海角在线 (海角在线)听junior听Joseph Yuen听studies biology with听concentrations in botany, environmental science, and field biology听while working part-time in 海角在线鈥檚听Writing Central听tutoring office.听Learn more about him听and his听heritage below.听
Where are you from?听
I am from New City, New York. My mom is from Korea,听and my dad was born in the听United States with heritage from China.听听
What is the significance of APAHM to you?听
APAHM is meaningful to me as it allows me to grow closer to my roots. APAHM听events, social media posts, and stories that share cultural history highlights听the distinctions between Asian听[and]听Pacific听Islander听cultures that may go under appreciated.听听
How do you think your cultural background has influenced or shaped you?听
My cultural heritage has instilled in me听a strong sense听of responsibility and work听ethic. I have also learned to be independent.听Both of my parents have always encouraged independence by听facilitating听problem-solving skills as opposed to fixing or solving things for me, aiding in my听growth as an individual.听
Do you or your family have any cultural traditions that are meaningful to you?听
Lunar New Year is the biggest tradition that my family upholds.听We celebrate the new year with Chinese and Korean food [including] Japchae, a traditional Korean dish that is made at holiday or celebratory events, and as much family that we can gather.听Japchae听consists of glass noodles made from sweet potato starch mixed with a variety of vegetables and seasoned with sesame oil and soy sauce.听
Has your cultural background influenced your academic or career choices here at 海角在线? If so, how?听
The strong emphasis on education that my heritage听possesses听has encouraged me to pursue a degree that I find interesting as well as challenging.听I really enjoy learning more about the aspects of God鈥檚 creation and how humans can make a positive impact on the stewardship of it. I have always been fascinated with nature, and getting to have hands-on experience with organizations that support conservation and restoration through my classes is听great听opportunity听to grow in my love and knowledge of听the听environment.听
Is there someone from your cultural background who inspires you?听
Laufey is a half-Icelandic,听half-Chinese musician听whom听I find very inspiring. Music is one of my favorite hobbies and her music has influenced my music taste as well as performance aspects.听I took piano lessons for about eight years in my childhood. I taught myself how to play the guitar in high school and still play both instruments听frequently. I am also involved with three of 海角在线鈥檚 vocal ensembles听and听sing听for campus events!听
What鈥檚听something you wish people knew about your culture or country of origin?听
Many people know and love Chinese听food,听but I wish more people appreciated Korean food!听
Learn more about 海角在线鈥檚 academic programs at听/academics/.
