Meet some of our Asian Studies majors.
Ethan Kerman ’25
Hometown: Portland, OR
Major: Urban & Environmental Policy, Chinese Studies
What was your motivation to major in Asian Studies?
I have been learning Mandarin since I was in an immersion elementary school, and my education and exposure to Chinese language and culture have been very influential in my life. I wanted to focus deeper on my studies in college, and the Chinese Studies program under the Asian Studies department was the perfect fit.
Can you describe your working relationships with Asian Studies professors?
The Asian Studies professors are all passionate about their subjects and encourage students to meet with them to discuss class material further. I particularly enjoyed Professor Day's East Asian Survey, which taught me so much about East Asian history. Additionally, all of my Chinese classes have been exceptional, and the professors have been instrumental in my Mandarin language studies, providing me with excellent instruction and unwavering support.
The Asian Studies professors are all passionate about their subjects and encourage students to meet with them to discuss class material further.
Do you plan to study abroad?
I am planning to study abroad in Spring 2024! I am considering either Beijing or Taiwan for a Chinese language intensive program. The International Programs Office at Occidental has been very helpful in exploring study abroad opportunities and finding programs that align with my goals.
What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?
After I graduate, I hope to attend graduate school to study environmental policy. I am also considering teaching English in China or Taiwan for a year before pursuing a master's degree. The liberal arts approach has been instrumental in shaping my academic interests and career aspirations. In the first two years of my Chinese and Urban & Environmental Policy majors, I have already explored a variety of areas, like female representation in Chinese films, landscape poetry in classic Chinese literature, Urban American history, and environmental ethics.
The liberal arts approach has been instrumental in shaping my academic interests and career aspirations.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in Asian Studies?
The Asian Studies department at Oxy has exceptional faculty, and there are plenty of resources available to support students. If you are interested in majoring in Chinese Studies, it is helpful to have some prior knowledge of the language, but it is not necessary. The Chinese classes are taught by fantastic professors who are passionate about teaching, and the school provides resources like language peer tutors to help students outside of class. Overall, majoring in Asian Studies is a rewarding and enriching experience.
Kevin Gao '25
Hometown: Beijing, China
Major: Asian Studies
What was your motivation to major in Asian Studies?
The reason that I chose to major in Asian Studies was due to my interest and sense of affiliation with Asian culture. Back in China, there is a saying that goes, "当局者迷 旁观者清," which translates to "Lookers-on see more than players." The better place to study my own culture is therefore outside of Asia. The Asian Studies department at Occidental has a very liberal academic atmosphere, perfect professors, and most importantly, is not tied to any nationalistic or ethnic interest groups. This allowed me to be free from bias and to learn to see Asia as it really is through objective analysis.
Can you describe your working relationships with Asian Studies professors?
The studying experience has been smooth. All the professors in the department are very helpful and accessible. I enjoy listening to lectures given by Asian Studies professors. My favorite is Professor Day's series of East Asia and China courses. The content in the classes was very subversive and inspiring to me.
The liberal arts education has made me value open-mindedness more than financial independence.
What do you find most compelling about studying Asian Studies?
Critical Thinking. Interdisciplinary Studies.
What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?
I will try to get a job and then apply to graduate school. The liberal arts education has made me value open-mindedness more than financial independence.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in Asian Studies?
This is the major for those who seek truth in Asian history, politics, and culture. It will help you train yourself to think outside the box.
Sara Masaki '25
Hometown: Fairfax County, Virginia
Majors: Asian Studies, Diplomacy & World Affairs; minor: Media Arts & Culture
What was your motivation to major in Asian Studies?
My friends and I started the Asian Student Association at my high school. We noticed that all the Asian student organizations in my area were East Asian focused, so we did a lot of research to make the association as inclusive as possible. Since then, my interest in Asian history, culture, and foreign relations has grown at Oxy.
Can you describe your working relationships with Asian Studies professors? Are there any standout classes you’ve taken?
I'd say I have a few pretty casual relationships with Asian Studies professors. It's nice that I can show up to office hours and not worry about being professional or formal—I'll ask some questions, crack some jokes, and have a good time. Every class I've taken with Professor Lin has been great and she has definitely encouraged me to go out of my comfort zone to create new things.
I like Asian studies because it allows me to take a wide variety of courses! I've taken politics, history, DWA, and MAC courses.
What do you find most compelling about studying Asian Studies?
I like Asian studies because it allows me to take a wide variety of courses! I've taken politics, history, DWA, and MAC courses that have all counted for Asian studies. I haven't had a chance to take an art history course relating to Asian studies but that's definitely on my college bucket list.
What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?
It's been a dream of mine to volunteer abroad, so I hope to do that after college. I also hope to enter the video journalism field so that I can share stories featuring voices and perspectives that are often misconstrued or overlooked by the media. The courses I've taken at Oxy have taught me to be more critical of existing media and norms. Also, I would not have dipped my toes in video-production without the flexibility of liberal arts education. However, what has been the most valuable experience at Oxy so far is the peers I've met and the conversations I have outside of the classroom.
The courses I've taken at Oxy have taught me to be more critical of existing media and norms. Also, I would not have dipped my toes in video-production without the flexibility of liberal arts education.
What is the “vibe” of the Asian Studies department?
The vibe of the department is chill. Since it's a small department, it's easy to get to know people since our interests usually align pretty well. Though I wish there were more department get-togethers because I want to get to know the Asian studies professors and students even more.
Back to Top
To see more Meet Our Majors profiles, visit the main page.