Hi there! I'm a proud Piersonite, Chicagoan, and Chinese American double majoring in Political Science and East Asian Studies. I became a citizen last year after immigrating into the US with my mother ten years ago to Chicago. I went to a Catholic Chinese school in Chinatown (the only school which accepted me, since I didn't speak any English at the time), and started taking ESL lessons from the local Chinese American service centers. Both my mom and I are especially grateful for the support and services we received from the local Chinese American community as low-income new immigrants. Since then, I have stayed involved in my community throughout high school, as an ESL instructor and intern supervisor, and also as I looked for ways to connect and reach out to my community when I went to a high school where I was one of the few Asian students. At Bulldog Days, I ran around to all the Asian American associations and committees and signed myself onto their mailing lists, eager to become a part of a new family, a new chapter in my life where I will find peers who share the same background and understand my stories. I did my research on all the Asian American organizations before Bulldog Days... I remember being totally transfixed and drawn to the ceramic bowl balanced on top of Jennifer's head. So, in a heartbeat, I signed up to become a part of the Phoenix Dance Troupe --`the undergrad dance troupe which specializes in traditional Asian dance - and have been involved ever since. I am currently the co-president of the Phoenix Dance Troupe, the co-chair of the Political Action and Education Committee (PAEC) of the Asian American Students Alliance (AASA), a volunteer ESL instructor, and an Urban Fellow of Dwight Hall. I love all my activities, classes, my new home, my communities, friends, and professors, you name it. I’ve found a place I love – a feeling of belonging and empowerment – a place where I am truly happy, and I hope you will too (And I’m here to help you, along with the other ridiculously cool and awesome peer liaisons).

Hi, I’m Trinh, a Sociology major in Morse with an interest in social movements. While I was born in Southern California, I’ve spent most of my life on the south shore of Long Island (and no, I don't really know anyone who says "Lawn Guyland"). Because the Vietnamese population in New York State is relatively scattered and lacks many large enclaves, involvement with the LI Vietnamese Roman Catholic community allowed me to explore my heritage as well as my faith. In the cultural community here, I have previously worked at the Asian American Cultural Center (AACC) and as a Cultural Connections preorientation program aide, and am a member of the Vietnamese Students Association (ViSA) and the Alliance for Southeast Asian Students (ALSEAS - a group that fosters collaboration among Yale's Southeast Asian organizations including ViSA, KASAMA: The Filipino Club at Yale, the Malaysian and Singaporean Association (MASA), and the Student Association of Thais at Yale (SATAY), as well as Yalies from other SE Asian backgrounds) . I’m also involved with the Davenport Pops Orchestra (DPops!), the Public Health Coalition (a Dwight Hall network), and conduct health advocacy/activism research through the two-year Edward A. Bouchet Fellowship. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you all! I'm also a huge fan of Craftster, so let me know if you ever want to decorate Altoids tins (or make ATCs/inchies). (Seriously -- I have a lot of Modge Podge and scrapbook paper and not enough creativity.)

I'm a math major from humid South Florida, although I spent the plurality of my lifetime in Massachusetts, spent three years in Texas, and was born in Iowa. My friend group in high school was fairly diverse and so I experienced a bit of a culture shock when I found myself at Yale with primarily Asian American friends; the Asian Americans I knew in high school were primarily those I met through (yes, this is stereotypical) math competitions. At Yale (in addition to writing for the Yale Record, playing intramurals, and volunteering through DEMOS and Mathcounts Outreach) I've worked at the AACC and gotten involved with several Asian American cultural groups (in particular TAS--and I'm zero percent Taiwanese). Play Scrabble, cook, trade music, or go running with me! (...or ask me about how the normal distribution applies to amateur golf scores)


P.S. I've more or less mastered the art of finding free food on campus. Talk to me if you and your stomach want to know more.

P.P.S. I just lost the game.

Hello everyone! My name is Iris and I'm a junior in Saybrook college from Los Angeles, California. I'm studying medical anthropology and I hope to pursue a career in public health. In the Asian American community here, I am one of the co-directors of ALIVE (A Learning and Interactive Vietnamese Experience) which is a program that helps foster Vietnamese culture and language in adoptive families in the Connecticut and New York area. It's been a great way to meet other students and families who share an interest in learning about each others' cultures and the intersection between our cultures. In addition to ALIVE, I am also an active member in ViSA, a proud wife and mom in TAS, the drummer on the Lion Dance team, a Saybrook Master's Aide and a member of the Saybrook College Council. Outside of Yale, I volunteer with AIDS Project New Haven and will be continuing to do research with them through the year. When I find free time, I love good food, good music, good company, and a good competitive sports game so if you're up for cooking, a jam session, or a game of volleyball, feel free to shoot me an email! I really look forward to meeting you all!

Hi! I'm Allen, a junior in Trumbull College from Potomac, Maryland, majoring in Psychology (previously a premed, now a prelaw). Although I was born in China, I moved to the United States at a very young age. The Chinese community around Potomac is very strong, which heavily influenced my involvement in the Asian American community here at Yale (special shout-out to TAS and KASY!). I'm on the Yale Men's Volleyball team, editor-in-chief of Five Magazine (a social justice magazine), co-founder of the Wushu Club. I also work as an Undergraduate Recruitment Coordinator in Yale's Undergraduate Admissions Office (some of you might recognize me from the admitted students site or Bulldog Days =D) I'm a big fan of the Princess Bride (movie AND book) and also of Harry Potter (the real reason why I chose Yale (just kidding (not really))). In my spare time, I enjoy grabbing snacks from the bountiful stores around campus--yum.