Kim Yang: Becoming Minnesotan

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Kim Yang, c. 2000.

Kim Yang was born Va Vang in 1969 in Long Cheng, Laos. Her family immigrated to the U.S. in April 1980 from Ban Vinai (Npaab Vib Nais) refugee camp in Thailand, when Kim was 11. She finished high school and studied computer programming for six months. At the time of the interview she had been married for fifteen years and had five children. Also at that time she worked as a computer programmer; her duties included adapting digital forms to make them easier for the Hmong to use.

Full interview

  • Full name - Kim Yang
  • Age - 31
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  • Date of interview - 12.01.1999
  • Gender - Female
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  • Generation - First Generation American / Refugee
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  • Narrator Name Audio Clip:
    audio/mpeg iconKim Yang
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Stories by Kim Yang
Story Title Theme Topic Tags
Early marriages. Life in the Old Country Traditions & Values Gender Roles, Marriage
My father thought that if he took us to this country then we would have the chance to get more education. Coming to America Push & Pull Factors Education, Freedom
My mother decided that we must move out. Coming to America Push & Pull Factors Escape, Politics, War
Regardless of if you were boys or girls, education is very important. Life in the Old Country Traditions & Values Education, Family, Gender Roles
There was loneliness in us because all our friends and relatives were not here with us. Becoming Americans Assimilation Family, Language, New Immigrant Experiences, Ties to Homeland
We got to come and live in this great country. Becoming Americans Opportunities in America Citizenship, Freedom, Identity
We were poor not only the outside, but also the inside. Coming to America Push & Pull Factors Politics, Refugee Camps, War
Women were doing everything they could to help out in spite of the dangers and hardships during the war. Life in the Old Country Traditions & Values Family, Gender Roles, War, Work
 
 
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