For their son
Missouri, United States
Many Asian families, like Hana Yun and Se Yong Bae from Korea, come to America for better chances for their children. In their home country, there is a lot of competition for education and jobs, which leads families to look for more opportunities abroad. In the U.S., Hana and Se Yong are adjusting to life without help from grandparents, raising their son, Hugh, alone. In Korea, raising children often involves help from the extended family, but in America, they need to do it all themselves. While Western parents encourage independence early, Asian parents often focus on close, careful care. Hana and Se Yong want to give Hugh a strong start, even as they face challenges like high daycare costs and learning a new education system. They also recognize that their cultural identity could offer advantages, such as using international student identity to go back to their home country for excellent universities. This photo story captures the day-to-day experiences of the family as they navigate the challenges and joys of raising their young son, Hugh, in a foreign land.

