05/31/2024
To cap off our AANHPI Heritage Month, Training Specialist Winnie Chang, shares the meaning of being a “1.5 generation immigrant”, her sense of belonging growing up in both America and Taiwan, and how she found a comfort zone between the two cultures.
What was it like for you growing up Asian American?
I come from an immigrant family and am considered a “1.5 generation immigrant”, meaning I was born overseas and moved to the states at a young age. Although I lived in a predominantly Asian neighborhood, it was difficult to find others who related to my Taiwanese culture. When my family would visit Taiwan, locals could immediately differentiate that my siblings and I were “foreigners” due to our slight accents. I was constantly feeling like I wasn’t “Asian enough” to be Asian and not “American enough” to be American. Over time, I eventually realized I didn’t have to fit in to any boxes, and I was able to create my own sense of identity through joining cultural organizations in school, participating in Taiwanese volunteer programs, and staying connected with my relatives back in Taiwan.
How has your heritage and culture shaped the person you are today?
When I was younger, I was able to visit my relatives and participate in summer camps in Taiwan. I’m very grateful that I was able to have these opportunities, as they helped me stay connected to my Taiwanese roots and I’m able to bring that into my daily life. One of my favorite things about Taiwan is the food, which is a large part of Taiwanese culture, and I’m always excited to share that with others as food is such a universal language. I was also able to find similarities and differences between Taiwanese and American society, which allowed me to see the world from different perspectives.
What does AANHPI Heritage Month mean to you?
It is a time for people to celebrate and learn more about our cultures, highlight our history and influence in America, and of course, to try our foods!
