What is your major?
Major: Asian Studies. Minor: Film Studies and Honors Liberal Arts
What is something you wish everyone knew about your major?
Asian Studies applies the importance of history towards contemporary transformations and influences in context to the largest continent of the world whose emergence only continues to grow. With its deep and rich history that stands as a good contrast to Western modern and culturally diverse history, Asian Studies relates to an abundance of subjects including but not limited to international business, cultural studies, and art, film, and media.
What was your most impactful class or professor?
My Japanese history capstone class with adjunct Professor of History Darrel Allen during my freshman year of college was by far the most impactful class I've taken because I was given a new perspective (or many perspectives) on how to view, utilize, and understand history. We read Japan at War: An Oral History by Haruko & Theodore Cook. It was a collection of interviews and dialogues from WWII soldiers, politicians, displaced elders, and exploited children. History is shaped by those in power. History can be lost and forgotten but also recovered and continuously filled in with new information. As we make momentous decisions in our careers and daily life, hopefully we can use our best judgment by finding and considering various perspectives.
What are you excited for in your future career?
I am excited to move to Africa and teach ESL (English as a Second Language) for a year in sponsorship with the 2023-24 Fulbright Program in Zambia. There are a lot of unknowns that come with my future career path as I'm still debating between international diplomacy, cultural ambassadorship, animation/film, media editing and curating, or similar.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
I hope incoming students are able to choose a major that is challenging and rewarding for them in the long run. The university is the perfect environment to force yourself to learn something specific that may be hard to do on your own. You will be able to utilize your connections with professors and classmates by staying open to discussions about complex topics. Truly, that is the best way to learn — in dialogue with our fellow people!
How have you grown during your time at SPU?
Being at SPU has taught me a lot, mostly with the COVID-19 epidemic and recent policy controversies thrown into the mix. It's a hard reality, but not everything is in control, however, it should not be thought of as a hopeless endeavor. There is so much we can accomplish on our small campus and on a worldwide scale! I have grown so much since I first came to SPU, as any individual would in any university. What remains the same is this: life is not as bad as it seems and there will always be opportunities to discover and goals to work towards. Stay hopeful!