Class
Article
College
Caine College of the Arts
Department
English Department
Faculty Mentor
Erin Hofmann
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
This study explores how a group of Latin American immigrants in Cache Valley connects to 'home' through material culture. We analyzed 16 interviews in NVivo with Latin American immigrants for the whats, hows, whys, and effects of object exchange between the immigrants in the U.S. and people in their country of origin. We found that this excahnge helps immigrants remember their roots, maintain interpersonal relationships in their countries of origin, and build interpersonal relationships in the U.S. These immigrants also discussed objects of sentimental value. Some represented memories of in their origin countries. Others represented new memories created in the U.S. and their creation of a new home here in Utah. Material culture helps these immigrants connect to 'home,' both in the U.S. and their countries of origin.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-8-2022 12:00 AM
Included in
Connections to Home: Immigrant Material Culture in Northern Utah
Logan, UT
This study explores how a group of Latin American immigrants in Cache Valley connects to 'home' through material culture. We analyzed 16 interviews in NVivo with Latin American immigrants for the whats, hows, whys, and effects of object exchange between the immigrants in the U.S. and people in their country of origin. We found that this excahnge helps immigrants remember their roots, maintain interpersonal relationships in their countries of origin, and build interpersonal relationships in the U.S. These immigrants also discussed objects of sentimental value. Some represented memories of in their origin countries. Others represented new memories created in the U.S. and their creation of a new home here in Utah. Material culture helps these immigrants connect to 'home,' both in the U.S. and their countries of origin.