VIA-1

Vietnamese Interacting as One Conference The Vietnamese community is a diverse body of individuals and a space that embraces the many different and extraordinary stories of its community members—where we, as culturally engaged citizens, have the opportunity to discover and share our multiplicity of identities that come with living in America. Our multiple roles as student leaders, young professionals, and culturally sensitive and politically engaged citizens are a representation of our abilities to stand united, represent our communities, and interact as one despite our differences. Check out our VIA-1 website! >> 2016 VIA-1 Website <<

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What Do I Wear For VIA-1?!?!

WHAT DO I WEAR FOR VIA-1?!?!

Andrea Pham and Andy Pham Cousin Collaboration

In a culture that constantly shifts the paradigm of fashion, we have developed a spectrum of dress codes. On Friday upon arrival and Sunday upon departure, most people wear school spirit wear or t-shirts and comfy travel clothes (easy peasy). However on Saturday at VIA-1, there will be two different dress codes: business casual and semi-formal.

Business casual has a very loose definition, so let’s look at what’s been done before (at Leadership Summit at UIUC, Oct 2015):

We want to help develop young professionals to be ready for the future, and it can start with the way you present yourself! From Business Casual to Business Professional, this is where you want to look like you're ready to network with people, learn, and open the door to greater opportunities.

Workshop Wear Suggestions:

Don’t know what to wear? Here are our go-to options:

Khaki, navy, or black pants or pencil skirts

Dark-colored sweater or cardigan on top of a colorful dress shirt

Solid colored or patterned dress with a blazer

Business wear is conservative. If you would wear it to the club, you probably shouldn’t wear it to workshops!

It’s always safe to wear a belt that’s the same color as your shoes.

Pockets are nice. Wear something with pockets.

Don’t forget to press and iron your clothes -- our hotel rooms will have the equipment, so use it!

Alright! It’s photoshoot and banquet time.

For guys: This is what you’ve kept your secret and favorite suit for - to impress! Comb back that hair, tighten that tie or maybe even break out a bowtie! It’s a night where once a year you dress to the nines! (Semi-Formal to Formal):

For the ladies: You know you have that semi-formal dress hiding in your closet, waiting to be worn, waiting to be seen. Curl your hair, get your eyebrows to do that fleek thing, and throw on something sparkly. This would also be a great opportunity to get cultural and wear a beautiful áo dài!

Whatever you decide to pack, be confident and be your true self. We can’t wait to see you all at VIA-1 in Madison, Wisconsin!

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Top 5 Madison Restaurant Picks

Rubric: Taste of food, originality, spacing, pricing, distance from hotel

1. Ian’s Pizza

Suggested Food Items: Mac & Cheese and Pizza

You can never go wrong with pizza, but there’s a twist! Ever had smoked brisket or quesadilla on your pizza? Ian’s Pizza is a mad genius when it comes to the Italian pie. They’re always concocting up with the craziest ideas! Barely a walk, so if you’re looking a quick place to grab a slice - Ian’s would be a top choice!

2. Soga Shabu Shabu

Suggested Food Item: All the meat

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t like to do family-style dinner? This Asian fusion restaurant is where everyone just dives into one hot pot or multiple ones. Easy, interactive, and fun dinner! Your friend is going to ask, “What do I do?”, You: “Just do it!” Barely a 5 minute walk from the hotel and huge space for everyone to sit!

3. Tutto’s Pasta

Suggested Food Item: Chicken Alfredo

Feeling a bit fancy? Want something better than Olive Garden that’s Italian and not breaking the bank? Tutto’s Pasta is where you want to be then. Their risotto and pasta are on point, and their sauces are not too heavy either! There’s huge spacing down in their basement so seating wouldn’t be a problem - make reservations though!

4. Graze

Suggested Food Item: Bibimbap Burrito and Cheese Curds

Kind of fancy, sharing friendly, good prices, decent seating, and cheese curds! Little farther than the places mentioned but well worth it! Classical American cuisine and a renowned Madison restaurant pick! Highly recommend to make a reservation, because this place gets packed! For a good reason too~

5. DRAGON-I!

Suggested Food Item: Everything

Hands down best restaurant and greatest for Madison to offer! The best place for seating.

6. The Parthenon Gyros Restaurant

Suggested Food Item: Mega Gyro and Cheese Fries

We were kidding about the last one by the way but still standing by that Dragon-I has the best seating. Anyways! Here is where you want to go when you just want to grab a quick bite. They have great Gyros (however you want to pronounce it), nevertheless, this place is really good for fast Greek food! Also pretty solid place for seating!

Madison, Wisconsin has food to suit everyone’s taste! We hope that this list helps you determine where you want to eat when you are here for the 14th Annual VIA-1 Conference!

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VIA-1 Valentines

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

I hope you’re having a great time with your Valentine today. But if you aren’t, here’s a cute article for you to look at instead of your Valentine’s disgusting chocolate-covered face.

Here are the people and types of people you’ll meet at VIA-1:

1. The Hypebeast: There’s always that one guy who wears Jordan’s with his business casual attire on Saturday. (Phillip Tran - Marketing Director)

2. The Artsy One: Singers, dancers, actors, artists, etc. (Jimy Nguyen - KY State Rep, Jacklyn Ho - Entertainment Director)

3. The Blonde: They’re pretty easy to find. (Thanh Johnson - IA State Rep, Kevin Vimonkhon - Multimedia Director)

4. The “Athelete”: They’re not who you think they are. (UW-Madison - KAVSA)

5. The Bear: You won’t miss Todd, Little Bear, or Maxi! (Or Jen Nguyen - Former VIA-1 ED, Jill Tran - MN State Rep, and Lil Tran - MI State Rep)

6. The Sweetheart: Their smiles will make you swoon. (Ralphie Tran - IL Co-State Rep, Liz Nguyen - OH State Rep, Julia Bui - MO State Rep)

7. The Future Millionaire: Be sure to network with those business majors, science majors, and alums! (Vi Vo - IL Co-State Rep, Andy Pham - VIA-1 ED, and Tan Bui WI State Rep)

8. The Photographer: Don’t hide from them! They take the pics because you’re cute! (Terry Le, Krist Chhuom)

9. The Power Couple: The people that are super involved with VSA but also pretty involved with each other too. (Randy Huynh - IT Director and Kim Chung - VIA-1 ED)

10. Your Future Bae: I’m not even joking. Here are two amazing couples who met at VIA-1 conferences. (Kat Le and Taylor Banh - 2013 VIA-1 and now, Cindy Dao and Nathan Giang - 2015 VIA-1 and now)

These are only a few of the lovely kinds of people that will be at VIA-1 this year in Madison, Wisconsin. Come meet everyone and maybe you’ll even find your future sweetheart!

Written by Andrea Pham

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Cheese Curds 101

The 14th Annual VIA-1 Conference is hosted in Madison, Wisconsin this year, and this is the perfect opportunity for you to change your life forever..one cheese curd at a time.

For all you out of towners, you may be wondering, “What in the world is this phenomenon known as a cheese curd?”  

A cheese what?

It’s just cheese, right?

Wrong.

It’s cheese taken to the next level. They’re deep fried gooey squeaky golden nuggets of heaven. Oh, so you’re lactose-intolerant you say? Destroying toilets from these glorious balls of deliciousness will be completely worth it. Trust me.

So where can you get cheese curds in this cheese city? Have no fear. We’ve listed the top 5 places for you to get your cheese curd fix on for the weekend!

Curd Girl

Graze

Tipsy Cow

OSS

Old Fashioned

I urge you to attend this year’s VIA-1 Conference and experience the glory that is known as the cheese curd while attending an amazing conference.

Your life will be changed forever.

Written by Angie Ngo

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13 Thoughts and Feelings You’ll Have as a First Time Attendee

We all know that VIA-1 is coming soon. Everyone is posting about it. What’s so special about it? Well, there’s a reason for all the Hype!

If you don’t know what happens during the conference, here’s some information about what goes on!

The Vietnamese Interacting As One Conference is a conference where people come together to share their experiences as Vietnamese Americans, to learn about Vietnamese Culture, and to create lasting friendships from across the Midwest. Relationships are built through family activities, unity is strengthened through raising money for the collective philanthropy, and knowledge is gained from attending cultural and leadership based workshops. It is an experience from the minute you walk in and check in on Friday evening until the last goodbyes said to each other on Sunday afternoon.

Here are some moments that you’ll be having. :)

1. WHO ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE AND HOW DO THEY ALL KNOW EACH OTHER.

You’re so overwhelmed with everyone running around saying hello to each other.

2. I am an awkward turtle that doesn’t know what to do and where to go.

Oh gosh can I hide somewhere, I don’t know what I’m doing.

3. OH, I SEE MY FAMILY MEMBERS. HELLO FAMILY.

THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE I’VE ACTUALLY TALKED TO OMG.

4. Maybe this isn’t so bad!

Hey, these family games aren’t so bad at all. They’re actually really fun.

5. WE ARE WINNING NO MATTER WHAT.

When you get comfortable enough to get mad competitive.

6. WOW, these performances are amazing. Also, this CPP thing is so fun to watch.

Watching these people perform is so cool. Also, I wonder how spicy that salsa really is…

7. Workshops? I’m nervous…

Waking up and separating from familiar people to go meet more people and obtain more knowledge. Gosh, I’m nervous.

8. Oh, wow. This workshop presenter is amazing. I want to be like them.

Leaving a workshop and thinking to yourself…one day I want to be knowledgeable like them.

9. I feel so inspired.

I want to get out of my comfort and put in effort into what I do. I finally understand why I am here.

10. I FEEL SO CONNECTED AND I CAN RELATE TO EVERYONE.

WHERE HAVE THESE PEOPLE BEEN ALL MY LIFE.

11. Banquet Dinner? Wow, everyone truly is drop dead gorgeous. Wow.

HER DRESS, HER HAIR, HIS SUIT AND TIE. WOW.

12. Saturday Night? Time to have fun with all the new friends I made this weekend!

You successfully completed the main events, and now for some fun and relaxation!

13. I SWEAR I’VE KNOWN EVERYONE MY WHOLE LIFE, I DON’T WANT TO SAY GOODBYE, BUT THIS WON’T BE THE LAST TIME. SEE YOU AGAIN SOON. <3

At this point you’re already planning for the next time you see each other again, but you’re still unwilling to say goodbye so you linger just a little longer.

Written by Thanh Johnson

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Michael Huynh's Story

Name: Michael Huynh Age: 22 School: University of Minnesota Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota What was your overall experience? My overall experience of Via-1 would be something that I will cherish forever, to be able to interact with other Vietnamese all over the Midwest is something you cannot describe in words. Going from majority Vietnamese school in California to majority white school in Minnesota, made me forgot what it was like to be around Vietnamese people in general. Having coming to the University, being involved with VSAM, and going to VIA-1 made it possible for me to network and interact with other Vietnamese student all over the Midwest. Any specific workshops that you liked? I really liked the stereotypical Asian workshop. I think there should be one that build confidence, because most Asian are shy and does not know how to get out of their comfort zone. Why should students attend VIA-1? Students should attend VIA-1 because it is something that you won’t forget. Not only are you going there to network, attend workshops, and share the ideas of what you learn when you get back. It is also the bonding experience that is most enjoyable.

VIA1.org

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Kha Ly's Story

Name: Kha Ly School: University of Missouri Location: Columbia, Missouri What made you decide to join VIA-1? I wanted to join VIA-1 to build up the Vietnamese American community after attending my first uNAVSA in Washington, DC this past summer. There's so many promising people within our group and after attending the UVSA Midwest Leadership Retreat, it reaffirmed how proud I am to be a Vietnamese American and being able to share it with others who understand our struggles. What are you looking forward to at this year's VIA-1 conference? I'm most looking forward to meeting new people and building strong networks with students all over the Midwest. I'm also thrilled to see all the hard work the VIA-1 staffers have put into the conference. This is one you will definitely not want to miss!

VIA1.org

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Leesa Thai's Story

Name: Leesa Thai Age: 22 School: University of St. Thomas Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota What was your overall experience? It was an overall good conference. I learned more about the Vietnamese culture and issues. And I also got the chance to network with new people and become friends with. Would you say, you have to be Vietnamese to go? Not at all, just anyone who is interested in learning about the Vietnamese culture or who is also curious what VIA-1 can hold for them. Any specific workshops that you liked? Nothing specific, all of them were very educational and the ones I went to were more focused on the culture, which is a good thing because it really helps a lot of us learn more in depth about what our Vietnamese culture holds so we can understand the past in order to build the future. What did you like about the banquet? Beau Sia's performance was inspirational and really showed what spoken word was. Also, getting dressed up in formal attire with friends was fun. Favorite highlights of VIA-1? My favorite highlight from VIA-1 was the networking. Being able to meet with other Vietnamese  and non-Vietnamese students from the Midwest and getting to know them on a personal level of why they wanted to go to VIA-1. Why should students attend VIA-1? Students should attend because it's a great way to learn more about the Vietnamese culture and issues. It is also a great way to expand your network and meet not only people in your own state but from others as well.

VIA1.org

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Thuy Lan Doan's Story

Name: Thuy Lan Doan School: University of Minnesota How many VIA-1 Conferences have you attended? 2, Northwestern and Madison What is your favorite memory of VIA-1? My favorite memory is the group picture that we take in our official VIA-1 t-shirts. It is at the end of the conference and that moment really feels like we are interacting as one especially after spending an entire weekend with one another. Have you learned anything from attending VIA-1? I learned a lot of social skills. My networking has improved and going to the conference encouraged me to come out of my comfort zone to meet new people. I also got a different perspective about how people view Vietnamese-Americans in today's society. If you had to convince your best friend to attend VIA-1 this year, what would you say to them? If I were to convince my best friend to go, I would tell her that it's one of the best experiences of my life! It makes you feel connected to the Vietnamese community in a way that isn't possible within one school. To see other Vietnamese-Americans or even other people engage in the Vietnamese traditions and culture makes me feel proud to be Vietnamese. My best friend can meet tons of people and see another state! The workshops are engaging and you really get to know the people you came with.

VIA1.org

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Duy Dao's Story

Name: Duy Dao Hometown: Detroit, Michigan How many VIA-1 Conferences have you attended? I'd say roughly 6 or 7, give or take. My memory isn't so great. What was the last VIA-1 you attended? How was that VIA-1 different from the first? Improvements? The last VIA-1 I attended was in Wisconsin. The difference? Well...a lot has changed since the first. I believe the quality of workshops have improved dramatically since the first. What is your favorite memory of all your VIA-1 experences? I guess my favorite experience would be when Bao told me about an idea he had about creating a conference. Actually, the term he used was BIG EVENT. Next thing you know, VIA-1 was born. Sit with the OGs some time. You'll hear great stories. Why would you encourage other young adults to attend VIA-1? Born and raised in California I was surrounded by so many Vietnamese people. I didn't realize how good I had it until I moved to the Midwest. I encourage young adults to attend VIA-1 because you can learn so much. About where you came from. To hear stories and to have your own voice heard. And who doesn't like meeting new people? I've met some lifelong friends and created fond and extremely fun memories at VIA-1.

VIA1.org

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Caroline Ticarro-Parker's Story

Name: Caroline Ticarro-Parker Occupation: Executive Director of Catalyst Foundation Hometown: Northfield, Minnesota You attended the first ever VIA-1, what was that like? My first VIA-1 was the first time being introduced to a group of college students that were involved in an "Asian" group. It was a great opportunity to reach out to young Vietnamese adults to introduce them to Catalyst Foundation and recruit for our Culture Camp every summer! You also attended the 2009 VIA-1 Conference at Northwestern, have you seen any changes between them? I've been so impressed with the quality of workshops and speakers that have been a part of the conference. But what continues to impress me is that the participants are committed, passionate and future leaders! You are speaking again at this year's VIA-1, what do you look forward to most? I love being invited to be a part of VIA-1, to be inspired by a group that truly believes that they can make a difference in their community and the world! Any other thoughts about this conference? I hope that VIA-1 will continue for the next generation—for my children to be a part of a group that not only has common roots and a common cause, but are all for celebrating their individual talents!

VIA1.org

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Jessica Phan's Story

Name: Jessica Phan Age: 20 School: University of Wisconsin-Madison Hometown: Racine, WI How many VIA-1 Conference have you been to? One What was your most memorable moment about VIA-1? The banquet was most memorable for me. I really enjoyed the guest performers. They were spoken word artists, and Beau Sia was amazing. There was a lot of culture and roots involved and I felt that everyone bonded on a different level that night. We shared something and it was our culture. And the spoken word poetry was about culture as well. Did you like any workshops?  If so, which one and why? My favorite workshop was with Lac Su. Although I have not read his book (which I will in the near future), he talks about it in his workshop, and it's very touching. It's something you don't hear expressed very often, especially from elders. He let down his walls and told us his story, and I really appreciated that. What would you tell someone that is going to attend this year's conference to expect? EXCITEMENT! CULTURE! LEADERSHIP! NETWORKING! NEW FRIENDS! It's definitely a good experience, not only do you get to meet new people, you get to learn so much about yourself and your culture. You will definitely gain from this; there's nothing to lose.

VIA1.org

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Tou Vang's Story

Name: Tou Vang Age: 23 School: University of Minnesota Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota What was your overall experience? Really good and very enlightening and met a lot of people and I am willing to go again. Would you say, you have to be Vietnamese to go? Not at all. I myself am Hmong heritage so I feel anyone and everyone can go. Any specific workshops that you liked? All the workshops were very educational and enlightening. I enjoyed every single one. I didn't have a specific preference. What did you like about the banquet? Entertainment was really fun. All the speakers were very motivational and inspirational. Favorite highlights of VIA-1? Meeting all the new people and networking with them. Also being able to experience the conference from a non-Vietnamese perspective. What changes could be done to improve VIA-1? Having more selections in workshops so it's not so overwhelmed and more variety. But everything else was well transitioned well and set up well.

VIA1.org