Interview with Sebastiano Voicu
Date8 March 2026
Mediumborn digital audio file
DimensionsDuration: 1 Hours, 3 Minutes, 34 Seconds
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
Credit LineCommunity History Project Collection
DescriptionAudio file of interview with Sebastiano Voicu. He was interviewed by Emmanuel Gezahegne Mitikie on March 8, 2026 in Hartford, Connecticut.
Sebastiano Voicu was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History's Community History Project discussing moments of change in his life.
Sebastiano Voicu shares details about his academic pursuits at Trinity College, his multicultural background as half Italian and half Romanian, and his experiences living in Italy, Romania, the UK, and now the U.S. He also mentions his passions for aviation, cooking, puzzles, and chess, providing a snapshot of his identity and interests as he sees himself today. Sebastiano is asked to reflect on the concept of change, leading him to highlight his move to the U.S. as a significant personal transformation, especially the shift to living independently and managing daily routines without family support. He emphasizes the importance of personal change as a prerequisite for broader societal change, noting that society is ultimately composed of individuals whose transformations collectively drive progress.
The conversation delves into Sebastiano's multicultural upbringing, frequent moves between Italy and Romania, and the resulting fluid concept of home. He explains that home is more about people than physical places. Sebastiano describes feeling more Romanian in Italy and more Italian in Romania, highlighting a sense of perpetual in-betweenness. Coming to the U.S. provided a fresh start, allowing him to build a new sense of home and belonging, even in a place where he had no roots or family.
Sebastiano discusses his motivations for applying to colleges in the U.S., citing the appeal of the American educational system's flexibility and the opportunity to explore different academic interests. He also shares personal reasons, including a desire for a fresh start away from family issues and difficulties integrating into his previous communities. The U.S. represented both an intimidating and exciting opportunity to reinvent himself and take control of his own life and choices. Prompted to reflect on his pre-U.S. self, Sebastiano describes his dual interests in STEM and the arts, his introverted nature, and his tendency to observe and reflect on people and life. He recalls spending time alone, writing poetry, and engaging in self-analysis, partly due to challenging social environments in school.
While he misses aspects of his former self, such as his creativity and introspection, he acknowledges that he would not want to return to that period. Sebastiano notes increased confidence, self-acceptance, and improved social integration, attributing some of these changes to the more open and less family-based social structures in the U.S. However, he also observes a shift toward materialism and a loss of depth in his thinking, leading to nostalgia for his earlier, more creative and reflective self. He also reflects on how American society, while materially supportive, may not intellectually encourage creativity, making artistic pursuits more challenging.
Sebastiano concludes with reflections on the challenging times faced by his generation, including the loss of peace and growing feelings of hopelessness. He emphasizes the need for inner reflection, strong values, and community solidarity in the face of adversity. Sebastiano expresses hope that people will recognize their shared values and come together, believing that unity and mutual support are essential for overcoming difficulties and leaving a lasting legacy.
Sebastiano Voicu was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History's Community History Project discussing moments of change in his life.
Sebastiano Voicu shares details about his academic pursuits at Trinity College, his multicultural background as half Italian and half Romanian, and his experiences living in Italy, Romania, the UK, and now the U.S. He also mentions his passions for aviation, cooking, puzzles, and chess, providing a snapshot of his identity and interests as he sees himself today. Sebastiano is asked to reflect on the concept of change, leading him to highlight his move to the U.S. as a significant personal transformation, especially the shift to living independently and managing daily routines without family support. He emphasizes the importance of personal change as a prerequisite for broader societal change, noting that society is ultimately composed of individuals whose transformations collectively drive progress.
The conversation delves into Sebastiano's multicultural upbringing, frequent moves between Italy and Romania, and the resulting fluid concept of home. He explains that home is more about people than physical places. Sebastiano describes feeling more Romanian in Italy and more Italian in Romania, highlighting a sense of perpetual in-betweenness. Coming to the U.S. provided a fresh start, allowing him to build a new sense of home and belonging, even in a place where he had no roots or family.
Sebastiano discusses his motivations for applying to colleges in the U.S., citing the appeal of the American educational system's flexibility and the opportunity to explore different academic interests. He also shares personal reasons, including a desire for a fresh start away from family issues and difficulties integrating into his previous communities. The U.S. represented both an intimidating and exciting opportunity to reinvent himself and take control of his own life and choices. Prompted to reflect on his pre-U.S. self, Sebastiano describes his dual interests in STEM and the arts, his introverted nature, and his tendency to observe and reflect on people and life. He recalls spending time alone, writing poetry, and engaging in self-analysis, partly due to challenging social environments in school.
While he misses aspects of his former self, such as his creativity and introspection, he acknowledges that he would not want to return to that period. Sebastiano notes increased confidence, self-acceptance, and improved social integration, attributing some of these changes to the more open and less family-based social structures in the U.S. However, he also observes a shift toward materialism and a loss of depth in his thinking, leading to nostalgia for his earlier, more creative and reflective self. He also reflects on how American society, while materially supportive, may not intellectually encourage creativity, making artistic pursuits more challenging.
Sebastiano concludes with reflections on the challenging times faced by his generation, including the loss of peace and growing feelings of hopelessness. He emphasizes the need for inner reflection, strong values, and community solidarity in the face of adversity. Sebastiano expresses hope that people will recognize their shared values and come together, believing that unity and mutual support are essential for overcoming difficulties and leaving a lasting legacy.
Object number2024.79.12
NotesSubject Note: The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History’s Community History Project (CHP) is a public-facing initiative, focused on contemporary collecting, gathering items of the recent past as well as from events happening today. This program developed community historians to identify, document, and preserve their experiences as residents of Connecticut, and to share these experiences during a series of community presentations. The project focused on the theme "Redefining Moments of Change." Conneticans share stories of people or events who have changed their lives or how they have sparked change in the lives of others.Cataloging Note: Digitization and access to this collection is supported by a Congressionally Directed grant through the U.S. Department of Education.
Subject Terms
- Hartford
- Oral history
- Interviews
- Oral narratives
- College students
- Italians
- Romanian people
- Bullying
- Culture shock
- Family
- Friendship
- Relationships
- Art
- Moving, Household
- Mental health
- Interviews and Oral Histories
- Born Digital Audio
- Community History Project U.S. Department of Education grant
- Redefining Moments of Change Collection
On View
Not on view
