Much of his Occidental education has come outside the classroom, says Sam Phang ’06, a double-major in music and biology and a native of Malaysia. “I’ve learned lots of new things just by interacting with different people. I’d never even thought about race issues or class or gender. It’s given me a more global perspective. I’ve learned about people from other cultures, but I’ve also learned a lot about myself.”

Sam, who grew up in Taiwan, enrolled at Occidental on the advice of high school classmates who attended the College. More than 8,000 miles from home, he isn’t wrestling with homesickness. “Oxy’s close-knit community and its size make me feel this is a place I can call home,” he says.

Sam has been a member of the international orientation team for the past three years, helping students from abroad adapt and find their own voice in the College’s cross-cultural dialogue. “At a large campus, it’s really easy to disappear,” he says. “Here, you know you’re a really important part of the community. There’s a lot you can get involved with.”

Sam also has contributed to the College’s artistic scene, playing piano in the jazz ensemble. And with the help of Michael Hill, associate professor of chemistry, he's worked in the lab on such projects as converting light energy to chemical energy. He says he was drawn to Oxy in large part due to its strong academic tradition and the support of faculty.

“The professors want to help you,” Sam says. “They really like you to be there for office hours and have personal conversations. I feel I can ask them anything.”