Oral History of Michelle Lu
Michelle Lu, a 22-year-old second-generation Vietnamese American, was born and raised in San Jose, California. She grew up immersed in the Vietnamese community, speaking the language fluently and participating in cultural traditions. As she moved away for college and work, she found herself having to share and teach her Vietnamese heritage to her non-Vietnamese friends and colleagues. While she has felt a strong connection to both her Vietnamese and American identities, she has also experienced some cultural clashes and a sense of disconnect at times. Looking to the future, Michelle hopes to pass on her Vietnamese language and traditions to her own children, though she acknowledges the challenge of maintaining that connection as she continues to live further away from the tight-knit Vietnamese community of her youth.
Title: Oral History of Michelle Lu
Contributor: Jane Cady, Michelle Nguyen
Contributing Institution: International Children Assistance Network
Date Created and/or Issued: 2025-12-11
Collection: 2nd Gen Vietnamese-American Oral History
Format: 1 PDF English Transcription, 1 M4a Audio File
Topics: Tradition and Customs | Refugee | Culture Conflict | Education | San Jose | Cultural Identity | Vietnamese American | Language | Ethnicity | Community
Language: English