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First- and Second-Generation Asian Americans in Ohio

A Better Toledo Program

Learn about the history behind the experiences of many first- and second-generations of Asian Americans in Ohio.

The program will discuss the history of Asian Americans in Ohio and the differences and similarities of first-generation and second-generation experiences of Asian Americans in Ohio.

Asian Americans from different countries come to America at different periods for various reasons: some came as refugees, some sought political asylum, some came as international students, and some came as family members of immigrants. Yet they share a lot of common experiences and encounter the same Asian stereotypes. The workshop will refer to the many Asian Americans' experiences as international students who gradually call America home to pursue their American dream. They will share the positives and negatives in their experience as first-generation immigrants. In addition, the workshop will also call upon the second-generation Asian Americans to share their experiences as Asian Americans growing up in Ohio with representatives from Aware Ohio’s Youth Advisory Board.

The workshop leader, Louisa Ha, will invite two Bangladeshi international graduate students as discussion leaders. They will share their experiences of their first year in Bowling Green, Ohio, and the challenges faced by other South Asian international students here, as they become the fastest-growing Asian American group in Ohio. 

The workshop will encourage the participants to share their experiences and stories, either as first-generation immigrants or second-generation born and raised in Ohio, with a focus on challenges they faced and how to overcome these challenges through pan-Asian solidarity and active participation in community affairs to build a better Toledo.

This event is presented by the the Institute for the Study of Culture & Society (ICS) and AWARE OHIO.

Established in 1996, ICS is a public humanities hub at Bowling Green State University. Their aim is to encourage innovation in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, and to communicate the value and significance of that work to the wider public. The vision of ICS is to make the world more equitable, just, and inclusive. ICS strives to be a place where nuanced conversation and meaningful connections are made, and where complexity and ambiguity are valued.

AWARE (Advocacy and Workshops for Asian American Rights and Empowerment) OHIO is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to uplifting the voices and stories of Asian Americans in Ohio. Through a collaborative approach, they foster critical awareness, civic participation, media literacy, and collective action within the Asian American community.