An Immigrant Story
Immigration Coalition of the Quad Cities
Yen's story is the first in a series of stories about local immigrants that will be appearing on the QCIMBY (Quad Cities In My Back Yard) Facebook page. These stories are also available in the Immigration Coalition QC Substack email. Please subscribe here.
Yen Dao immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam at age 7 with her mom and four older siblings to join Yen's father, who worked multiple jobs to bring them to their new home. “My parents wanted us to have a chance at freedom and education,” said Yen, now 41 and thriving in her education career and volunteerism in the Quad Cities.
Name: Yen Dao
Age: 41
Family: I have a son, four siblings and their children, and my dad. My mother passed away five years ago.
Residence: Bettendorf
Native country: Vietnam
Occupation/Volunteer or School: High School Staff Member
When did you immigrate to the United States? 1992
What motivated your decision to immigrate? My parents wanted us to have a chance at freedom and education. Since I was seven, I didn’t have a say in whether I wanted to go.
Who accompanied you when you immigrated to the U.S.? My mom and four older siblings accompanied me to the US. My dad was already in the US working multiple jobs to save enough money to bring us over.
Why did you choose the Quad Cities area for your new home? We landed in Des Moines first. I moved to the Quad Cities because my sister was already here.
What language or languages did you speak when you arrived in the U.S.? Vietnamese
If English is not your first language, how did you become more familiar with English? I learned English while I was in school. The fact that I had to use English all the time helped me become more familiar with it.
How were you treated when you first arrived in the Quad Cities area? I didn’t notice how I was treated when I first arrived to the QC. However, there was a large gathering at the airport when I arrived in Des Moines to welcome my family to the US. I definitely felt out of place and an outsider while at school because I didn’t know the language.
How did get more involved in life in the Quad Cities area? I became more involved and met more people by joining the Quad Cities Tennis Meetup group over 13 years ago. Shortly after I joined, the organizer moved and needed someone to take over the role. I have been the organizer for QC Tennis Meetup ever since. Later, I joined the Quad Cities Pickleball Club and became involved with running leagues and tournaments. I also participate in neighborhood gatherings to meet more people around me.
What work, volunteer activities, children’s activities and/or hobbies keep you engaged? I work at a high school to help students with disabilities prepare for life after high school. Outside of work, I stay involved with the tennis and pickleball community. My interest in gardening has helped me meet many neighbors as they walk by my property.
What gives you the most joy? I love working in my garden! I’m constantly working on my garden and look forward to seeing new growth.
What challenges have you navigated as an immigrant? Language barrier was the most difficult part to navigate as an immigrant. This affected my ability to make friends and perform well in school. When I was at home, my parents expected me to speak Vietnamese so I wouldn’t forget it. I wasn’t allowed to speak English. It made the process to learn English a little slower at first. I’m grateful that my parents insisted I speak Vietnamese only because I do retain most of it compared to my peers.
Who are your mentors, the people you admire most? I admire my parents the most. My parents showed me the value of hard work, perseverance, and honesty. My mother had a 9th grade education and raised her five children on her own while my dad worked in the US to bring all of us over. With limited English, they were still able to provide us with what we needed by working multiple jobs, saving money, and teaching us valuable lessons. I can attribute my love for gardening from my dad, who is a master gardener.
What gives you hope? I think people in general are good and kind to others. I see this every day with the teachers, counselors, admins and neighbors I interact with.
What is your favorite quote, motto or religious verse? Treat others the way they want to be treated.
Allison Ambrose
Yen's story is the first in a series of stories about local immigrants that will be appearing on the QCIMBY (Quad Cities In My Back Yard) Facebook page. These stories are also available in the Immigration Coalition QC Substack email. Please subscribe here.
Yen Dao immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam at age 7 with her mom and four older siblings to join Yen's father, who worked multiple jobs to bring them to their new home. “My parents wanted us to have a chance at freedom and education,” said Yen, now 41 and thriving in her education career and volunteerism in the Quad Cities.
Name: Yen Dao
Age: 41
Family: I have a son, four siblings and their children, and my dad. My mother passed away five years ago.
Residence: Bettendorf
Native country: Vietnam
Occupation/Volunteer or School: High School Staff Member
When did you immigrate to the United States? 1992
What motivated your decision to immigrate? My parents wanted us to have a chance at freedom and education. Since I was seven, I didn’t have a say in whether I wanted to go.
Who accompanied you when you immigrated to the U.S.? My mom and four older siblings accompanied me to the US. My dad was already in the US working multiple jobs to save enough money to bring us over.
Why did you choose the Quad Cities area for your new home? We landed in Des Moines first. I moved to the Quad Cities because my sister was already here.
What language or languages did you speak when you arrived in the U.S.? Vietnamese
If English is not your first language, how did you become more familiar with English? I learned English while I was in school. The fact that I had to use English all the time helped me become more familiar with it.
How were you treated when you first arrived in the Quad Cities area? I didn’t notice how I was treated when I first arrived to the QC. However, there was a large gathering at the airport when I arrived in Des Moines to welcome my family to the US. I definitely felt out of place and an outsider while at school because I didn’t know the language.
How did get more involved in life in the Quad Cities area? I became more involved and met more people by joining the Quad Cities Tennis Meetup group over 13 years ago. Shortly after I joined, the organizer moved and needed someone to take over the role. I have been the organizer for QC Tennis Meetup ever since. Later, I joined the Quad Cities Pickleball Club and became involved with running leagues and tournaments. I also participate in neighborhood gatherings to meet more people around me.
What work, volunteer activities, children’s activities and/or hobbies keep you engaged? I work at a high school to help students with disabilities prepare for life after high school. Outside of work, I stay involved with the tennis and pickleball community. My interest in gardening has helped me meet many neighbors as they walk by my property.
What gives you the most joy? I love working in my garden! I’m constantly working on my garden and look forward to seeing new growth.
What challenges have you navigated as an immigrant? Language barrier was the most difficult part to navigate as an immigrant. This affected my ability to make friends and perform well in school. When I was at home, my parents expected me to speak Vietnamese so I wouldn’t forget it. I wasn’t allowed to speak English. It made the process to learn English a little slower at first. I’m grateful that my parents insisted I speak Vietnamese only because I do retain most of it compared to my peers.
Who are your mentors, the people you admire most? I admire my parents the most. My parents showed me the value of hard work, perseverance, and honesty. My mother had a 9th grade education and raised her five children on her own while my dad worked in the US to bring all of us over. With limited English, they were still able to provide us with what we needed by working multiple jobs, saving money, and teaching us valuable lessons. I can attribute my love for gardening from my dad, who is a master gardener.
What gives you hope? I think people in general are good and kind to others. I see this every day with the teachers, counselors, admins and neighbors I interact with.
What is your favorite quote, motto or religious verse? Treat others the way they want to be treated.
Allison Ambrose
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