MARSHALL — Peter Thor’s life journey involved moving halfway around the world before ending up in southwest Minnesota.

Thor, who serves as principal at Southview Elementary School in Marshall, discussed his immigration experience from his native Laos at a recent gathering at Marshall’s Adult Community Center. The event was attended by about 50 people.

He began with a short history of his Hmong people, who were originally Chinese. Many Hmong moved to Southeast Asia because of land issues and Civil War.

Once they moved they adopted many traditions found in nations such as Laos and Thailand. It led to changes in Hmong language, as well as new cultural traditions.

“It became a blend of cultures,” Thor said. “The language went through many changes. We can’t communicate with Hmong in China anymore.”

The Laotian Hmong were mostly isolated mountain people until the early 1950s, when Christian missionaries brought Western culture. They created a written Hmong language, which until their arrival had been entirely based on verbal communication and picture symbols.

Thor’s grandparents converted to Christianity. Their mountain society still lacked most 20th century conveniences. Getting to the nearest hospital required hiking for a day and a half.

His father was a hunter and gatherer. His mother was a farmer. Political turmoil in the years after the Vietnam War led to persecution since the Hmong had helped American soldiers. His parents decided in 1984 that they needed to leave.

“We were disliked because we supported the other side,” Thor said. “It reached the point where our home area was not a good place to be. We either had to move deeper into the mountains or cross the border into Thailand. We chose Thailand.”

He said rural Laotian Hmong were treated like slaves by soldiers who confiscated most of their food and game. His family had to sneak away since those who tried to leave were often killed.

Hmong traveling to Thailand always went in small groups and only journeyed at night. By day they hid in woodlands.

“The days in the woods were long days,” he said. “I was only 4 years old, but I have memories of the mosquitoes, the leeches and the dead bodies. It was traumatic. I didn’t know the big picture.”

He also remembers crossing the Mekong River, an experience that led to a fear of water. He said that even after age 42, his body still tenses up if he enters a large swimming pool.

His family lived in a Thailand refugee camp for two years. Adults had to do manual labor for rice rations. His father was at one point jailed for a week for working a double shift to help another family whose patriarch couldn’t work. Impersonating another refugee was against the camp rules.

Thor’s first experiences at a school were mostly negative because of rigid teaching methods and corporal punishment.

“I hated school in Thailand,” he said. “I didn’t want to go, but my parents told me the world was changing and that I needed education. It wasn’t until we came to America that I liked school. I was happy because I wasn’t getting hit.”

The family came to Minnesota in 1986 through the sponsorship of a Minneapolis couple. They settled in St. Paul, where Peter attended the Franklin Music Academy. When he wasn’t in school, he was expected to be home to care for his younger siblings. His parents both worked long hours, usually at night.

He said that at first the move to Minnesota took a great deal of adjusting for both himself and his parents. He encountered a flush toilet for the first time on the plane ride. When he first saw snow, he was unsure about going outside.

He had difficulty in school at first, having to repeat his first grade year. Gradually he became one of the best achievers in his class — so much so that he was able to skip fifth grade.

In 1992 his father, who received training in the printing industry, moved the family to Marshall in order for him to take a job at the Independent. They lived for a year in the Camelot Square trailer park until the park became uninhabitable because of the 1993 floods, then moved to Marshall’s other trailer park.

“We thought a trailer was luxury,” Thor said. “In Laos we lived in huts that could be built in a day. A trailer with heat and air conditioning was all we needed.”

Although he was one of a very small number of minority Marshall students, he found success in Marshall Public Schools. He said he made good friends through sports and his church.

He also credits his teachers. He especially remembers how his high school geometry teacher, Alison Marshall, predicted that he would teach math.

Thor was one of only 100 students nationally to receive a Horatio Alger Association Scholarship. Minnesota Twin Kirby Puckett visited Marshall to present the scholarship, and Thor was also awarded a trip to Washington D.C.

After graduation, he majored in math education at Southwest Minnesota State University. He taught in St. Paul for a year, then returned to Marshall to take a job at Marshall Middle School and eventually become a principal. He enjoys his job and his role as a husband and father.

Marshall Adult Community Center Director Katie Brusven said she reached out to Thor to ask him to share his story. Wednesday’s program was part of a goal to have more multi-cultural programs.

Audience members reacted very favorably to the presentation, calling it a good opportunity to gain insight into the experiences of immigrants.

“I’m so glad I came,” said Helen Langer of Marshall. “Peter is inspiring. Everyone in Marshall should hear his story and those of other immigrants.”

Sue Snodgrass of Marshall remembers Thor as a high school student. He participated in a youth service project she led called Youth As Resources.

“I’ve always liked Peter, but until now I didn’t know all the details about how he came to Marshall,” Snodgrass said. “He has a great story. I’m glad I had the chance to hear it.”