I have had such a pleasant experience with the Asian American Studies Program at BC. As Co-President of Asian Caucus ('23-24), my Co-President, Caitlin Park, and I have had the privilege of working closely with Professor Wan Tang, as well as the other faculty and staff in this program, to help create a more inclusive space for Asian students on campus. They have been supportive of our endeavors for AC, but have also been extremely willing and open to multifaceted conversations, whether it's related to our Asian identities, AC, or how I have been doing overall. 

I have also had the pleasure of taking a course that explored the interconnectedness of Asian American history with media called "The Other Americans: Representation and Reality in Asian America," led by Professors Arissa Oh and Tony Tran. In this course, I learned a plethora of new knowledge and perspectives I would not have unveiled and considered otherwise. With these experiences, both extracurricular and coursework-wise, the Asian American Studies program has positively elevated my college experience at BC!

“Asian Americans in Sport and Society” with Professor Kim was a profoundly enriching experience during my time at BC. Despite being an Asian American myself, I was captivated by the depth and novelty of the curriculum, which ventured into areas of Asian American studies I would have never imagined to study. As a PWI, I think the existence of this program and course is crucial in fostering a learning environment where diverse perspectives are valued and explored. 

I’d like to highlight Professor Kyoung-yim Kim for her unwavering dedication and passion on the topic, but also for her ability in fostering an engaging atmosphere for the students. This course has not only broadened my understanding of my own heritage but has also instilled a deep-seated pride in recognizing the significance of Asian American Studies as an essential component of our academic and societal discourse.

In taking “Asian Americans in Sports and Society” with Professor Kim, I have been able to learn about real world issues, be exposed to new perspectives, and engage in meaningful conversations. This is the kind of course that has taught me about things that actively occur in our world, empowering me and my classmates to  be active members of society. In addition to being a relevant class to our lives outside the classroom, all students were exposed to new perspectives and, for some of us, new cultures. 

Through readings such as Clarie Jean Kim’s article “The Racial Triangulation of Asian Americans” and movie clips such as Ursula Liang’s documentary 9-Man, I have not only learned more about cultures outside of my own, but how sporting contexts can hide systematic inequalities and create further discrimination. Ultimately I have found my time in this course rewarding as I feel as though a new window has been opened allowing me to engage with  media in a more educated and socially conscious manner. 

I really love Professor Puente's “Asian American Literature.” Through this course, I have learned the history of Asian immigrants, their culture, and the challenges they encounter in society. I empathized with the characters in the literature I read, which made me re-examine my own identity and motivated me to provide help to this population. Two of my favorite books were Native Speaker and Reluctant Fundamentalist, which explored the impact of language and historical events on immigrants. 

These two books depict the main characters' inner worlds in detail, allowing me to truly understand and feel for them. I also really liked our class visit to Chinatown; we went beyond our readings to the current Asian American community. I really recommend this course to anyone who is interested in Asian American culture and literature!

In my freshman year at Boston College, I took the course “The Other Americans” on a whim, and it ended up being one of my favorite classes. Not only was its material informative and interdisciplinary, but it also gave me the opportunity to meet a community of Asian peers and professors. Most of all, this class helped me explore my own Asian American identity and find a sense of belonging on campus.