“I grew up and want to come to the United States.” | Interview with Anonymous Industrial Engineer

This anonymous interviewee is an industrial engineer who works in Silicon Valley. They reflect on their immigration to the United States from Taiwan, lifestyle changes during the pandemic, and cultural differences between Taiwan and the United States. They conclude by expressing their belief that the second generation of Asian Americans have the power to bridge cultural gaps.

Access the full transcript here

Keywords: COVID-19, Asian American, anti-Asian hate, model minority, education, workplace, engineer, Taiwan, China, cultural differences, masks

Index

00:00:15          Consent

00:02:10          Background, immigration from Taiwan, education

00:04:38          Reasons for immigration, culture differences between Taiwan and United States

00:12:20          Lifestyle changes due to pandemic

00:14:27          Colleagues in workplace, wearing masks

00:24:54          Politicization of pandemic, covering up severity in the media

00:27:46          Increased anti-Asian sentiment during pandemic

00:31:17          Reflecting on model minority myth

00:38:00          Thoughts on China and Taiwan, culture differences

00:47:12          Exercising during pandemic, not being concerned about family’s safety

00:54:35          Second generation having power, bridging culture gaps