Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It is a month-long celebration and acknowledgement of the historical and cultural contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made for the United States. Here at Hope Hospice, we are honoring the members of our team who are part of this wonderful community by highlighting their stories.

1. Why did you decide to move to the United States?

Regie: “My whole family was here at the time and to further my education.”

Rose: “To have better opportunities and to be with my sister and her family.”

Lally: “I was petitioned by my now husband for a fiance visa. I decided to move here so we can be together and also to get better opportunities.”

2. What were the biggest changes you had to adapt to when you first came here?

Reggie: “You cannot just go to your neighbor’s house without calling them first. Coming here with your family but no friends was very sad for me. Working in a company/environment where no one speaks your native language.”

Rose: “The environment, weather, and culture.”

Lally: “For me, the biggest change is the culture. Although my husband’s family was here to help me adapt to the culture/life here in the U.S., I still had difficulty learning and adapting, as well as with the language barrier. I also had difficulty coping with being away from my own family.”

3. What does being an Asian American/Pacific Islander mean to you?

Reggie: “I’m proud of my heritage and to be able to represent my country.”

Rose: “I am proud to be Asian American and it gives me the opportunity to represent our country in different ways and with my achievements.”

Lally: “For me, being an Asian American means you have an opportunity to learn and adapt to both cultures without disrespecting one or the other. It also helps improve your knowledge as a person as you go and find out the difference between both cultures.”