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The Lao American Diaspora and its Changing Relations with the Ethnic Homeland

Indavong, Vongchanh
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1248808797

Abstract Details

2009, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, International Development Studies (International Studies).
This thesis research examines how Lao Americans have maintained their relations with family members and relatives in Laos after their settlement in the U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s and how their views of the home country have changed in the Post-Cold War period. Six weeks of participant observation fieldwork and in-depth personal interviews with members of the Lao diaspora community in Columbus, Ohio revealed that since the end of the Cold War, their connection to the homeland has changed dramatically, as they have finally been allowed to visit Laos. However, their current socio-economic status in the U.S. and prior relations with the homeland government explain individual differences in their decision to visit the homeland. Many Lao American diaspora people are involved in one of the three types of homeland -- diasporas connections that include, expanding familial and financial obligations, social networks and business opportunities, and involvement with transnational and humanitarian projects in Laos.
Yeong-Hyun Kim, PhD (Committee Chair)
Jie Li LI, PhD (Committee Member)
Gene Ammarell, PhD (Committee Member)
112 p.
Geography; International Relations; Sociology
Homeland; Home visiting; Lao American Diaspora; Refugees; Laos

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Indavong, V. (2009). The Lao American Diaspora and its Changing Relations with the Ethnic Homeland [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1248808797

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Indavong, Vongchanh. The Lao American Diaspora and its Changing Relations with the Ethnic Homeland. 2009. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1248808797.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Indavong, Vongchanh. "The Lao American Diaspora and its Changing Relations with the Ethnic Homeland." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1248808797

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1248808797
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© 2009, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.