First Year Asian Student Narrative

Students from different parts of the world travel to the United States to study. International students see that there is a wide difference between U.S. colleges and colleges in their home countries. Rebekah Nathan, an anthropology professor, covers the topic in her book My Freshman Year. Where Nathan pretends to be a student in an unnamed university in order to obtain knowledge for her research about college life in the United States. Nathan, from asking multiple international students, made claims about how international students look at the teaching system in American colleges. Claims such as American students behave disrespectfully to class etiquette, Professors in the U.S. are more lenient than professors in their home countries and that

Serving others by utilizing the lessons I have learned through my experiences and my talents is how I want to live my life. As a first generation college student, I want to integrate myself in programs or start my own mentorship program where I am able to mentor and give

My first semester of college, I was determined to go into medical school after my undergraduate year. However, That thought changed after a year of being in college. As a first generation student, I never had a clear explanation on how hard college was going to be and on how difficult it may be to me to decided on a specific major. As I get to learn about the different varieties on majors, It creates a burden due to me being indecisive on my major.

Since the start of the semster I have learned many different things about myself and how I can become a better student all around. Summer classes can fly by fast and doesn’t feel like a real semester. That it is just to get credit and move on to the next semester. That was not the case for me this summer semester because I needed to think about the rest of my college career. This summer semester is my first one coming back from academic suspension and I took last semester at South Plains College and Tarrant County College. I did really well making a 3.00 GPA overall and am most likely going to make a 3.5 this semester. This will be a huge boost to my overall GPA. The point is am at the point where I am ready to graduate and will try my hardest to get the best grades I can. I really just changed my mindset towards college and the way I prepare for tests and studying.

There are four main codes that all minors should know. These codes include business and professions 25662 (a), vehicle code 23136 (a) along with 23136 (b), and penal code 272 (a) (1). All of these codes relate to minors because a minor is anyone who is under the age of

During my first week at Langara College School I know from the start that school was not the one for me; therefore, I started asking around where becoming a nurse would be fast and easy to get into a school and could instantly get a job right after I graduate. From there I did some research on my own and ask previous students who graduated at Sprott Shaw Community College if all the extra money that I will be spending it in a private institution instead of a public institution is worth it. In the end, I do not regret anything going into Sprott Shaw College because this is the appropriate school for me and would recommend to anyone who is confused or lost what they want to do in the future.

I began to feel inferior when I compared myself to other Asian students. I realized that my parents did not have the money to place me in private schools, tutor lessons, or give me the extra help I needed. They do not speak English to gain the connections for me. At a young age, I have learned how to make the connections for myself. I felt that being Asian held me up to high standards I could not reach because I was Vietnamese and that changed everything. Being Vietnamese broke every Asian stereotype in the book. My family was not rich or academically smart. My parents struggle to pay the bills and they never finished high

The book American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang, had three distinct main characters, but each plot line held the same message: be yourself. This message is one that resonates due to the pressures that everyone faces to conform to societal norms. I, as an introverted female, feel pressured often

As the son of immigrant parents, I have always wanted to assimilate into American culture. My parents expected me to excel in everything I do, especially in academics. When report cards came at the end of the quarter, I would be ashamed when my parents saw my grades. Every time I got a B, I could see the disappointment on their faces. I would lock myself in my room and think about how much easier my life would be if I was not Asian. I had always hoped that my parents would congratulate me if I completed something, or showed affection when I needed it. My parent’s merciless emphasis on academic achievement made me submissive to their authority.

Let me tell you about two students. Student A attends Brooklyn Technical High School. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and loves to play sports such as basketball and football. He’s part owner of a clothing brand, and has a passion for video games and computer software; having hopes that one day he will own a software company. Student B has been working since the age of fifteen; at one point having to work two jobs in the same day. He’s been surrounded by gang violence most of his life, and the biggest fear he has is failure. To both my detriment and benefit, I am student A and student B.                                                                                        For most of my life, I’ve been caught in between

One sunny day many years ago in the parking lot of Husson University a car comes to a sudden stop. The door swings opens and out steps a young woman named, Heather Patten. It’s the first day of college and she can feel the butterflies franticly swarming around in her stomach. “Husson University is a big place especially if you don’t know anyone there and have no clue where your classes are.” Eventually, like any place, Heather got used to the many buildings and huge campus. She was at a great place in her life, finally she was own her own. She graduated high school 10th out of her class, and got her wish to go to a college close to home.

Most thirteen year olds crave the attention of older kids, particularly boys. In my case, I dreaded it. I was born shy. My natural instinct when someone approached me was to look away, and if they talked to me – heaven forbid – I would smile, blush, and then quietly mumble something inaudible only to become more embarrassed. It wasn’t necessarily my fault, my entire family had a natural shyness about them. We rarely craved the limelight and for the most part it worked out just fine, that is until we were forced into an assertive role. Along with the attention, most kids want to be the kid who hits the big shot, has the token girls on his arms and is adored by just about everyone. That’s every kid’s dream – except for mine. My experience in

The Myth of “Perfection” For seventeen years, I have dutifully fulfilled my role as the Asian stereotype. From a young age, I was instilled with the belief that happiness was procured through achievement and success. Rigidity and structure dictated my every action, and as I grew older, the pressure to distinguish myself from my peers intensified. I felt as though my entire life was pre-determined. And as my disillusionment grew, I became conscious of a startling emptiness. I began to crave a greater purpose.

It has been a while since we last spoke in Boston. I hope all is well in America. I have just about had enough of China and am excited on coming home in a few weeks.

T. Arbitman Freshman Fall 2017 I remember being a little girl and hiding behind my mom when someone came up to me to say hello; I used to be so nervous to even meet their eyes. At our family get-togethers, for Christmas and New Years Day, my family attempted to start conversations I would politely smile and hide behind my closest parent. I remember her telling me “It’s okay to say Hi to the people I talk to, just do not talk to strangers.” I tried to listen to her and follow her instructions but every time I would try chickened out.