My Story as an Immigrant
As an international student relocating to the United States from Vietnam, I often yearn to hear stories from others in the same shoes. So, with today's blog post, I want to share my story—my truth and my why—to help and connect with others who are going through the same experience and celebrate Immigrants Heritage Month.
I relocated to Texas to obtain my Bachelor's degree at a liberal arts college in 2017. The college was based in a small town, so there were not many Vietnamese international students or Vietnamese restaurants to help the transition feel easier. So, my initial years in the States were my adapting phase—where I focused on learning a new language, finding friends, getting used to new customs, and building a new life. If you have ever relocated to a new country, you would understand the difficulties of adjusting, family separation, perceptions of racial discrimination, and how the migration process impacts resilience, well-being, and mental health. Fortunately, the transition became smoother as time went on, and I found myself in tribes that helped me through it all.
Before diving into the unfavorable facets of being an immigrant, I want to identify the positive part of studying abroad that I genuinely appreciate. Growing up in South Vietnam, I couldn't find the courage to pursue what I wanted to do in terms of a career. My parents of Chinese heritage were business owners, and I knew they would disapprove of my decision to venture into the creative and psychology field. It wasn't until I moved away from home and exposed myself to a new environment in the States that I considered the possibility and allowed myself to explore my most sincere interest.
While in college, I pursued a double major in Art and Psychology, which allowed me to advance my artistic eye and design skills while researching and learning about social stigmas, human behavior, and mental processes. In my fourth and final year of college, I tapped into my creative self and thoroughly enjoyed graphic design and illustration. That year, I had the privilege to create a regional advertising campaign for Planned Parenthood, titled "This space is for you," that speaks directly to the Gen Z BIPOC while highlighting Planned Parenthood's expert care and services in an authentic and inclusive manner. Essentially, the campaign conveys that all patients—regardless of race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status—have a safe space at Planned Parenthood.
It was then that I realized my desire to develop further as a creative professional—a designer with a solution-driven mindset and an illustrator with a love for visual storytelling
Billboard produced by KNOCK inc.
I was also at that moment that I knew I was embarking on a challenging path as an immigrant. Peers and alumni on the same journey often say that pursuing STEM is the safest route as an immigrant on an F-1 visa. This is because not many companies and organizations are willing to sponsor international students for a work visa or green card if they major or specialize in art or graphic design. So, while it might be satisfying to explore my interests during my undergraduate career, there is always the fear that there will be no return on my or my parents' investment in my education.
Despite all that, I still chose to go for it and dedicated myself to being the best I could be with the intent of finding a company that would take a chance on me. Thankfully, I did. Getting a job at KNOCK inc. as an art director and designer was a huge step forward, not only in my career but in life. It was my chance to represent the unrepresented and bring my perspective to a world dominated by people who look nothing like me. It was a chance for me to go for the unconventional course.
I am currently going through the long process of obtaining my legal documents with the grace of my employer. While I still have a long way to go, I take pride in how far I've come from where I started, and I'm proud of that.
Immigrants are Essential
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of DACA and Immigrants Heritage Month, I was commissioned to create an illustration for the "Immigrants are Essential" campaign led by the National Immigration Law Center and Resilience Force. The campaign is dedicated to uplifting the stories and importance of immigrant essential workers.
When I created this piece, I was inspired by an event that occurred in 2015: thousands of immigrants sent flowers to DHS after it reversed its decision to let visa-holding immigrants apply for a green card. I want this piece to serve as a reminder that immigrants are fighting for citizenship every day and that we deserve to be paid, protected, and respected.
"Our community deserves stability in the place that we call home. We deserve full inclusion & not arbitrary cut-off dates that leave out our youngest community members. We deserve citizenship & access to basic human rights."
– Diana Pliego
