About Franz Strasser
In 1998, I visited the United States for the very first time as a teenager traveling along the West Coast.
I then returned as an exchange student in 2001 for one year to live and study at an American high school in northern Florida.
Ever since the first visit, this country has had a certain effect on me - so much of an effect that I chose American Studies as a field of study at my German university and New York as the place to receive my graduate degree.
Now I work and live permanently in Washington, DC, and get the chance to talk to recent fellow immigrants about their experiences thus far in the US.
I want to highlight the diversity of this country with stories from and about immigrant pockets across the nation.
What is America all about today? What and how are these new immigrant groups contributing to society? How are they shaping the country's identity?
I want to know how they view themselves in this ever growing mix of cultures that is the United States of America.
This trip is supposed to tell America something about itself that it did not know before - about the makeup of its society, about the dreams and fears of its newest members.
The blog will be updated constantly, and you can follow along on , and to get even more updates.
I want to read about your experiences as well, so feel free to share them on any of these outlets, or in the comments section below. I'll be sure to check them frequently.
I'm 
Comment number 1.
At 14th Jul 2010, DocA wrote:Dear Franz,
Would be very curious as to the equipment you are using for your video blog. That is the camera make and model along with microphone and lighting etc.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 14th Jul 2010, lgresh wrote:Hey franz this is your your anerican family. I pray for you to have a safe journey and that I think that this is a wounderful story to share with the world. Love you and we are so looking forward to seeing you soon.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 15th Jul 2010, D Jackson wrote:You ought to take the time to contact Prof. Wayne Cornelius at UC San Diego. He is the authority of legal/illegal immigration on the southwest border. More importantly, he might provide a personal look into the hardships faced by immigrants on both sides of the US border. I only mention this because he is moderately accessible and a potential resource. Good luck. I look forward to seeing where your adventure takes you.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 18th Jul 2010, Robert wrote:Having graduated from a high school in North Florida ( Jacksonville - Terry Parker) decades ago, I have to wonder if there is some familiarity with the style you chose to use in English with that area of the world.......anyway, after somehow reading a bit of this blog in a different subject area.....I find I am enjoying it very much......
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 19th Jul 2010, Franz Strasser wrote:@ DocA: I will do that in one of these blog posts for sure!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 20th Jul 2010, Stevie wrote:You should consider visiting Los Angeles and Orange County. I can't imagine many other cities in the US, with as varied and rich a immigrant base.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 20th Jul 2010, LindsaySenf wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 21st Jul 2010, MJavadi wrote:As someone who came to the US in my teen years and never left, I find your reports captivating and very well done... Keep up the good work!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 22nd Jul 2010, dennisjunior1 wrote:Franz:
Thanks, for the second edition of your journey across the United States..And, you are able to get informative stories from the immigrants....
(d)
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 26th Jul 2010, myibbcid wrote:Déjà vu of the vanity project...
As reassuringly mediocre as it all is, the funding of such vanity pieces is not without interest. Auntie cares not for such questions, lambs to the digital slaughter.
Whilst a prime example of the need for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ to reduce online activity. I wish you luck in your little pet project that has been covered a thousand times before. The things the Beeb will peddle to appear relevant, truly boggling!
Above all else take solace from the fact that you are American based. Were you in the U.K. you would find yourself subjected to the delights of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ3 with such tripe.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 26th Jul 2010, SE wrote:I really like what you are doing with this blog. I grew up in Kentucky near Louisville, the state's largest city, which actually ranks pretty high in terms of diversity yet people living there are often unaware of the culture right outside the door. We have our own culture as well as an influx from other nations and I am glad your blog will show how this is mirrored throughout the nation. I have always been more interested in other countries than my own, but I think this definitely sounds interesting!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 21st Sep 2010, Suzume wrote:Dear Franz,
You are such a beautiful human being. Your openness to American people, desire to understand and increase cultural knowledge, the fact that you right off the bat made it a point to highlight US diversity (we are used to being stereotyped and receiving hurtful comments) But you are a ray of sunshine in a dark world of misconceptions and nationalist hatred. Sorry to get mushy on you, but it is people like you who are the hope of the world's future, I feel truly honored to follow your journey!! Wishing you the best, with lots of love from Chicago! :)
Suzuzme
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)