Welcome to Resilient Interview, an initiative by Resilient Immigrant where we document the full truth of the immigrant journey, not just the challenges, but the resilience, strategy, and impact. By sharing your story, you're helping shape how immigrants are seen, understood, and remembered. Your story has the power to inspire, empower, and shift narratives.
In this feature, we highlight Laura Peruchi, a Brazilian-born journalist, communicator, and host of the podcast Transplants – Conversations with Women Abroad. Below is her complete, unedited interview detailing her journey from a small town of 7,000 in Southern Brazil to finding her voice and community in New York City.

Where are you from, and what year did you immigrate?

"I'm originally from Southern Brazil, from a tiny town named Meleiro, with a population of 7000 people. I immigrated in 2014. Living abroad was a dream my boyfriend (now husband) both shared and he ended up landing a job opportunity in NYC, so that's how we moved."

What do you do today, and how would you describe the contribution you are making?

"Currently, I'm working on a podcast called Transplants - Conversations with Women Abroad. This idea evolved from another podcast I had launched in 2019 and wrapped up a couple of years ago. On that show, I featured stories of Brazilians living abroad. Receiving messages about the stories was one of the favorite parts of my wee: "I feel I'm not alone". "I feel so inspired to chase my dreams". And I've always wanted to do something similar in English. I was like, can you imagine how many amazing stories are out there, waiting to be told? So, you can blame that and blame my curiosity about other people's stories - and how I like to use my work to inspire other people. And doing it in English comes from a genuine desire to "conquer the world" - inspiring more people, making my voice be heard, giving voice to amazing stories, and... trying something new, why not? And I decided to niche down to women because NYC is the place where I turned into a feminist, where I learned more about privileges, and where I learned more about genre disparity. I believe in our power, I believe we need to have our voices heard, and I believe there are many incredible women thriving in different countries and their stories can inspire other women to chase their dreams."

What moment or experience tested you the most during your immigrant journey? (Share a specific situation rather than a general challenge.)

"Our green card journey. As an H4 visa holder, I was dependent on my husband's visa, and I was not entitled to a work permit. I felt stuck. I didn't feel free. I was not free. And the GC process is not transparent at all. It's really hard to deal with the fact that you have no control whatsoever, and you don't know when your process is gonna be concluded. This has cost me several fights with my husband and affected our psychological in immeasurable ways."

What did you do differently that allowed you to move forward? (Think in terms of a decision, a mindset shift, or a specific action.)

"Going back to Brazil was not an option - not because we couldn't, but because we didn't want to. We had really found our place in New York City, and we were two young adults building our lives together and discovering the world. Also, I think one thing is going back because you want to, and you choose that path. Another one, completely different, is going back against your will. Somehow, I found ways to keep going, by talking - and crying - with friends and family, that were extremely supportive. Exploring the city also kept me busy and I also used the first years here to improve my English. And finally, I guess therapy never hurts..."

What has your immigrant background given you that you would never trade?

"Contemplating diversity. I grew up in a small town where everyone looked the same - and I never even realized that, because how can you possible notice that, when everybody around you is the same, has the same values, same references? We can grow so much by opening ourselves to learn about other cultures and realizing people have different ways to live life. Another thing I learned as an immigrant is being aware of my privileges and learning that I can't judge people based on my experiences or personal opinions only. People come from different backgrounds and upbringings, and that impacts their decisions and the risks they are willing to take."

What is an achievement you are proud of that people don't fully understand the weight behind? What did it actually take to get there?

"Perhaps this is because I'm a journalist and a communicator, but being able to work on projects in a language I wasn't born speaking means a lot to me. I've always loved writing, and it took me many years to feel comfortable writing in English. I won't say "confident," because I don't think I feel 100% confident yet. Maybe I never will. I remember when I finally decided to sign up for a Memoir Writing Workshop, after years of postponing the decision, because I felt I was not good enough. The same goes for hosting a podcast in English. It's incredible how much speaking and working in another language can affect your self-esteem. Sometimes I think about Sofia Vergara's famous line in Modern Family: "Do you know how smart I am in Spanish?" For me, it's more like, "Do you know how smart I am in Portuguese?". But I suppose the good thing is that I genuinely love learning, and over the years I've done my best to keep developing my skills. I believe that investing in knowledge is never a waste of time. Every course, every workshop, every conversation, and every challenge has helped me become a better communicator, not despite being an immigrant, but as one."

How are you actively shaping how immigrants are perceived through your work, leadership, or presence?

"I like to think that the women I put in the spotlight through my podcast are a way to show other immigrant women that first, they are not alone, and secondly, that they are capable of achieving incredible things - and that they should be really proud of themselves for getting this far. Leaving your country behind and start a new life in another country - no matter the circumstances - can never be taken for granted, especially in the days we are living. I hope these women know they are badasses for doing that (pardon my French)."

What do immigrant professionals need to hear early that they are almost never told?

"Insecurities will get in the way, so it's really important to take care of your mental health. The resources will vary depending on how much time and money you have, but you can always reach for tools that will help you to know yourself better and feel more confident. You will waste a lot of time figuring out things that don't even cross the mind of people that are not immigrant themselves. You will spend a lot of mental energy because of the language - that will get better with time, but when a different situation cross your path, you will find yourself looking up for words. And looking from the good side, it's not a bad thing, you will always be learning something new. You will also doubt yourself, you will probably feel like a failure a lot of times. All these things are completely normal and you should know you are not alone."

Describe your immigrant journey in one word.

"Intensity"

Complete this: "I am a Resilient Immigrant, and I belong where I...

"choose to build my life."

Laura’s journey illustrates the quiet courage required to build a life from scratch, master a new language, and step out of the shadows of dependency into self-determined leadership. By lifting up the unfiltered stories of women living abroad, she continues to prove that vulnerability, community, and radical honesty are what truly move us forward.
The Resilient Interview series is a living archive of identity, strategy, and unfiltered truth. Read more stories or submit your own journey to help us document how immigrant voices are shaping narratives across the globe.