonies and special family rituals, Alma and Amanda lead the family...