Authentic Stories
“Don’t go like me. Don’t come the way I did, if you do, find a safe way to do it”
“I’m in a mix of trying to be my own person and making my parents proud”
“It's not that difficult that we can have a decent job, that we can have dreams. That is possible”
“I kind of identify half and half with each country. I don't really feel like a full person for either country, which is fine”
“I’m not trying to be the most American I can be. I belong to my own category of existing”
“You start looking at yourself and think about how if you are a human, then other people who are different than you deserve the same respect”
“I always thought it was interesting growing up with stories of how my family moved around, and we had different cultures. Now I have my own story”
“I'm very thankful for the life that my parents helped mold for me. Even with all the trials and tribulations and all that, there were many positives that came with it”
“Figure out how to be part of society but also maintain my own unique identity and culture”
“A lot is lost when you are a first-gen, and I want to preserve as much as possible”
“There was nothing left for us, so we had to take a chance”
“Their migration experience has helped shape my aspirations but in different ways than most people would think”
“This Whole Journey Shaped Me into Who I Am and Who I’m Supposed to be”
“Migration opens your vision of the world”
“Take pride in your story and don’t be afraid to share it”
“My son was my biggest strength. You always want to do things for your kids to be proud of”
“My life is more interesting because I'm an immigrant. Even though it was hard growing up, I feel like I wouldn't trade it for the world”
“Love your culture, love who you are, don’t let anyone take it away from you. Stick to your roots”
“I see America as a place of opportunity and also freedom in comparison to my life in Vietnam”
