Austin, Texas

Arti Srivastava, the owner of GeoPassage. Photo Courtesy of Sinem Iber.

Austin is the state capital of Texas and a university town. But these days it has a new reputation: as a boomtown for technology development. High-tech companies have set up shop here, creating high-paying jobs for workers trained in software development and Internet technologies. The city has turned into a mecca for people from China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand -- and India. Once a town renowned for its Tex-Mex flavor and music, Austin is learning to savor new Asian spices.

As the Asian and Indian population grows, organizations like the Texas Asian Business Association are being created to help newcomers and long-term Asian residents begin to make their presence felt in local affairs. Texas culture is taking on a new spin as Vietnamese children learn both English and Vietnamese stories and songs in an Austin school; Indian families celebrate their holy days in the largest Hindu temple complex in North America, right outside Austin; and a Chinese businesswoman is executive director of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers.

Listen NPR's John Burnett reports on their voices and others who have changed the shape and flavor of the communities of this mid-sized and growing city.

QUOTES:

Arti Srivasta, owns an e-commerce company, GeoPassage.com:
"We were in Seattle. My husband said: let’s move to Austin. I took two steps backwards. Conjured up images of cowboys in hats and I said “no no I’m not going there” He said let’s test market it. We came for a couple days. Austin just embraced me. It didn’t have glittering bright lights of Seattle. My next door neighbor made welcome to Austin dinner. In India I grew up in a community with nurturing family and neighbors. Nine months after moving here, I had my first child. "

Swami Viswanathan, Vignette Corp.:

"Austin is definitely becoming international. Still has Texas undertones. That’s healthy. Unique. People in community - all - very open and friendly. I moved from Detroit. People were reserved. (Here) Neighbors came with flowers. Texan warmth, which is very good."

Dr. Satyendra Rana, Chief Technology Officer; Exterprise:

"My daughters are learning South India dances. I came from North India. It would never happen in Delhi. "

Kala Ranganathan, Exterprise:

"If so inclined, can listen to music just as you would in India. Austin brings all these different cultures to you. Up to individual how much of culture to keep. That’s huge attraction for many of us who come from around the world. For me, I don’t see myself living outside Austin. I found Utopia here. Weather wise, opportunity, culturally. This is me. Austin is me. "

Alexa Lange, CEO Hiretech (hi-tech recruitment firm):

"Absolutely. I think it used to be difficult when I started recruiting in 1994 to get people to come to Austin. They wouldn’t even consider flying down, because they figured Austin was like rest of Texas: cowboys, tumbleweed, amardilloes everywhere. Now Austin IS on the map. People are more educated about what it is like here. That its green, hills, serial entrepreneurs: folks on second or third venture. Talent magnets. Draw for anybody. Very open minded city. That’s very appealing. Lot of intellectual people. Lots of money."

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Produced by Art Silverman w/ help from Julie Harbin & edited by Cadi Simon

The Changing Face of America is an 18-month-long NPR series that tells the stories of regular, everyday Americans and the issues they face at a time of rapid and dramatic change in the U.S. This special series can be heard on NPR's Talk of the Nation, All Things Considered and Morning Edition.

The Changing Face of America series is sponsored by The Pew Charitable Trusts.