Category Archives: Asia

Choosing California for its Diversity (Taiwan)

  He answered my questions while eating his favorite Taiwanese Boroh bread from his favorite Taiwanese bakery. The story started at his age of 30. At the age of 30, my dad’s name was still Jyhgwo Chang, a traditional Taiwanese name. After he became a U.S. citizen, he added a middle name Benson and change his name to Jyhgwo Benson ... Read More »

How Clean the Streets and Drivers Follow Rules Here

  My mother lived in Kerala, a region in South India.  She talked about the luscious green trees and plants surrounding her house. The bumpy roads and noisy auto rickshaws passed by at night. She said, “I lived a normal life. I come from a middle-class family, which in India is just enough to live well.” She described her family ... Read More »

Chinese-American Community Makes Immigration Easier

            My mother is Amy Li (name changed), who grows up in China. She has immigrated to the United States in 1996 and started her new life in Boston. This is her American story. She told me that the experience of immigration led her to see the wider world and meet more kind people. In ... Read More »

From Chennai, India to the Silicon Valley

I will share the story of my handsome husband, NK (who prefers to go by his initials only), and his immigration to the United States. NK immigrated in 1999 from Chennai, India, when he was 29. He began his life in the USA, in Sunnyvale, CA. Much of his education was in English, so speaking the language was natural for ... Read More »

Caretaker from Indonesia

Introduction:  This project inspired me to learn more deeply about one of the people that has become such a massive help to my family over the past few years. Bridget came into my family’s lives when my grandfather was diagnosed with dementia. She is one of two full-time caregivers but has also become a symbolic member of the family. While ... Read More »

Civil War in China Necessitates Escape

What was your family situation like where you were from? Respondent: My family was large and wealthy. My father was employed in a public office, which meant that he was in a position to provide for a large family.  What was your family situation like then when you came here? Respondent: My family faced a political tragedy as my father ... Read More »

Homesick But Found an Income (India)

Khushwinder (name changed for anonymity) was happy to talk about his life. He said “I am feeling like a celebrity doing this interview. Nobody has interviewed me before. I am feeling very special.” I was also happy to see him ready for this interview. Then I asked him how his family was and where he belonged from. He started talking ... Read More »

Refugee Family From Laos Start Grocery Store

My family had to flee Laos which at the time when it was a war torn country. At that time my father planned the best escape that he could under the circumstances. You see we were a family of five with three children under the age of four. None of the groups wanted to wait so long because no one ... Read More »

Meteorologist from India

  We arrived in lovely Laramie, Wyoming, so my father could obtain his Ph.D. in meteorology. Yes, we stayed there until the completion of his degree, and then we moved to greener pastures. Quite literally there was no green and Laramie. It was either frozen or dirty, thank you very much. Then we moved to Mexico. My father was a ... Read More »

Engineer with Hong Kong Roots at County Building Dept.

Tom Chiu is a first-generation immigrant who has lived in the Bay Area for more than 40 years. He is currently a resident of San Jose. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Chiu came to the U.S. on a F1 student Visa after graduating from high school.  Tom later graduated from San José State University. His career path has been ... Read More »