Whenever I see a standard paper map, my face displays total confusion, and I sit there wondering how a person can use such a thing to locate where they are and determine the path they have to take to get somewhere. This is the map my parents used during their time in America to get around. They immigrated to America from Vietnam to start a new life. They did not know any English or anything about America, but somehow, they made it.

This map shows how hard and confusing it had to be for them when they immigrated to America, but they never gave up. They slowly learned English, self-taught themselves many things, got jobs to support their lives, and bought a home for themselves. This part about never giving up is a very important part of the Chinese culture and is also a very important part of me too. 

I don’t know the struggle my parents had to go through in their life to be able to even immigrate and succeed in America, but I do know how: hard work and perseverance. I am very grateful that they did all of this to be able to make my life easier and better and also for passing down the mindset that I should always work hard for something that I want. This map is just a symbol that with hard work, you can understand anything and be able to get where you want to go in life.

– Kevin Lam

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant