15 interviews
I chose to conduct ethnographic research on international and domestic students and staff living in Ohio and abroad, specifically belonging to East Asian descent. Although there is a general increase of xenophobia in the United States, I wanted to focus on East Asians because this group is the one is perceived the most ambiguously among the American consciousness. Ethnographic research methods allowed me to understand my contributors and record their experiences in a conversational manner. Following the interviews, I was able to compile a list of themes and common stories regarding the shared experiences during the pandemic from the perspective of a diverse group of Asian identities.
The interviews took place from December 6, 2021, to February 21, 2022 in Wooster, Ohio for in person interviews, and on Zoom for virtual interviews. Participants in my study were all individuals belonging to Asian, and more specifically East Asian descent. While all participants shared the common background of spending a period of their time in the United States during the pandemic, each participant had characteristic and backgrounds unique to their identity. These backgrounds and differing demographics shaped participant responses during the interviews.
The purpose of sharing the individual backgrounds of my contributors is to highlight the different nationalities, and diverse demographics that make up the term “Asian,” or more specifically “East Asian.” So often is this term thrown around, and pluralized, and even using it to frame this study has proved as a difficult category, because it encompasses a much larger group of people who have diverging identities and experiences.
Each contributor was asked a series of 16 interview questions, and their responses were recorded and transcribed in order to be preserved and shared on this website.
The interviews took place from December 6, 2021, to February 21, 2022 in Wooster, Ohio for in person interviews, and on Zoom for virtual interviews. Participants in my study were all individuals belonging to Asian, and more specifically East Asian descent. While all participants shared the common background of spending a period of their time in the United States during the pandemic, each participant had characteristic and backgrounds unique to their identity. These backgrounds and differing demographics shaped participant responses during the interviews.
The purpose of sharing the individual backgrounds of my contributors is to highlight the different nationalities, and diverse demographics that make up the term “Asian,” or more specifically “East Asian.” So often is this term thrown around, and pluralized, and even using it to frame this study has proved as a difficult category, because it encompasses a much larger group of people who have diverging identities and experiences.
Each contributor was asked a series of 16 interview questions, and their responses were recorded and transcribed in order to be preserved and shared on this website.
15 stories
Alicia She/Her/Hers
My name is Alicia, and I am class of 2022 at The College of Wooster. I am a sociology and early childhood education double major. I am from Chicago, IL, (USA) and my favorite animal is a panda. |
Anna She/Her/Hers
Hello, I'm Anna. I am a staff member at The College of Wooster. However, back at home I was an actor and film star. I am from Wuhan, China, and my favorite food is 清蒸鱸魚 (Chingzheng Luyu). |
Sarah She/Her/Hers
Hi, I'm Sarah. I am class of 2024, majoring in chemistry at The College of Wooster. My hometown is in Virginia, (USA), and my favorite animal is a polar bear. I enjoy spending time outdoors. |
Zhongting Unspecified
My name is Zhongting, and I am class of 2025. I am an English major at The College of Wooster, and my hometown is in Beijing, China. One of my favorite foods is 红烧牛肉面 (Hongshao Niurou Mian). I am a good person. |
Naomi She/Her/Hers
Hi, you can call me Naomi. I am class of 2023, and an anthropology major at The College of Wooster. I am from Ohio, (USA). During the beginning of the pandemic in 2019, I enjoyed making cookies with my family. |
WeiDi She/Her/Hers
Hello, my name is Weidi and I am class of 2021 at The College of Wooster. I majored in global international studies, and minored in music. I am from Kunming, Yunnan, China, and my favorite food is mango. |
Zhenze He/Him/His
Hi, I am Zhenze. I am class of 2023 , and a business economics major at The College of Wooster. My hometown is in Zhengzhou, Henan, China. |
Moro She/Her/Hers
Nice to meet you! I'm Moro. I am class of 2022, and a global and international studies major with a focus in political science at The College of Wooster. I have multiple hometowns. |
Siyan He/Him/His
Hello, I am Siyan. I am class of 2023, and I am a global and international studies major with a focus on economics at The College of Wooster. I am from Kunming, Yunnan Province in China. My favorite food is 过桥米线 (guoqiao mixian). |
Karen She/Her/Hers
Hi, I'm Karen. I am class of 2022, and a computer science major and studio art minor at The College of Wooster. I am from Japan and Vietnam. My favorite foods are sushi, any noodle dish, and spring rolls. My favourite hobbies are drawing and painting. |
Little Orange Unspecified
Hello, I am Little Orange. I am class of 2022, majoring in business economics at College of Wooster. I am from Urad Front Banner (aka Urad Qianqi) My favorite animals are cute cats and pigs. During the pandemic my favorite foods are noodles and dumplings. |
Xuan He/Him/His
Hi, I am Xuan. I am class of 2023, majoring in mathematics at The College of Wooster. I am from Henan, China. My favorite animal is a panda. |
DSM Unspecified
Hello I am DSM. I am class of 2025, and I am from China. My favorite foods consist of dishes that are made during the Chinese New Year, including steamed prawns, braised pork, and bok choi among other dishes. |
Zoombi He/Him/His
Hello, you can call me Zoombi. I am class of 2022 at The College of Wooster. My hometown isn't specifically noted. if you listen, or read through my interview, you will basically understand the general area. My favorite animal is a jellyfish. |
Eric (Zimu) He/Him/His
Hi, I'm Eric. I am class of 2024. I am a psychology major at The College of Wooster. I am from Beijing, China. My favorite animal is a panda, and Batman is my favorite superhero. |