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Lost in Translation: My Year in Vietnam and the English I Left Behind
Submitted by Steven Pham It was the spring of my third-grade year when my world shifted dramatically. My family decided to spend nearly a year in Vietnam, a choice that felt both exhilarating and daunting. Little did I know, this journey would lead me to a profound moment of change in my life. In Vietnam, everything was vibrant and new—the bustling streets filled with the sound of laughter and the fragrant aroma of street food. Surrounded by my family, I quickly became immersed in Vietnamese. With everyone speaking the language, I found myself picking it up effortlessly. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, while my English sat neglected…
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A Letter to My Past and Future Self
Dear Past and Future Me, I sit down to write this letter currently at the age of 20 years, 6 months, and 26 days. I find myself in a moment of reflection, caught between the memories of my past and the expectations of my future. At 20 years old, I stand on the threshold of adulthood as well as feeling like a child. I have thoughts of unrealistic dreams of the future like a child, but harsh realities headed my adult life. However...
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What My Mom Always Makes Me When I’m Sick: Made With Mother’s Love
As February comes to an end and winter starts to die down, so does my immune system. As a student that attends the University of Delaware but am from New York, my mother’s homemade meals aren’t always around for me. The thought of her homemade meals served hot and fresh from the stove never fails to make my mouth water. Getting sick isn’t the greatest feeling, but when I am in the comfort of my own home, it doesn’t hurt to have some delicious meals made by her. I’ll be showing some delicious meals she’d make for me when I’m sick!
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Why does it feel easier to make other Asian friends?
As someone who struggled growing up with double identities, I often wonder what group of people I most identify with and conform to. As someone who struggles to speak my native tongue or simply write my Korean name, I realized my reliance on my “Americanness” and its influence on what I perceive myself to be. Growing up as an immigrant, my biggest wish was to be accepted into the American culture and community. I would approach my white friends with hope that they would accept me as their own. I was lucky enough to have it easy making friends with this mindset, and I grew up surrounded by diverse friend…
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Embracing Ethical Duty: Obligation To Take Care of Parents
In this era where technological advancements are reshaping societies, the acceleration often outpaces the ability of aging parents to keep up. Consequently, the younger generation is entrusted with the ethical duty to ensure the well-being of their elders.
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Fatphobia in Asian Cultures: Unveiling the Layers of Body Image Stigma
Fatphobia—the irrational fear or aversion towards individuals with larger bodies—is a pervasive issue that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. While discussions on body image often focus on Western societies as they open up to the reality and embracement of each and every body, it is crucial to recognize that fatphobia also exists in Asian cultures, albeit manifesting itself differently. There are complexities of fatphobia in Asian societies that run in its cultural roots and manifestations, and end up causing many potential consequences.
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Hot Take: I’m Fine With Not Dating Before Marriage
“No dating before marriage” is a statement many Indian parents have told their children. I was raised with these values, but I’ve never disagreed with them. Don’t get me wrong—I have had crushes and romantic interests—but the values I have inherited from my parents have just been stronger. When I was younger I adopted this value without questioning it, but as I grew older my reasons behind these values grew stronger.
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Growing Up as the Youngest Child From an Immigrant Family
Being the youngest child, I have heard quite a few many stereotypes. We are known to be spoiled, attention-seeking, and even manipulative. Although I can’t confirm if I fit into these stereotypes myself, I do know that I would rather be the youngest child than the oldest, and that’s because of my brother.
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Exploring Myself: Culture and Gender
Poem by Eric Aquino.
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Unlearning Colorism
I think every Filipino girl has their fair share of horror stories about Titas who were much too grown and much too busy to have the time to be commenting on the appearance of girls who aren’t even theirs. To no fault but their own toxic upbringing, they judged anything and everything that caught their attention. Weight gain, weight loss, academics—the list goes on and on. However, there was one thing in particular that they would point out about without fail. Even more outside of my control than my fluctuating weight and static height—it was my skin color. Brown and so unlike the porcelain white skin that they believed to…
