2016 APIASF Higher Education Summit: Service, Technology and Culture: Preparing Our Future Students “Finding my way Home”
Reflection
By: Tai Hoang, APIASF/GMS Scholar
I won’t know where I’m going until I truly understand and recognize where I came from. The 2016 APIASF 2016 Higher Education Summit was a unique environment that allowed me to reflect upon my own identity, reality, and prospects as a Vietnamese-American, human being, student, son, brother, and a public health professional. This Summit marked a path that guided me finding my way “home”, an environment that shapes and forms my identity and reality.
Thinking that “each individual has his or her own unique story” is the best way to appreciate and be more understanding toward one another as human beings. The Summit expressed a rich education, discussion, knowledge, and understanding of Asian Americans' and Pacific Islanders’ history, cultures, traditions, and values. A statement that best describes my thoughts is “history is alive and that it is constantly shaping our sense of identity, reality, and possibility” (Kurashige, 2008). Coming to the U.S. at a young age as a Vietnamese-American created a special and diverse learning experience and opportunity for me throughout my teenage and adult life. My experiences that helped form my thoughts and how I perceive my surrounding are largely influenced by my experiences with cultures. The deep, rich, and distinctive Vietnamese culture shaped my own identity as a child and it still is transforming who I am in my adult life. Being a Vietnamese-American further enriched my identity and reality living in the U.S. The cultures I am exposed to here in Western society create a far better understanding of how I perceive life. As a citizen and unique individual, each person has his or her own distinct identity that shapes a diverse society. This is a “luxury” I get to experience here in the States – the opportunity to learn, appreciate, and admire the diverse cultures from many individuals from different cross of life. The Vietnamese culture shapes my identity. Being a Vietnamese-American and living in the U.S. form my reality and possibility. This is my history - a history that is constantly evolving and a history I’m blessed to receive.
As expressed by Dr. Curtiss Takada Rooks, “education is hope and healing”. Education forms self-identity. Education creates possibilities. Ultimately, education creates change. Through education, I know where I stand, and through education I understand where I’m going. I am not certain what my future holds, but I anxiously look forward to experience and live toward the uncertainties through education and service for and with others. My preparation starts here, it begins with self-identity, possibilities, and change.
Thank you APIASF for a rewarding Summit.
Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is more people who have come alive. – Howard Thurman