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Navigating UVAsia FAQ, Part 1

It doesn’t matter if you’re the first person in your family to attend college in America, a legacy student, someone with siblings in college, or anywhere in between. Your first year of college, especially at a predominantly white institution, is scary! For today’s post, Navigating UVAsia will compile a list of the most common questions about college, from general topics to Asian American-specific questions.

What is party culture like at UVA?

Since UVA is a large school, you’ll find just about any type of party. UVA is famous (or infamous, depending on your perspective) for its bar scene! Bar hopping at the Corner is a common way to spend your weekend, whether you go to Trin’s Survivor Hour or Asado’s Thursday ½ off frozen margaritas!

Of course, if bar hopping isn’t your vibe, there are a plethora of house parties around Grounds! And if you’re not into the big party scene (I’m totally with you there!), you can always invite a small group of friends to your dorm and have a small kickback in whatever way works for you!

As a general rule of thumb, the most important things are sticking with a group of friends and not feeling pressured to do anything you don’t want to do. Sticking with friends is important for making sure you stay safe at parties (and it kinda sucks if you don’t know anyone at a party). And please, don’t do something just because you feel pressured to. Sometimes you don’t want to drink or consume other drugs, and sometimes you don’t even want to go to the party in the first place! That’s okay! The most important thing is that you’re having fun, and if it means skipping some aspects of party life, that’s 100% acceptable! No one should judge you for doing you!

How do I make friends in college?

Admittedly, this was my biggest fear coming into college, so I get the apprehension! At a big school like UVA, you’re bound to meet people from all walks of life, so it can be hard to find your group. If you’re a first year, the dorms are going to be the first place you’ll get to meet new people! By living in close proximity to 15-20 people for an entire school year, you’re bound to interact with your hallmates on a daily basis, which is an easy way to meet new people during your first couple weeks of college.

But if you don’t vibe with your first year hallmates (don’t worry, I didn’t vibe with mine either), the most common way to make new friends is through organizations. By joining clubs, you’ll frequently interact with people with the same interests and goals as you! Additionally, clubs are a way to take a break from the stress of classes!

Coming to a PWI, I thought I would get lost in the sea of whiteness that is UVA, but UVA offers many cultural organizations, Asian Greek life, and even Asian activist groups as ways to get closer to the Asian American community at UVA! No matter what you’re into, there’s bound to be an organization for you!

Another way to make friends is through your classes. We have a post dedicated to navigating the college classroom, so check that out!

What should I major in?

Speaking from personal experience, it feels like 90% of Asian American students come to UVA intending to major in a STEM field from engineering to pre-med, and this can be attributed to multiple factors such as familial pressures, the model minority myth, or the desire to make a lot of money. However, as Asian American students progress through college, many students eventually drop their pre-med or pre-comm plans and major in something else, and that’s perfectly OK! While we at Navigating UVAsia certainly don't have everything figured out, the most important piece of advice we’ll give is to major in something that you want, not other people want from you! Unless you’re an engineering, commerce, or nursing major, most degrees do not align with any specific career field, so don’t feel the pressure to major in something just because you think it will get you your dream job. Additionally, if you hate what you major in, you’re probably going to hate your career too!

While this FAQ does not answer every frequently asked question about college, we at Navigating UVAsia hope that this answers your most pressing questions as you enter college for the first time!

[uvasians]

Organization Spotlight: Asian Student Union at UVA

The Asian Student Union (ASU) is an advocacy organization on grounds interested in issues facing the Asian American community. It is made up of an executive board and 7 different committees. Just this school year, they implemented a general body, allowing any student to be a part of the organization without commitment. Every 2 weeks, ASU holds general body meetings about topics such as mental health and the effect of COVID-19 hate crimes on the Asian American community. These provide safe spaces for Asians and Asian Americans to learn and dialogue in an environment where they would be understood.

Below I have included some brief information on each committee and what they do!

Prospective Alumni Relations (PAR)

- Works with the Asian American Alumni Network for events such as Lunch with Alumni in the fall

- Holds escAPAde in the spring semester for prospective students to experience a weekend of college life

Advocacy

- Focuses on Asian American issues and bringing them to light through different events such as Not A Model Minority Campaign

Outreach

- Works with the greater Charlottesville community through various fundraising efforts

APIDAHM

- Stands for Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Month, which is usually recognized in May

- Celebrated in April due to finals with a variety of events celebrating Asian and Asian American heritage and culture

Marketing

- Makes flyers, graphics, and more to publicize events for the rest of the committees

Historic

- In charge of documenting events and archiving ASU history

Webmaster

- Runs the asuatuva.com website

Student Advisors

- Serve as a resource for other committee members and the general body in navigating college and life.

I joined ASU my second year as a member of the advocacy committee and was able to meet a lot of wonderful people who are so incredibly passionate about Asian American issues. I got to work on events like political engagement and the history of Asian American x Black American solidarity. I learned so much about topics that are not usually taught in the UVA classroom.

As I continue with ASU in my fourth year, I can confidently say that the organization continues to evolve into one that is deeply committed to fighting for Asians and Asian Americans at the university, and I am proud to be a part of it.

If you are interested, ASU will possibly be opening committee applications in the beginning of spring semester. Of course, you are also free to come out to a general body meeting at any time! Just follow the ASU instagram at @asu.at.uva :)

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Stepping into the UVA Classroom

One of the most important aspects of university life is the classroom, but sometimes this can be a little overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time taking classes at UVA. Below I have a few tips, so that navigating the classroom is a little easier!

Make a Class Friend

It is always easiest to struggle through work when you have someone else right beside you. If you are involved in a bigger organization, like one of the cultural organizations, I would recommend asking around to see if anyone is taking the same class as you. In organizations that large, there is usually one or two people that are enrolled in the same class and you guys will already have something in common. If you don’t know anyone in your class, just exchange phone numbers with the person you sit next to on the first day. They are probably also looking for someone to exchange information in the class and will usually be willing to build a class friendship with you. By doing so, you'll also have someone to sit next to everyday, which can make coming to class little less daunting.

Ask Questions

I will say this is something I struggle with; sometimes I don’t really feel like speaking up or even just speaking in class. I think COVID classes and the online semester made me realize that I can get through by classes through observation. However, I think that asking questions and participating in class is a good way to reaffirm the information that is being taught in class, and will ensure that you are getting the most out of any class you take at UVA.

Speak Up

UVA is a predominantly white institute, with a pretty small percentage of Asian professors. I have experienced a few instances where a professor may say something in their class that has subtle racist undertones, or in some cases may just say a blatantly racist statement. If you do experience something like this in one of your classes, I recommend to speak up about it! Call them out for their actions, as letting their words go unnoticed will make them think this behavior is okay and they will continue to speak in similar ways in the future. If you are uncomfortable with interrupting class to put down their racist statements, I would also recommend talking to them after class, or bringing it up to higher administration. We want to ensure that UVA is a place for all, but it is hard to achieve that goal when we all aren’t on the same page.

Of course these are only a few tips, but it doesn’t cover everything. I think that the best way to feel comfortable in the classroom is to experience the setting for yourself and find your own footing. But hopefully these tips can help you achieve that a little faster :).

[uvasians]

Strict Parents and College Freedom

As we all know, coming to college brings on a lot of new changes and experiences into our lives. From making new friends, to joining organizations, and taking classes you have never heard of before, college brings on two huge aspects, independence and freedom. With these two things, while a lot of good can happen, a lot of wrong and bad decisions may also occur.

Growing up with two sisters under the eyes of two immigrant parents, there wasn't much freedom for me to be able to do things my other friends were doing. From not being allowed to sleep over at people’s houses who weren't family to not being able to ride in a car with my friends to school, my parents set a lot of rules and restrictions on what I was allowed to do. While I was aware they set these rules for my own safety (sometimes I would hear about things my white friends were doing and I would think to myself “wow I’m glad my mom cares about me”) I couldn’t help but count down the days where I would leave for college and “be free”. To my surprise, finally arriving on grounds and being in my dorm alone for the very first time, with my parents being an hour and a half away, left me feeling excited but a little uneasy. My first few weeks on grounds were spent gauging and deciphering what the perfect balance of school and social life could look like. I spent time hanging out and meeting new people along with keeping up with my school work. While I was trying to find the perfect middle ground, I also witnessed the two extreme ends of the spectrum, people who refused to put aside work for a minute and people who couldn’t spend a minute doing work. The latter were usually people who came from very strict households and parents who were going to the extreme in order to feel like they were making up for lost time. I’m not sure who needs to hear it but that is definitely not how it works or has to be.

Coming to college, the first taste of freedom can be exhilarating. Witnessing a group of people who were not given any ounce of freedom to socialize and be whoever they wanted spiral out of control is a harsh slap to the face of what it means to be on your own. Although being at school gives you freedom and the opportunity to be independent, it is always good to know your limits. College is a time of exploration and finally being you without restrictions so it's understandable that you want to go out and do whatever you want but remember it is okay to have fun, just make sure you use your freedom wisely!

[uvasians]

The Truth About Being Asian at UVA

Simply put, being a student at the University of Virginia is hard, and it is even harder as a non-white student. Given the history of this university, many barriers were created and still exist to this day that restrict our ability to be students. As Asian and Asian American students, lingering hints of yellow peril hinder our success at this university.

What is “yellow peril”?

Yellow Peril was a term coined during the time in which Asian individuals were able to immigrate to the United States, and it refers to the fear that white individuals had when confronted with Asian immigration. Many white Americans were concerned that the increase of Asian individuals in the country would affect their abilities to get jobs, the overall American economy, capitalism, as well as other “Western” values.

Obviously, these ideals stemmed from xenophobia, and it was used to justify racist actions committed by white Americans against their Asian peers. Early showings of yellow peril included yellow face, hate crimes committed against Asian individuals, and more. Today, yellow peril still exists in the form of microaggressions as well as anti-Asian hate, which has become more prevalent since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

How does yellow peril continue at the University?

While mostly subvert, yellow peril and xenophobia towards Asian and Asian American students continue to this day.

In March of 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, all students who lived on-Grounds were sent home for the remainder of the semester. However, international students living on-Grounds were permitted to stay in Charlottesville (and some individuals living off-Grounds decided to stay, too). Two Chinese students had eggs thrown at them near the AFC (one of our gyms) by fellow students. While those who threw the eggs were never identified and their motives were never confirmed, it is more than likely that these actions stem from yellow peril and xenophobia, as many white individuals were blaming China for the COVID-19 crisis.

In 2021, various Asian and Asian American leaders throughout Grounds wrote an open letter to the University calling for the creation of an Asian and Asian American space. The letter gave an overview of why the space is needed on Grounds, how much it would cost, and how it would run. Despite large efforts by these students, the University has yet to act on the matter. Administration claims that we do not have the funds or the space to build this center, but the University of Virginia has an endowment of $14 billion, and they are continuously offering spaces to predominantly white groups at the University, including the University Guides Service (who recently got a new space), the Cavalier Daily, as well as the IFC and ISC. Does the University truly not have enough money or space for 16.6% of their undergraduate population, or are they simply afraid of what Asian and Asian Americans will do when given a space to convene?

So what now?

This blog post was written to call out the University of Virginia for its perpetuation of yellow peril throughout Grounds as well as provide insight to prospective Asian and Asian American students on what goes on behind the scenes at this institution. There are many students around Grounds who have continuously put in the work to create safer spaces for not only Asian students, but all marginalized identities.

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Sources: Asian Immigration: The “Yellow Peril” Chinese International Students at University of Virginia Have Eggs Thrown at Them A Case for the Creation of an Asian / Asian American Student Center

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Navigating Asian Greek Life

At UVA, there are four different Greek councils that house all the Greek Organizations. The Inter-Fraternity Council and the Inter-Sorority Council contain all of the organizations that are typically associate with the idea of fraternities and sororities in media, like in your average teen film. Usually these organizations are predominantly white, and have expensive dues that you have to pay every semester. There is also the National Panhellenic Council, which is the umbrella organization for historically Black Greek-lettered organizations. Finally, there is the Multicultural Greek Council, which acts as a place for any of the Greek organizations that don’t fall under the other three councils. Not only are there Asian-interest organizations, but there’s also Latinx organizations and even a LGBTQ and Allied Gender-Inclusive Fraternity.

The four primary Asian Greek organizations at UVA are alpha Kappa Delta Phi, Delphic of Gamma Sigma Tau, Lambda Phi Epsilon and Sigma Psi Zeta.

alpha Kappa Delta Phi (aKDPhi/kdphi) - the first and largest international Asian-American interest sorority. Their philanthropy centers around Brest Cancer Awareness.

Delphic of Gamma Sigma Tau (Delphics) - a historic multicultural fraternity that is one of the oldest independent fraternities in the country and the first official multicultural fraternity to be formed on the East Coast. The chapter at UVA has predominantly Chinese International members. Their philanthropy involves the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to commemorate a brother who passed, as well as furthering education in developing countries.

Lambda Phi Epsilon (Lambdas/lphie) - the world’s largest Asian-interest fraternity at the University of Virginia. Their philanthropy centers around Be The Match, a national registry for bone marrow donations decimated to helping patients in need of a bone marrow transplant

Sigma Psi Zeta (Sigmas/SYZ) - a multicultural Greek organization that has historically been Asian-interest, but not Asian-exclusive. Their philanthropy centers around combating gender-based violence.

Although these are just a short description of each of the organizations, it would be a lot easier to get to know the organization through interactions. Usually, each of these organizations will host recruitment weeks at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semester, which is free and non-binding. Through these events, students are given the opportunity to meet members of the respective organizations, as well as learn about the organization’s history and values.

Many of these organizations also offer payment plans and other ways to cover costs of dues, in order to make membership accessible to anyone. For example, there are opportunities to work concessions for UVA sporting events, which is a good way to knock out a significant portion of semester dues.

Overall, although UVA is a predominantly white institution, there are still ways for Asians and Asian Americans to be able to find a home within Greek life. These organizations are not only a way to find a “forever family”, but also a great way to create an impact on our community and leave behind a legacy through philanthropic and service endeavors.

[uvasians]

Combatting the Model Minority Myth

The model minority myth is the most common, yet most misunderstood, Asian American stereotype. If you asked Asian students at UVA what the biggest problem in the Asian American community, many would respond with the model minority stereotype. But since most K-12 schools don’t discuss Asian American history, many Asian American students don’t fully comprehend the model minority myth. While we can’t go as in-depth as we’d like here at UVAsians, we’ll explain the history of the model minority myth and how to combat it in your daily classroom experiences.

History

The model minority myth has its origins in an article written by William Petersen in 1966 titled “Success Story, Japanese-American Style.” In this article, Petersen highlights that despite receiving some of the “worst” racism at the time, Japanese Americans did not complain and overcame their racist hurdles. Since this article was published, the model minority myth is weaponized by white Americans as a way to discriminate against African Americans. By attributing hard work and intelligence with the Asian race, white Americans portray Asian Americans as model minorities for Black Americans to look up to; this is done to blame systemic racism on the Black individual.

How This is Harmful for Asian American Students (especially at UVA)

Because Asian Americans are often perceived as “model minorities” who don’t need support, the concerns and struggles of Asian students often go unnoticed, especially at a PWI like UVA. Despite being the largest racial minority at UVA, the Asian American Studies department is lacking in resources and institutional support, and requests for an Asian American student center or other safe spaces for Asian students on Grounds have been rejected by school administrators. Us at UVAsians are not claiming that Asians are more oppressed than other people of color. Rather, the issues that Asian Americans face often go unnoticed and unaddressed as a result of the model minority myth rendering our struggles invisible.

How to Combat the Model Minority Myth in your Everyday Life

The model minority myth existed long before we were born, and it will likely still exist even as we age. But as college students, we have the power to fight this stereotype and make a difference, even if it doesn’t seem noticeable.

One: Define your own version of success.

This may initially sound cliche, but a lot of the reason why the model minority myth is perpetuated is because we as Asian Americans subconsciously buy into versions of success created by white American society. Growing up in the United States, we’ve been conditioned to think that we must be intelligent or must be good at math because we’re Asian. But it’s okay to not push yourselves to these unrealistic standards of success just to make yourself feel worthy. You’re in college after all! This is your time to explore and pursue what satisfies you, not what satisfies society’s expectations of you.

Two: Explore Asian Cultural Organizations

While your classes should obviously be a big priority, I actually think your biggest priority should be building and maintaining a solid group of people you can lean on in hard times. Having friends you can talk to during difficult times is crucial because our mental health concerns often go unaddressed, especially since people assume we’re doing okay because we’re Asian. The problem is that at PWIs like UVA, most of the places are majority white, so there may be some cultural differences or racist attitudes that can make you feel out of place. The good thing about UVA is that there are so many Asian cultural organizations, from CSA to OYFA to VSA to KSA to many many many many more, so you’re bound to find a family of friends who share similar backgrounds and experiences as you. These Asian cultural organizations also provide a safe space for Asian students to relax and be themselves.

Three: Get Involved in Asian Activism

One of the easiest ways to combat the model minority myth is to get involved in Asian American activism at UVA. Many organizations such as the Asian Student Union, Asians Revolutionizing Together, and Asians Leader Council work as community leaders and activists to address community issues.

[uvasians]

Using UVA’s Mental Health Resources as an Asian/Asian American Student

The topic of mental health is one rarely talked about within many Asian and Asian American families. It is even more difficult to know the right ways to take care of your mental health. Going to college provides the opportunity to change that. UVA offers something called CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) to assist students with mental health related issues. Their services include individual and group therapy. As someone who has visited CAPS countless amounts of times, I can say that they are only adequate. In my opinion, it is best to think of them as a good stepping stone to better care. It should be noted that my experience is one out of many, and what worked for me might not work for you, so please keep that in mind! Before coming to UVA, I knew that I wanted to receive some sort of therapy. Fortunately, CAPS is free, and they won’t tell your parents if you decide to use their services. Unfortunately, you do have to really advocate for yourself in order to get help, which can feel demoralizing. You need to be adamant that you are someone who deserves care. While CAPS might be adequate in handling general mental health like school related anxiety or depression, they are not made to deal with issues that face many Asian American students such as racism, intergenerational trauma, and identity crises. Even though I was receiving help, there was always a part of me that knew I would never get the holistic care I needed. The closest I ever got to being able to work through things like that are in predominantly Asian and Asian American spaces such as OYFA, ASU, and WAALI. While it was nice that we could all bond over our trauma, it would have been even better if there was a mental health professional with the knowledge of how to best help us. The lack of Asian American mental health professionals is one greatly felt at UVA. If you’re passionate about this issue, I definitely recommend speaking with the advocacy committee in the Asian Student Union, who is doing a lot of good work to get more representation! If you have any questions about CAPS or just want to talk to see what your options are, you can contact me, Kathryn, at kg2ej@virginia.edu :)

[uvasians]

Asian Restaurants at UVA

Kuma Sushi-Noodles & Bar located on the Corner, across the street from Crozet Buddhist Biker Bar

Coming to UVA as not only a first year transitioning from high school to college, but as someone who was brought up within a certain culture transitioning to a PWI, brings a lot of new changes. One of the biggest and most important can be seen in the food and restaurant options. When you're tired of the bland white people food from Ohill or the long lines for dry, tasteless chicken at Runk, there are a number of asian restaurants in Cville to explore! From the Dairy Market which houses food from the Philippines (Little Manila) to the Downtown Mall which has a number of east asian cuisine places, there's nothing more comforting than food that reminds you of home. While dining halls have “asian food nights'' once in a blue moon, we can all tell that there's not much effort put into them to make them authentic :( Check out these few restaurants in Cville for the closest taste of home!

On the Corner:

Got Dumplings: A quick and cheap way to get your fill! From an array of dumplings to fried rice to boba and even ramen, Got Dumplings is a favorite by UVA students. If you don’t feel like walking all the way to the Corner check out the Amphitheater’s food truck schedule to see when they’re available!

Lemongrass: Sit down at Lemongrass for some Thai and Vietnamese food!

Kuma: Serving an array of food, Kuma is the go-to place for delicious sushi and bento boxes! Sit next to an IU Soju Ad and enjoy!

Asian Express: A little further down the Corner, near the Flats and the Standard you’ll find quick serve takeout Chinese and sushi!

Near JPA:

Yuan Ho: A fan favorite for Sunday’s when you’re too lazy to get out of your dorm and want large portions of delicious Chinese food! Make sure to tip your Grubhub driver!

Silk Thai: Go to Silk Thai for some delicious Thai food! Sit down for a nice ambient dinner or order it to go! Never study on an empty stomach!

Mashumen: Tired of cup noodle ramen in your dorm? Head down JPA to Mashumen for authentic Japanese ramen!

Downtown Mall and Others:

Doma, and Maru: Two of the only restaurants that serve authentic and delicious Korean food! A little on the pricey side but all worth it for some good food after a night of studying for finals!

Milan Indian Cuisine: A student favorite for Indian food! Located down the road from Barracks on Emmett, sit down and enjoy or order takeout of your favorite Indian dishes!

Now we know it's not your parents’ home cooked meals but it's the best we can do living in a place like Charlottesville. You have to work with what you've got!

[uvasians]

Finding a Home at a PWI

OYFA at Culturefest 2021

As students at a predominately white institution, it can be difficult to find a space in which you feel comfortable–a space that makes you feel as though you belong. Some of your classmates might turn to Greek life, others may join Student Council, but it is often difficult to find people similar to yourself in these spaces. 

There are various organizations on Grounds that are dedicated towards creating spaces for other Asian and Asian Americans, including Asian cultural organizations, advocacy groups, Asian-interest Greek life, and more. This blog post is dedicated towards introducing cultural organizations on Grounds. 

Asian cultural organizations offer a space to learn more about a specific culture and also a social space. The Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), Chinese Student Association (CSA), the Organization of Young Filipino Americans (OYFA), Indian Student Association (ISA) amongst others, host various events, such as annual culture shows, bonding events, parties and more. What is interesting about these cultural organizations is that you don’t have to be a part of the culture to be a member. I am a Filipino American, and I am actively involved in OYFA, but I am also a member of VSA. Cultural organizations allow for you to learn about other cultures and celebrate them with those who are a part of the culture! 

Each separate cultural organization is very different from one another. OYFA is special in that it revolves around a big-little system, where first years (and all new members) are paired with an older member who serves as their mentor. VSA and CSA is similar but stresses the family system more; new and returning members are placed into families that bond, and big-little pairs are formed by the members themselves. 

As mentioned earlier, each organization has their own culture show that typically contains an original skit, traditional dances, modern dances, and other musical performances. The goal of these events is to showcase the organization’s culture to the UVA and Charlottesville communities, and it serves as a great bonding experience for their members.

Each organization typically holds philanthropic events, too! OYFA holds Filipino Food Night, a restaurant-style event where the community can come purchase authentic, homemade Filipino food and watch live performances. All proceeds go towards the OYFA Excellence Scholarships, one of which goes towards a current first year to continue their studies at the University, and the other goes towards a college student in the Philippines. OYFA also holds various events throughout the year where proceeds go towards UNICEF Philippines and the PUSO Foundation.

There are various organizations on Grounds that are meant to give space to Asian and Asian Americans to find a home at UVA. Of course, there are other organizations not specifically Asian-focused in which Asian students at UVA find a home in, but these organizations are still important.