This semester is going by so quickly. I have piles and more piles of work. I’ve been very busy keeping up with school. I made the dean’s list last semester. Well, this semester I am trying to be more active at school, so I joined this program called SHINE, which is basically a service-learning program that sends college students to other campuses as coaches to coach immigrants that are taking ESL classes. I am enjoying this volunteering job. I go to a classroom every week and assist the students with the activity that the instructor has assigned. While observing these students, I find I can relate to many of their experiences. For example, I can tell when students are confused, and when they want to ask a question but don’t know how. It makes me feel good to be able to assist others. Not only am I improving my Spanish skills when I have to translate to the students, but I am also applying what I learn in sociology class.

I also tried out for the badminton team, and I found out that I am not very good at the sport. The coach told me to keep coming to practices, so that I can get better by fall, and then I’ll be able to play for the team. Anyways, it might be a good work-out option.

One of my favorite classes this semester is my Asian Pacific Leadership class. The goal of the class is to provide leadership skills to students and discuss problems within the Asian community. The discussions are very engaging. I feel positive about my participation in this class. We discuss the many language barriers that Asian students encounter and the diverse cultures that are often misunderstood. We talk about discrimination, prejudice, and internalized oppression. I feel empowered by hearing others’ stories, and their words help me understand things about my own identity. Growing up in Brazil, and being my family’s first generation created a sense conflict within my own identity. There, I was accepted by a group of people who didn’t look like me, but we spoke the same language and followed the same customs. And here, I am around Chinese people, but they think that I am not Chinese enough to be a part of their culture. Well, I do feel out-of-place sometimes, but I always try to make small connections with people in other ways.

I also turned 18, recently. Well, I don’t feel much different, I am still the same old me. I just woke up one day with more rights and responsibilities. Well, I have four more weeks to go before finals. I am feeling very enthusiastic about summer vacation.

by Rosa Chan