Cultural diversity is not the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of Louisville. Yet, as the world in which we live becomes an increasingly global society, Louisville is keeping pace, becoming more diverse in its population than it was just one decade ago.

Anne Achico, associate director for Immigration and Legal Services for Catholic Charities of Louisville, is a member of a legal counsel team representing immigrants from all over the world. Catholic Charities provides affordable, legal immigration assistance to ensure that there are no legal burdens restricting immigrants' ability to lawfully live, work, and prosper in the United States.
In 2008, Catholic Charities of Louisville assisted 2,700 immigrants.

Achico, whose parents emigrated from the Philippines in 1970, is no stranger to the challenges and benefits of immigration.

"At the time my parents came over, it was a daring and scary experience," said Achico. "They came for two reasons—economic prosperity and quality of life." Achico's father came to the United States already educated as a chemical engineer, and after arriving her mother became a nursing assistant. They stayed in Louisville, raising a family and giving back to their community.

Based on conversations with the immigrants she has served, "many come to Louisville for what this city has to offer: quality of education, access to most anything you need, and affordable housing," said Achico. "They find it easy to live in Louisville. It's a big city but still small enough that you know your neighbor. It's a good community in which to live and be successful."

Dr. Hieu Tran, professor and dean of the College of Pharmacy at Sullivan University, would agree. In 1982, at the age of 26, Tran left Vietnam for a new life in the United States. Once here, he joined his parents and siblings who had previously immigrated.

"We left Vietnam to escape communism," said Tran. "We came for a better quality of life and freedom."

Before coming to Kentucky, Tran lived in a number of cities throughout the United States. However, the Louisville area has been home to Tran and his family for the past three years, and he is hopeful it is their final destination.

"I'm impressed with Louisville. It's a nice-size city—a big city with a small-town atmosphere. I like the weather and the people. I've had many opportunities here," said Tran, who was hired by Sullivan to build their pharmacy program from the ground up.

Tran is not the only Sullivan faculty member who has immigrated to the area, colleagues hail from India, Philippines, Israel, Vietnam, and Sri-Lanka. "Our faculty comes from all over," said Tran. "This area offers a great quality of life and cost of living. Parents are able to provide their children a good higher education, with a number of excellent colleges right here in Louisville."

Many individuals immigrate to the United States to pursue better career opportunities, and several because of the country's reputation for being on the cutting edge of medical research. Ranking high on the list of top medical communities, Louisville has become a desirable career destination for highly-educated professors, doctors, researchers, and other high-tech professionals.

Dr. Donald Miller, director of James Graham Brown Cancer Center, said the center has recruited approximately 90 medical professionals over the past decade, with about half recruited from other countries.
The University of Louisville (UofL) also actively recruits educators from outside of the United States. "I think global recruitment gives us the power to reach the lofty goal we have of becoming one of the top 10 metropolitan research universities," said Kimberly Maffet, interim vice-president of human resources for (UofL). Maffet said the university often recruits dual-career couples, since it takes care of the needs of both the individual and the couple.

Dr. George Hajishengallis, professor and university scholar for The University of Louisville School of Dentistry, is a native of the island of Cyprus. His wife Dr. Evlambia "Betty" Harokopakis-Hajishengallis, a native of Greece, is associate professor of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry, also within The University of Louisville School of Dentistry.

"What brought us to the United States was our desire to expand our education through postgraduate studies," said Betty. "The offer we received from UofL was attractive for us both." The decision to move to Louisville was also greatly influenced by the high school options the area has to offer. Their twin daughters attend DuPont Manual High School, and the Hajishengallises are extremely pleased with the education they receive there.

"We've been in the United States since 1990, and in Louisville for four years. We originally intended to come to the states for only five years, but this is home now," said George.

Dr. Paula Bates, associate professor and scientist for James Graham Brown Cancer Center, shares a similar story. Like Drs. Hajishengallis, Bates' goal to further her medical research was what brought her to the United States and, ultimately, to Louisville. Her husband, Dr. John Trent, a native of New Zealand, is associate professor of medicine and director of the Molecular Modeling Core Facility at the cancer center.

"We came to the U.S. because of the job," said Bates, "and because science is better-funded here. When we were first married, we enjoyed the restaurants and the pubs. We've since had children, and now that our priorities have changed, Louisville has become a good place to raise kids. We like the size of the city—it's big enough to have plenty to do, yet it has a town-like feel to it. It's also easy to get around."

Dr. Jun Yan emigrated from China in 1997, traveling directly from Shanghai to Louisville to further his research career in tumor immunobiology. After working at UofL for two years, he left to accept a position at Yale University. In 2003, James Graham Brown Cancer Center beckoned him back. Yan returned, excited about his job opportunity but somewhat skeptical about living in Louisville once again.

"When I came to Louisville in 1997, I experienced a certain amount of culture shock," admitted Yan. "My first night in downtown Louisville was a Friday night, and there were few people on the streets, which was a big change from living in China. I wondered where all the people were. Back then, I couldn't find a Chinese grocery—only one Korean store."

But Yan says he has no regrets about returning to Louisville. "The amount of research has greatly increased so, professionally, this is a great city," he said. Since his return to Louisville, there are now two or three Chinese supermarkets, as well as more Chinese culture and activities for his family, and the Yan family now feels like this is home.

"Louisville has become revolutionized over the past four years. It is a much more diversified environment and, in a lot of ways, I think Louisville has become a new city," said Yan. "I could stay here. It's the perfect place to be."