Sparks Magazine Issue No. 25 | University of Florida

ISSUE 25 | FALL ‘23

at the University of Florida

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Liana Progar MANAGING EDITOR Norah Layne FINANCIAL DIRECTOR Breanna Pham LEAD DESIGNER Maliha Versi COPY EDITOR / WEB EDITOR Jolina Jassal PR DIRECTOR Jenna Ho & Kendall Ng

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Amy Pham MANAGING EDITOR Krisha Patel FINANCE DIRECTOR Fariah Ansari CONTENT EDITOR Quyen Tranh DESIGN EDITOR Amreen Naveen PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Kaniz Angel PR DIRECTOR Ishita Sen PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR Yasaswi Nimmagadda

WRITER Kaylee Duong • Samanthaka Nandam • Arielle Colon • Ginger Yang • Monique Toon • Ibrahim Itani • Khadija Nemazie • Norah Layne • Jolina Jassal • Kendall Ng • PHOTOGRAPHER Liana Progar • Norah Layne • Kaylee Duong • Khadija Nemazie • AJ Johnson • DESIGNER Maliha Versi • Arielle Colon • Khadija Nemazie •

COVER PHOTO Refat Roja DESIGN Elyza Navarro MODEL Cheyenne Diaz

WRITER Abdul Moeed Zahid • Aditi Dhruve • Aditi Ragothaman • Alphy Maria Antony • Anushri Gade • Deeksha Sridher • Fariah Ansari • Huong Phan • Huzefa Johar • Ishita Sen • Kaniz Angel • Khoa Hoang • Marilyn Nguyen • Merita Mary Thomas • Mridula Singh • Nimrit Doad • Quyen Tran • Ramya Subramanian • Reagan Huynh • Riya Choksi • Sanikaa Thakurdesai • Sanjana Nallapati • Serena Bhaskar • Shubhi Verma • Vaidehi Persad • Yasaswi Nimmagadda • PHOTOGRAPHER Anisha Paudel • Dan Pham • Jayce Jiang • Kaniz Angel • Khoa Hoang • Mridula Singh • Simran Thakral • Teju Calambakkam • DESIGNER Amreen Naveen • Anisha Paudel • Daniela Kate Abaquita • Dat Pham • Ishita Sen • Jayce Jiang • Khoa Hoang • Merita Mary Thomas • Nandhu Shankar • Nimrit Doad • Riya Choksi • Sanikaa Thakurdesai • Sanjana Nallapati • Sayuri Gautam • Shifa Shaikh • Smyrna Davalath • Teju Calambakkam •

NATIONAL BOARD FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK SPARKS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA INSTAGRAM @uf_sparks_mag sparks-mag.com

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jason Liu CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Aleem Waris MARKETING DIRECTOR Ingrid Wu CHAPTER MANAGER Samia Alamgir LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER Esther Zhan WEB DEVELOPER Chris Tam

E-BOARD

Editor-in-Chief Loryn Smith • Managing Editor Aliza Ahmed • Financial Director Marium Abdulhussein • Lead Copy Editor Karen Zhang • Copy Editor Yeleeya Li • Copy Editor Justin Fernandez • Design Editor Elyza Navarro Design Editor Kate Lynne Pudpud • PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Refat Roja • PR Director Destiny Tran • PR Director Ellie Uchida-Prebor

STAFF

WRITER Morgan Hurd • WRITER Aize Hassan • WRITER Annie Wang • WRITER Sabrina LaVopa • WRITER Abby Renger • WRITER Leila Wickliffe • WRITER Zainab Nawaz • WRITER Sienna Chien • WRITER Zarin Ismail • DESIGNER Lauren Shee • DESIGNER Madison Edwards • DESIGNER Divya Somayaji • DESIGNER Shiyin Hong • DESIGNER Tina Mei • DESIGNER Joy Chen • DESIGNER Cynthia Nguyen • DESIGNER Jackie Truong • DESIGNER Skylar Rosario • DESIGNER Joshua Barcenas • PHOTOGRAPHER Carolina Tortorelli • PHOTOGRAPHER Leyun Wang • PHOTOGRAPHER Kat Tran • PHOTOGRAPHER Leanne Lucas • PHOTOGRAPHER Logan Timko • PHOTOGRAPHER Anushka Raviprasad • PHOTOGRAPHER Rayvin Velasco • PHOTOGRAPHER Minh Anh Do • PUBLICITY Ashley Twilley • PUBLICITY Michelle Tang • PUBLICITY Isana Schroder • PUBLICITY Maika Huynh • PUBLICITY Jiya Bhatt • PUBLICITY Nam Tran • WRITER Justin Fernandez FALL 2023 | 3

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR DEAR READER, I am beyond excited to present to you Issue 25: Kaizen.

When I joined UF Sparks Magazine in the fall of my freshman year, I never expected to meet so many thoughtful, innovative and truly inspiring individuals.

The most unique aspect of this organization is not just the content we create but those who make up our staff – the stories they have to tell, the ways they engage in our community and the passion they so selflessly share with us. This organization continues to be a reminder that the art we make – in any form – is a labor of love and a message curated with purpose.

I hold this issue close to my heart not only because it marks my third year with the magazine but also because of the message it hopes to send. Just as kaizen is built upon the philosophy of continuous improvement, Issue 25 is an ode to all the work done before us, as well as the embodiment of positive change as we move forward.

Kevina Lee established Sparks Magazine as a student organization at the University of Florida in 2010, and by 2017 the magazine had established chapters at the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida. Each year, our organization has grown larger and our stories spread further. Each editor-in-chief and executive board member has exacted their own small yet impactful changes, and I am beyond honored to be a part of this metamorphosis. Now, with Issue 25, we celebrate past and present, tradition and innovation, and everything in between.

Thank you to an amazing executive board and staff for bringing these stories to life. Sparks Magazine would be nothing without them.

Here’s to another year of continuous growth.

WITH LOVE, LORYN SMITH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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CONTINENT OF PRIDE: 06 LGBTQ+ ACROSS ASIA SABRINA LAVOPA

TILES AND FAMILY TIES 08 JUSTIN FERNANDEZ

THE MYSTICAL TRADITION OF 10 CHINESE MEDICINE ABBY RENGER

MANGA? MANHWA? 12 MANHUA? ANNIE WANG

DEVIANCE TURNED 14 SELF-EXPRESSION MORGAN HURD

READING BETWEEN 16 THE LINES LEILA WICKLIFFE

CULTURAL AWARENESS IN 18 THERAPY: DOES IT HELP? ZARIN ISMAIL

AN ODE TO THE BIG NEWS 20 ZAINAB NAWAZ

FiNDING YOURSELF 22 AIZE HASSAN

WORLD WIDE OR 24 HOME BOUND? SIENNA CHIEN

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Continent of Pride: A look into the experiences of queer individuals throughout Asia written by Sabrina LaVopa

H

She confided that, “when the referendum for same sex marriage first came out, one of my close friends was talking about how all of her family was voting against it.” The older generations still hold prejudiced opinions against LGBTQ+ people, but the younger generations in Taiwan are increasingly supportive of queer rights. Challenging long-standing societal norms, the new generation is working toward creating a more inclusive future for the queer community throughout Taiwan.

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The past decade has been filled with both hardships and triumphs for the LGBTQ+ community across the continent.

In eastern Asia, places such as Hong Kong and the Philippines are taking strides towards granting queer people equal rights. Hong Kong’s Court of Appeals confirmed the legal recognition of same-sex partnerships in September 2023. While this ruling doesn’t make homosexual marriage a constitutional right, it still represents a momentous achievement and demonstrates the incredible efforts of queer rights activists in East Asia.

Similarly, in the Philippines, Geraldine Roman serves as the first openly transgender person in the House of Representatives. For the last few years, Roman has pushed for the passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression Bill, which promotes the inclusion of protections for LGBTQ+ people and challenges societal norms in the Philippines. However, just like in Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Philippines face challenges with current public attitudes towards queer individuals.

Frank Wong, a professor at Florida State University, studies the cause and impacts of HIV and AIDS on Asian communities. His research examines some of the difficulties that force many queer individuals in Asian communities to keep their sexual orientation or gender identity hidden; religion, family backlash and societal ostracization place high on this list.

model/ Nam Hoang

Although there is political progress being made, societal pressures and expectations still impact the lives of queer people in Asia. An anonymous international student at the University of Florida explained that despite Taiwan being liberal in its policies for queer couples, societally there are still harmful stereotypes associated with being gay. Being of Taiwanese-Korean descent and having grown up in Taiwan, she has first-hand experience with the pressures and expectations attached to the LGBTQ+ community in Taiwan. “There was still a lot of stigmas with gay couples and, to an extent, lesbian couples.”

Currently standing as the only country in Asia that affords full governmental protections and rights to same-sex relationships, Taiwan is a beacon of hope for queer people throughout Asia. But the prohibitions present in other Asian nations don’t stop activists and lawmakers from working to give LGBTQ+ people the rights they deserve.

design by/ Tina Mei

In 2019, Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, following up in 2023 with legislation that grant these couples full adoption rights.

photos by/ Logan Timko

undreds of people gather outside of Taipei City Hall, armed with banners and flags and dressed in outfits of every color. It is late October, but the island country maintains the heat of summer, making the sweaty crowd shift with anticipation as they wait for the event to begin.

As the opening speaker concludes their piece, the crowd erupts into cheers, and the parade begins. Taiwan’s annual pride parade – Asia’s largest celebration of LGBTQ+ people – floods the streets of the capitol with music and dance, spreading the atmosphere of joy to onlookers.

LGBTQ+ Across Asia “I think it’s important for Asian families who probably don’t want to talk about this topic.”

-Dr. Frank Wong In an interview, Wong stated his hope for increased conversation around the sexual health of queer Asian men.

By becoming more informed on the realities of being HIV positive, he hopes that the stigmatization of these groups will decrease. “It’s so important not only for people that are negative, but especially for people that are positive.”

Efforts to promote education on queerness within Asian communities will in turn create safer environments for queer Asian people to seek the necessary help from those around them.

There is still much to be done, but each step towards equal protection is a victory worth celebrating. Other parts of Asia are also experiencing an increasing amount of legislative support for LGBTQ+ rights. For instance, Nepal’s Supreme Court passed an order in 2023 that allowed for the temporary registration of non-heterosexual marriages.

This follows in the wake of a 2020 Supreme Court ruling

that allowed for people to identify as a third gender on government documents.

Shubhika Aqarwal, an Indian American student at the University of Florida, shares their experiences as a queer person in India, explaining the country’s long and complicated relationship with queerness. “Colonization was really the biggest thing that made [homosexuality] looked down upon . . . it cemented with image, that queer relationships are one of the things that make India a backward uncivilized nation.” Having lived in North India for much of grade school, they are able to reflect on the societal treatment of queer and gender non-conforming people in this region.

Aqarwal expresses their wish for more visibility and awareness of historical queerness in India: “I’d like to see better treatment of the Hijra community, which is the third gender community.” An ingrained part of South Asian cultural heritage, they suffer greatly from the societal prejudices and discriminations that affect many LGBTQ+ people in this region. In many Asian societies, the narrative surrounding these once-respected groups has been warped with time, turning them from a symbol of cultural heritage to a disgraced, shunned group in society.

While this back and forth between pro-LGBTQ+ and antiLGBTQ+ groups continues in Asia, there are ways for those living abroad to aid queer people throughout the continent.

Helem, a nonprofit based in Lebanon, focuses on the rights of gay people living in southwest Asia, offering mental wellness and legal counseling services to queer individuals that need them. International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) Asia provides a global platform for different queer rights groups to collaborate on amplifying and bringing attention to the issues of LGBTQ+ people across Asia. The existence of these organizations demonstrates the growing support for queer people in Asian countries worldwide.

By donating to these organizations and vocalizing support for the queer rights movement in Asia, people abroad can give those living in affected areas hope for a better future.

There is a distinct need for community and allyship between interest groups, individuals, and political organizations across all countries and continents. The last few years have seen increased rights for queer people throughout Asia, while also bringing to light the work that still needs to be done in order to achieve a truly inclusive society. With strong cooperative efforts, people around the globe can change the narrative surrounding the LGBTQ+ community and make Asia – and the world – a more inclusive place.

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TILES AND FAMILY TIES THE CIRCULATION OF MAHJONG THROUGH COUNTRIES, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS written by Justin Fernandez

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here are four winds, four seasons, four flowers… and four seats at the table, meant for family. Since mahjong’s creation in China in the 1800s, the collection of tiles has grown to become a family staple across Asia, as the signature, competitive Asian party board game.

Older APID generations commit themselves to keeping traditions alive, and mahjong is no different.

Sara Escobar, a third-year Filipino health science and anthropology dual major, recalls being taught by her grandpa — her Lolo — when she was only 12. “He visited from the Philippines . . . and when my mom was busy, he’d play it with me and my brother, just the three of us.”

Despite growing up in different environments, being two generations apart and on opposite sides of the

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“I’m not sure about my older relatives, because they’re not very tech-savvy… but I wish I could play with my Lolo again.”

-Sara Escobar Rachel Joa, a second-year Taiwanese-Chinese American finance major, echoed this sentiment. “The first time I ever learned to play mahjong wasn’t even with the real tiles. I learned through mahjong cards that my mom brought from Taiwan when she first immigrated here to America.”

And as times moved on, different Asian immigrant groups brought their own individual variations of mahjong to the States.

Ethnic variations, such as Riichi mahjong or Filipino mahjong, became increasingly popular across the nation, and this diversity is especially visible on UF’s campus.

design by/ Lauren Shee model/ Brandon Nguyen

Mahjong is believed to have diffused to the United States in 1920 from China, where an official set of rules was written as a prototype of the modern-day variation of “American Mahjong.” The game became wildly popular among both Chinese immigrants and native non-Asian populations, serving as a cultural centerpiece for the Chinese American community in the U.S.

photos by/ Minh Do

Cultural Diffusion

Pacific, the desire to maintain tradition within the family was strong. Maintaining tradition means maintaining its values and opening communication between generations. Distance and language barriers can obstruct understanding of distant relatives, but simply teaching the next generation about a family tradition can bind them to each other. In Escobar’s case, her family ties are proven through the tiles.

Even different regions within China can have slight differences. “My family background is mostly from the Guangzhou and Hong Kong areas, while my roommates are from Fuzhou. When I moved here, I had to learn the other version,” Joa explained. It can be difficult for students to find one person that plays the same ethnic variation as them — let alone three, which is needed for most variations. To solve this quandary, many APIDA students opt for teaching the rules to their close friends. They effectively maintain tradition, passing on generational knowledge to those they would consider as family.

“You know you’re part of the family when they start tearing you apart. It means they’re treating you as their equal.”

-Rachel Joa Online apps are useful for both learning the game and playing it around the world. Escobar reported using an app to learn Riichi mahjong — a traditionally difficult Japanese variation — with friends from Europe and across the United States. Still, however, she considers using the apps to connect with her family in the Philippines.

Cultural Connection

they’d use it as an excuse for me to get money without my parents saying ‘go accept it.’”

“Playing for money” is a culturally significant addon to the game. Because it has elements of both luck and skill, mahjong is popularly known as a gambling game, and this reputation bleeds into family gatherings. It is traditional to add stakes to the game in some way to make winning more exciting, whether through real money or Monopoly money.

But there are more traditions attached to the game than just gambling, as Joa explained. “It’s not your typical tradition, but it’s still a cultural experience . . .” she began, “. . . to play the game with your parents, and immediately get annihilated by them.” For Joa, mahjong was the perfect medium for her parents to demonstrate their love language of choice: tough love.

Joa and Chyi’s relationships with money could not be more different — one constantly losing money, the other constantly winning it — but their relationships with family grow stronger nonetheless. Indeed, the exchange of money through hands is representative of a greater exchange of affection between people.

While reminiscing on her childhood, Joa described mahjong as “that one game that all the adults play at that one table in the corner, at every family gathering, which keeps us all there until three in the morning.” As a strategy game, it is typical for parents to hide the rules of mahjong from their children until they feel worthy.

“It’s a rite of passage,” she described, “where once you’re old enough, you’ll be taught the trade secrets on how to play.”

Vera Chyi, a second-year Chinese-Korean American psychology major, explained how mahjong actually helped her bond with her grandaunts the moment she became “old enough.”

“My family tried to go to China at least once a year during summer breaks, and since I was 8 or 9 I’d sit at a table with my great aunts while they’d all collectively teach me how to play. They’d all take turns looking at my hand to help me win… and because we were ‘playing for money,’

In each student’s story, there is a common thread of learning the game from and for their family. For their parents, grandparents, grandaunts, each student put in the effort to learn a game they knew their relatives would enjoy. And they play to share in that joy, to join in with the family, to give and receive both money and love.

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written by Abby Renger

TCM in Modern America

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n order to take full advantage of what Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has to offer, Americans must begin with a willingness to learn more about the centuries-old field of medicine. Seemingly, with the extensive increase in research being conducted and open-mindedness of younger generations, TCM is starting to be taken more seriously in the U.S. TCM is founded on the belief that the human body defaults to a state of balance between opposite energies, and an imbalance between those energies is what leads to illness, disease or discomfort. According to Iris Guo, an acupuncture physician at Yan Acupuncture in Gainesville, “there’s a really firm belief that we are part of nature. We are in sync with nature. When our body is not in tune with nature . . . this causes the imbalance and that’s where disease occurs.”

Many people prefer TCM based on the many side effects associated with Western medicine. According to a University of Florida student whose family member is a TCM physician, “TCM takes both a holistic and personalized approach to each patient.

The patient’s symptoms are first taken into consideration; then, an expert will modify [a model] prescription by addition or deletion of herbs . . . for the better treatment of the individual’s diseases.”

TCM is highly individualistic, not only in its use, but also in one’s ability to choose a TCM treatment over Western alternatives. For example, Guo was drawn to a career in TCM after being in a lifealtering car accident. Once she was finally discharged from the hospital, she was prescribed Western pain medication. Wanting to avoid the highly addictive painkillers, she sought out other means for pain relief. For Guo, acupuncture was the solution.

Now, after years of intensive education, she is able to provide that same relief for many others. TCM has even become an entrusted alternative for those recovering from addiction to pain medication.

These methods consist of acupuncture or acupressure, herbal medicine, Chinese massage, exercise like tai chi and more. Today, strides are being made in the field of acupuncture, specifically.

Americans are progressively turning to acupuncture for pain management and fertility treatments.

Years before TCM gained any credibility in America, its unconventionality appealed to certain patients. In the late 19th century, women’s healthcare was sorely lacking, and women often found themselves needing to seek alternative healthcare.

Chinese traditional medicine doctors subverted the stereotype forced on them and used the “alternative” label to provide a welcoming space for those, particularly women, that were turned away from or unsatisfied with Western medicine.

These women took particular interest in Chinese herbal medicine. Driven away from mainstream employment opportunities, ostracized Chinese immigrants embraced the ability to provide a very different opportunity for health care.

Once they demonstrated their well-founded abilities to heal various illnesses, Chinese apothecaries became integral parts and even respected leaders of their communities.

Despite the esteem apothecaries earned from their small communities, it would still be a very long time until there was any widespread credibility associated with TCM. Historically, TCM’s credibility has been dependent on the word of those with an incomparable degree of influence on the American Public.

“Acupuncture remained relatively unknown to the U.S. public until former President Nixon’s trip to China in 1972, where acupuncture as a potentially useful medical modality was noticed by the visiting people from the United States. . . . Just prior to Mr. Nixon’s trip to China, James Reston, vice president of The New York Times, had an appendectomy performed in Beijing, China, under acupuncture anesthesia. He was awake during the entire surgical procedure.”

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It was only with the credibility of the President of the United States that there was a period of interest toward TCM. Dr. Weidong Lu, an acupuncture physician and researcher at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, shared how he was brought to the U.S. to lead the development of what is now the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living. At the time, an influential politician in New York, Leonard P. Zakim, found that acupuncture treated the side effects of his cancer treatment much more effectively than any other methods he had previously used. Zakim was able to influence the Dana Farber Cancer Institute to open the Integrative Therapies Center.

Thanks to Zakim and the work of Dr. Lu, TCM research is able to be investigated in much greater capacities, including specific areas such as oncology acupuncture.

design by/ Cynthia Nguyen

History of TCM in America

photos by/ Leanne Lucas

“The methods used in TCM are used to assist the body in healing, or returning to a balanced state, on its own.”

Eastern versus Western Medicine

Bias Against TCM is Ubiquitous Today there is still an active push back against the encouragement of TCM. Despite the field being entirely individualized, it is still very difficult to spread awareness about the treatment options available without criticism. Just in 2019, the Scientific American published a paper on TCM saying: “To include TCM in the ICD is an egregious lapse in evidence-based thinking and practice. . . . To be sure, many widely used and experimentally validated pharmaceuticals, including aspirin, decongestants and some anticancer chemotherapies, were originally derived from plants or other natural sources.

Those drugs have all gone through extensive clinical testing of safety and efficacy, however. Giving credence to treatments that have not met those standards will advance their use but will also diminish the WHO’s credibility.”

The Scientific American, although an established scientific journal, has flagrantly ignored the mass amounts of research done in China and questions the credibility of the World Health Organization based on a limited, American-centric perspective.

TCM practitioners vary in motivation and experience; however, so do American physicians. Some maintain that TCM is a hoax,

but the responsibility lies on the patient to research their TCM practitioner as much as they would research any other physician.

Unfortunately, there is an enormous discrepancy between the amount of information available about Western medicine compared to the information accessible about TCM, but it is not for a lack of trying.

The anonymous UF student shared that their family member always takes the time to thoroughly explain the purpose and thinking behind the TCM treatments to each of their patients, and they are certainly not the only TCM practitioner to do so.

Revolutionizing Traditions: the Future of TCM While the mechanisms behind TCM treatments are being thoroughly researched in China, there is also innovative TCM research happening concurrently in the U.S. For example, Dr. Weidong Lu, an acupuncture expert at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, specializes in the pain management of cancer patients. The concept of using acupuncture specifically for oncological symptoms is relatively new, but a great interest in oncology acupuncture has generated more resources for both government and privately funded clinical trials.

Now that TCM is being supported by scientific principles thanks to people like Dr. Lu, the practice of TCM is gaining more traction throughout the country. Top institutions have followed the lead of the first integrative medicine centers, including the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living, and have opened their own integrative medicine centers. The Integrative Medicine Center at UF Shands Hospital has been providing holistic care for almost ten years now as well, and there is much more room for the field to grow. With the current trajectory of TCM’s expansion into western society, an Integrative Medicine Hospital in America could be more than just a figment of imagination.

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written by Annie Wang

The World of Asian Comics and Graphic Novels he line is long and seemingly professor of modern Japanese differ in many ways. For one, T endless, winding around like literature at the University of manhwa is printed in black and a coiled rattlesnake. The people Florida, said. “It started off white but digitally published

The three major categories of Asian comics are manga, manhwa and manhua. Manga originated in Japan and is split into demographic categories with some popular ones being “shōnen” (manga for boys), “shōjo” (manga for girls), “seinen” (manga for men) and “josei” (manga for women).

“Manga started its origins in the 40s,” Christopher Smith, a

Although manga was initially inspired by the works of American artists, it has developed stylistically into its own unique genre. It is usually black and white both digitally and in print, with exceptions being made for special editions. Manga’s art style is very distinctive as well, with the characters often having big eyes and small mouths to emphasize cuteness. Visuals aside, the reading experience is quite different from Western comics, as it is read from left to right rather than right to left.

The final Asian comic category is manhua, which comes from China but, similar to Korean manhwa, is influenced by Japanese manga.

The first manhuas were born in the late 19th century and were often satirical commentaries on politics. Manhua characters are similar to manhwa in that they are also printed in black and white but digitally in color.

Manhua characters are also more human-like in appearance.

However, where manhua differs from manhwa is that it, like manga, is read from right to left.

However, while these Asian comics may appear to fit nicely into distinct categories, there is a huge debate surrounding these distinctions.

Smith discussed why it is so difficult to define manga and some of the arguments surrounding it.

“There have been lots of attempts to identify stylistics, but the problem is that a lot of those stylistics aren’t really unique,” Smith said. “There’s lots of things that are considered manga that don’t have those stylistics, and there’s also lots of things that are not manga that do have them.”

Over the past 20 years, manga, manhua and manhwa have transcended national borders to become global phenomena.

With their distinctive art styles and elaborate storytelling, Asian comics bring something unique to the table that has never been

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model/ Ayami Cole

Japanese manga also influenced manhwa, which originates from South Korea. The manhwa genre was created in the 1910s under Japanese occupation, but multiple bans were placed on them to stifle cultural invasion.

However, all bans were lifted in the early 1990s, allowing for the manhwa genre to finally take off. While manhwa did take inspiration from manga, the two

in color, unlike manga which is always in black and white.

In addition to this, manhwa characters are typically based in reality and have facial features similar to those of real humans.

The reading experience for manhwas is also different, as it aligns more closely with Western comics in that it is read from left to right.

design by/ Shiyin Hong

Asian comics are a phenomenon that have spread like wildfire from East Asia to countries all over the world. Unique art combined with an intriguing form of storytelling makes for a captivating genre that has amassed a huge fanbase. But what are the categories within Asian comics, and where do they all come from?

heavily influenced by American comics. The so-called god of manga, Tezuka Osamu… his style is very obviously Disney-esque.”

photos by/ Rayvin Velasco

have become impatient, bouncing around with restless energy. But in the center of all the chaos stands a girl, engrossed by the screen of her phone. When looking closer, it is clear that she is reading a comic, one with vibrant imagery and dramatic dialogue splattered across its pages.

done before. Smith elaborates on the widespread influence of Japanese comics specifically: “It’s had a huge impact globally– manga and anime together,” Smith said. “I think that it’s challenged the comics industry worldwide. More and more creators are imitating manga styles … but more than just influencing American comics, what it’s done is influence the global comic reader. [Someone’s] much more likely now to pick up a volume of manga than a volume of Superman, so comics reading has shifted pretty dramatically towards Japanese comics.”

But what specifically is the appeal of Asian comics? For Asian Americans especially, manga, manhwa and manhua tell stories that reflect their personal experiences, adding in a relatability factor that is hard to find in Western media.

“Growing up, I never read Western comics like Marvel and DC,” said Chris Huang, a first-year at the University of Notre Dame. “I was just never drawn

to that kind of art style or plotline.

The thing I like about Asian comics specifically is being able to relate and see the same kind of people, the same kind of settings and the same kind of food. Because Asian American representation isn’t that popular or emphasized out West, Asian comics provide a way for us to connect to our culture.”

There is no doubt that Asian comics have become a force to be reckoned with. This vibrant and ever-changing world of Asian comics has crossed global boundaries, pushed the comics genre towards greater creativity and provided Asian artists with an outlet to share their experiences and ideas.

Perhaps the girl reading the Asian comic in the long line of people was not alone. There is a possibility the man in front of her or the woman behind her were also tuning out the world, engrossed in a reading experience like no other. It would be no surprise — after all, Asian comics are on the rise, and there is no stopping their climb to the top in the foreseeable future.

An Interview with Mia Fang, author of Along the Equator Mia Fang is a first-year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the author of “Along the Equator,” a popular Webtoon that has amassed over 500,000 views. Fang began writing Webtoons in 2019 and, to this day, she continues to put out episodes for her loyal subscribers.

She recounts the beginnings of her Webtoon journey and how she got to where she is today.

as writing a Webtoon is a lot more demanding than most other hobbies.

“What got me into writing Webtoons was just telling a story,” Fang said. “There was a story I really wanted to tell, and Webtoon seemed like the perfect avenue for it. When I first started out, I actually wanted to write a book, but my friend introduced me to Webtoon, and it combined the two things I loved the most: writing and drawing.”

For Fang, writing a Webtoon has allowed her to develop a deeper connection with her cultural heritage, and it has given her the opportunity to meet other Asian American creators who share similar life experiences and interests as her.

Throughout her journey of writing Webtoons, Fang has encountered many challenges that have demanded growth and adaptation.

She has had to adjust to a change in both her schedule and mindset,

“Not comparing yourself to other people as well as just trying to get things done is hard,” Fang said.

“I’m sure a lot of Webtoon creators also have full-time jobs, and so balancing work and something you just like doing as a hobby is important.”

and they’ve been going to college this year as well, so it’s been great to see how this community gives insight into how manga contributes to our culture.”

“It’s been really great being a part of a community where people understand [Asian] culture,” Fang said. “Since Webtoon is a Korean company, a lot of the Webtoon artists I meet are also Asian. I’ve made a lot of online friends, some of which are also my age. A lot of them are also Asian American, FALL 2023 | 13

photos by/ Kat Tran

written by Morgan Hurd

History

In contrast, countries such as Japan, China, Vietnam and Korea have associated tattoos with deviance and gang membership.

Tattoos have also been used as a form of punishment for criminals so that their past is permanently marked and visible.

These negative views have been carried for centuries and continue to be held within the APID community.

Lu has had a fascination with tattoos since she was 6. It was post high school graduation – and post breakup – when she decided it was finally the time to bring her childhood desires to fruition. The desire, however, was accompanied by a fear of her parents’ opinions. After hearing the negative ways her traditionally minded father spoke of tattoos that people close in their life had, Lu was particularly anxious about his reaction.

When it came to a point of conversation about Lu eventually getting a tattoo, her father’s immediate and firm response, paired with a disapproving shake of the head, was “No.” Nguyen’s tattoo tribulations were similar to Lu’s. When Nguyen first brought up the concept of getting a tattoo, her parents forbade her, openly airing their disapproval towards the art form.

Eventually, as she matured into a young adult and acquired several piercings, Nguyen’s parents concluded that it was only a matter of time before she would decide to get a tattoo.

Although they were not supportive of her decision, they were no longer completely barring her from getting one. They had just one request – if Nguyen were to get a tattoo, it had to be in a place where she could easily hide it with clothing. Despite her parents now allowing Nguyen to get tattooed, she still felt guilty when she got it. Nguyen felt as if she was rebelling against her parents, even though it was never her intention in the first place.

“When you are seen with a tattoo, people’s first impression of you is that you are disobedient and won’t be a productive member in society.”

-Tony Truong Truong took a year to commit to a tattoo due to the fear of judgment from his culture and parents. “When you are seen with a tattoo, people’s first impression of you is that you are disobedient and won’t be a productive member in society.” This, along with their disapproval, is what Truong’s parents would tell him when discussing getting a tattoo. After persisting for a year, they gave in, telling him that they trust him to make the right decision for himself. Once receiving somewhat approval from his parents, Truong said that this was “the moment where I truly grew up and [had] an identity for myself.”

Breaking the Hold 14 | FALL 2023

Ultimately, Truong has found significance in the art of tattooing despite the negativity surrounding them. “For me, [tattoos] means I am willing to make the commitment and not regret any

models/ Sheena Lu, Tony Truong & Justine Nguyen

Tattoos, an art form of storytelling, hold rich cultural significance in some Asian cultures and tribes. For the Derung Dai Li and Dulong people of China, as well as the Santhal tribes of Bengal and Jharkhand, tattoos are received between the ages of 12 and 14 as a rite of passage into adulthood. These tattoos are not random, but rather they hold significance in design as well as placement depending on each tribe.

Cultural Hold design by/ Joy Chen

引薦 or seal, painted in red. A tassel, holding a picture, protected by a dragon. An ode to a childhood anime. These tattoos carry great significance for University of Florida students Sheena Lu, Justine Nguyen and Tony Truong. However, like many other APID youth, their tattoos did not come without fear of cultural and parental scorn.

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decision I make. Tattoos serve as a memory for me to be introspective about because they represent a pivotal point in my life.”

Introspection played a major role in determining Truong’s first tattoo. Although their time together ended when Truong was just a child, he says that his grandmother helped shape him into who he is today. While growing up in Vietnam, Truong’s parents worked frequently, so he and his grandmother spent much time together. She taught him what kindness looked like through caring for stray animals on the street of Huế. Her love was never a vocal one, but it was apparent through her actions of preparing sugarcane drinks whenever he would come over.

“For me, tattoos means I am willing to make the commitment and not regret any decision I make. Tattoos serve as a memory for me to be introspective about because they represent a pivotal point in my life.”

-Tony Truong Truong’s first tattoo was done in a traditional art style and is of a tassel which represents prosperity. In remembrance of his late grandmother, inside is an outlined picture of him and his grandmother in Vietnam with the shading resembling an aged photograph. Surrounding the tassel is a detailed Chinese dragon, which Truong chose because of its association with strength and health and the belief that it serves as a protector.

Lu’s choice of first tattoo, a traditional Chinese seal with her mother’s surname, was one which she hoped would ease the disapproval of her parents. “I went with a traditional Chinese seal that artists would use for their signature. I love painting, hence the seal, and instead of my name, I had my mom’s surname put on top of our family surname I did that to honor her name because, traditionally, women’s surnames don’t get passed on to their kids, so it’s going to die with her; she’s the youngest of six girls.”

“I did that to honor her name because, traditionally, women’s surnames don’t get passed on to their kids, so it’s going to die with her; she’s the youngest of six girls.”

-Sheena Lu She didn’t show them at first, hiding it for the first several days. Upon initially showing it to her mom, Lu’s mother expressed a “disappointed but not surprised” expression. However, after Lu explained the meaning behind it, she grew to accept it. Lu’s father was more receptive to the tattoo than she had anticipated, but a large part of that may be due to her mother telling him in the two weeks Lu hid the tattoo from him. After having it for a few years now, her father seems to have accepted it, while Lu’s mother has grown fond of it and even shows it off to her friends.

Nguyen also took Asian art inspiration, but in a less traditional form, pulling from the first anime she ever watched and grew up with – “Sailor Moon.”

“The tattoo is on my chest, which is the same placement as the compact in the show.”

-Justine Nguyen “My first tattoo is of the inside of Chibiusa’s Crisis Compact from Sailor Moon! Sailor Moon was the first anime I ever watched and grew up with, so it holds a special place in my heart. The tattoo is on my chest, which is the same placement as the compact in the show.”

Changing the View There is an evident shift, even from just a decade ago, on the view of tattoos within the APID community. This can be attributed to generational transformation and growing importance of individuality along with exposure to Western culture. The most important part in the art of tattooing is that it gives people an outlet to express their individuality. “Tattoos are part of a person’s identity. They allow for expression that nothing else could express,” Lu said.

“They’re representative of a person’s personality and I think you can learn a lot about a person based on the tattoos they have and where they’re placed.”

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LOOKING BACK

In the past, Asians have been played by nonAsian actors in yellowface or brownface.

The first instance of yellowface in American entertainment was in 1767 during Voltaire’s theatrical performance of “An Orphan of China,” and D.W. Griffith’s “The Chink at Golden Gulch” was the first time yellowface was used in film. Cult classic movies like “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Gandhi” had less-than enjoyable portrayals of Asians as both films had white actors in either yellowface or brownface, respectively. In this field, progress has since been seen in Hollywood as Asian actors are now allowed to assume their roles as Asian characters, rather than non-Asian actors putting on makeup and a 16 | FALL 2023

“People have been more invested in representation, mainly because they’re tired of the same rhetoric being told about certain groups and minorities.”

-Sophia Pan Asians in media, and these stereotypes have translated to real life. The Model Minority Myth, although not created by the media, is enforced in pop culture, and it writes the Asian community as a monolith with certain characteristics of being naturally smart, nice and hardworking. Jade Wu, a first-year student studying food science at UF, said, “Growing up as a Chinese American girl, these stereotypes definitely impacted me, especially in school. It’s disheartening to know that my peers thought my achievements were because I’m Chinese.” Stereotypes enforce standardized assumptions about the APIDA community, when in fact the differences within the community make it more special.

model/ Zeid Abdurahman

Spurred by the discussions of underrepresented groups, the word “good” has been attached to conversations of representation.

When movies like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” broke onto the scene, the success was seen as progress for the community, since past Asian representation in film has been arguably problematic. Pan noted, “I think very much that authenticity boils down to one’s own perception of what the truth is” and that “one person’s truth is not necessarily another person’s truth.”

Although the perfect representation of the Asian community is sought after in creative circles, there is not a clear map of how to get there.

manufactured accent. Whether or not that is enough or “good” representation is still debatable.

Certain stereotypes were created by offensive representations of

design by/ Jackie Truong

t the Academy Awards Ceremony, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” took home seven Oscars, including Best Picture.

This was considered a monumental moment for Asians in the film industry. The main characters portrayed complex people with unique motivations, rather than characterizing them with harmful stereotypes and overexaggerated accents. Sophia Pan, an English Ph.D. student at the University of Florida who focuses her work on Asian American children’s literature and YA comics, said, “People have been more invested in representation, mainly because they’re tired of the same rhetoric being told about certain groups and minorities.” There is great diversity within the APID community, so it is only natural for people to look for diverse stories which reflect their lives.

photos by/ Kat Tran

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written by Leila Wickliffe

A DIFFERENT UNDERSTANDING OF REPRESENTATION There is another form of media where Asian voices are beginning to break through: literature. Amy Tan’s “Joy Luck Club” was often considered the flagship for Asian representation in literature. However, there were complaints about her portrayal of Asian men and that her story did not encompass everyone’s experience, and some even went as far as to say that her narrative supported stereotypes of East Asian women. Everyone has different stories that resonate with them, so the definition

of good representation can vary from person to person given their experiences. “I think the thing about representation is that it only goes so far. That’s the issue with representation: it’s oftentimes treated as this checkbox,” said Chris Fong Chew, a graduate student at Emerson University pursuing a master’s degree in Creative Writing focused in poetry. When representation is simplified to only having an Asian character included, change is not made. Representation is more than being seen; it is about being understood.

Representation can go many ways. There should not be a single story that represents every person under a single identity, and there should not be pressure for creatives to make stories for everyone to feel united under because of the diversity of ethnicity, thought and class within the community. Fong Chew commented on this, suggesting that representation should not be about pursuing “one singular reading or singular concept of an idea.” Rather, people should allow readers to “leave the work with more of a sense of themselves.” Instead of constantly reminding readers the purpose of a story, readers should be allowed to carry the parts they resonated with instead of feeling pressured to understand them in the context of the author’s purpose.

Readers care about representation, and some think it can be taken a step forward in the future. Ethan Kishan, a student at the University of Michigan, gained a significant following on TikTok for posting their thoughts about different books they have read. Instead of just having an Asian character in a story to check the diversity box, they believe APIDA writers should be included in the creative process, and that APIDA stories should be highlighted more often. “There are so many people who have stories to tell, so there needs to be an acknowledgement from the system and an effort from the system to include diverse voices in the creation of projects,” Kishan added.

“I think the thing about representation is that it only goes so far. That’s the issue with representation: it’s oftentimes treated as this checkbox.”

-Chris Fong Chew

Many stories by APIDA authors and creatives include immigrant narratives or a character’s struggles growing up Asian. These topics are important to represent, but these authors should not feel pressured to include these narratives if they do not want to make it the main focus. “I support the idea of Asian Americans writing about writing outside of their own experiences because we’re more than just our identity. We’re also just people at the end of the day,” commented Pan on the phenomenon. Fong Chew had similar sentiments about writing to the Asian American audience. Instead of writing to a certain narrative, his advice that he has heard from his mentors is to “write to your interests, and the world will do with it what it wants. The world will perceive you how it wants.”

MOVING FORWARD Whether on the big screen or on the page, Asian representation has come a long way.

Asian authors are breaking out onto the scene with their work about their lives, characters and stories, and some of these pieces are being adapted for the screen.

Asian representation runs deeper than simply having an Asian character on the screen or on the page. “We need to get beyond ideas of representation, voice and humanization,” Viet Thanh Nguyen, author of “The Sympathizer” and professor at the University of South California said in an interview with Dear Asian Youth. “If we look at our population, whatever that is, we’re like everybody else.”

“Write to your interests, and the world will do with it what it wants. The world will perceive you how it wants.”

-Chris Fong Chew o

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There is no such thing as perfect representation, and representation only serves as part the narrative creatives want to tell. It is the story and the nuance each of these characters carry and the impact they have on the audience. If a reader can walk away with a better understanding of themselves or the world around them – if they feel like a story is authentic and resonates with them – that is what “good” representation is.

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Cultural Awareness in Therapy: Does it Help? written by Zarin Ismail

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Diversity in mental health care also appears to be lacking. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, 4.7% of therapists employed in the United States were reported to be Asian in 2022. This figure has fluctuated over the past 10 years, with it currently being higher than in 2020 but lower than in 2019.

Moreover, a 2021 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services has shown that Asian Americans are less likely than other racial and ethnic groups to utilize mental health services, suggesting that a mental health stigma exists among these populations. This stigma may be attributed to the

“We sacrifice our own self for betterment of family, community, religion.”

Barua’s parents initially disapproved of her majoring in psychology. The World Health Organization recognizes that mental health is a taboo in Bangladesh, their home country, and people with mental health issues are often cast out from society. “[My parents] were like, ‘Oh, you’re going to be the doctor for crazy people,’” she said.

However, after Barua started telling them more about her education and what she learned in her therapy sessions, they began to recognize the value of her work and became more open to having conversations about therapy.

illustrations by/ Samidragonfly, Olha Sauik & Inorton

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However, Barua noticed flaws in the resources available for psychologists and therapists. Past research was primarily developed using white populations, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual used by health care professionals to diagnose mental disorders is not completely culturally sensitive.

lack of cultural awareness and diversity in therapy that drives these groups away from receiving it.

models/ Emmy Larrew

Now a 20-year-old third-year psychology and anthropology student at the University of Florida, Barua is in therapy and hopes to earn a doctoral degree in counseling psychology. She is passionate about doing research and wishes to promote social justice and multicultural mental health with her work.

She explained that multicultural understanding in mental health is important because mental health treatments will not work the same for every person. Without understanding their clients’ backgrounds, therapists would not be able to find adequate resources.

design by/ Madison Edwards

hen Sadia Barua moved from Bangladesh to the United States at the age of 13, she immediately felt the struggles most immigrants experienced — adapting to life in a new country, keeping in touch with her roots and finding a space that accepted people like herself. “That kind of led to a lot of scars that I wanted to unpack in therapy,” Barua said.

photos by/Carolina Tortorelli

Lacking cultural competence in therapy may contribute to the mental health stigma among Asians

Ruchi Malhotra, a licensed therapist who frequently works with Southeast Asian and South Asian individuals, couples and families, explained that some Asians’ reluctance to seek therapy — especially preventative therapy — may be due to their collectivist social structure.

“We sacrifice our own self for betterment of family, community, religion,” Malhotra said.

Her clients often mention relationship problems with their immigrant parents.

These problems occur because such parents are not used to the American lifestyles their children live, leading to pressure and anxiety for both themselves and their kids.

“The most we can do is sometimes just listen.”

However, this emotional distress parents face tends to go untreated.

Malhotra expressed that some Asian parents do not go to therapy and instead look to their children for support. Most times, children should not be used as that support.

“They don’t have expertise to help you with that,” Malhotra said.

On the contrary, Barua likes to act as a therapist for one of her parents. As someone who is

involved in mental health education and is receiving therapy, Barua has established a safe space for them to talk. “I try to use the things I know and be validating … because the most we can do is sometimes just listen,” she said.

Josephine Chu, a licensed psychologist specialized in treating obsessivecompulsive disorder, anxiety and family issues, stated that technology and language barriers may also contribute to the mental health stigma in older generations.

“People will prefer to express themselves — their very vulnerable personal thoughts — in their native language,” Chu said. However, Chu observed that the selection of Asian therapists is limited and continues to reduce as clients narrow their preferences to find a therapist who speaks their native language or shares a similar cultural background. As someone who runs an online practice, Chu has had people reach out on behalf of their older parents to connect them to a therapist.

that’s hindering their therapeutic relationship,” she said.

Malhotra uses her proficiency in Hindi, Gujarati and Punjabi as well as her experience growing up in India to better communicate with her South Asian clients.

However, to avoid bias, she does not directly incorporate her background into her services unless it is relevant. She said therapists should not generalize experiences nor be afraid to ask clients to clarify or explain their experiences when confused.

Cultural differences between themselves and their clients can be difficult to address, but Chu believes that being aware is a basic requirement for therapists.

Therapists are human as well and cannot turn off all of their biases, but they should recognize their biases, seek consultation to work through them and not impose their values on clients.

“If we don’t take that all into account,” Chu said, “it’s a huge missing piece.”

With collectivist beliefs, technology and language barriers impeding on mental health acceptance, therapists have to consider culture to help destigmatize mental health care.

Malhotra said therapists should recognize culture in their services because doing so can help them understand different cultures and break stereotypes, which may improve their relationship with clients.

“Most of my clients leave their therapist because they feel that culture is one of the components FALL 2023 | 19

An exploration of the big nose and its place in the beauty standard written by Zainab Nawaz

inch the nose. Gently pull it from racist measures of social order based on physical bridge to tip. Repeat. Does it look appearance. British colonial anthropologist Herbert P Hope Risley would distinguish Indians using the ratio straighter? Sharper?

HISTORY

University of Florida transnational feminist researcher and PhD candidate I. Edelweiss Murillo Lafuente discussed how globalization impacts standards of beauty. “It is very connected to valuing certain types of lives and bodies more than others, and I think that this construction was mainly done with Western [beauty] for many reasons like colonialism and how certain knowledges were imposed.”

Europe’s colonization of South Asia spread Western culture and ideologies across the subcontinent. Specifically, Great Britain’s colonization of the Indian subcontinent introduced divisive and

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“When it comes to beauty, there is significant overlap between South Asian and American ideals, with Eurocentric features often being held with higher regard for both.”

-I. Edelweiss Murillo Lafuent

Such extreme racial divisions are far less prevalent in the present day, but we still see their effects on modern beauty ideals. Murillo Lafuente expanded on this, stating, “if we think about the modern society, we might also think of TV and mass production of media that comes from the places that have more resources to create.” Widespread access to media from Western first-world countries exerts massive cultural influence on countries in South Asia. Aspirational depictions of Western fashion, lifestyle and ideas permeate South Asian cultures. When it comes to beauty, there is significant overlap between South Asian and American ideals, with Eurocentric features often being held with higher regard for both.

SMALL NOSES ON A BIG SCALE

Many of the most prominent South Asian public figures share similarly Eurocentric features, including small, slim noses. Some are born with tiny noses, but many will often undergo procedures to change their ethnic noses to better match that ideal. Most people see celebrities and social media influencers with their perfect noses and perfect features without knowing what is natural and what has been altered.

Among Bollywood celebrities, there has been very little dialogue about ethnic noses and few admit to having done cosmetic nose surgery. Actresses Shilpa Shetty and Shruti Haasan are two of the most prominent figures to talk about getting nose jobs. In the early 2000s,

model/ Zainab Nawaz

Although the feature itself is more prevalent among people with white European ancestry, the small nose as a symbol of beauty persists in other parts of the world — particularly in those that do not typically have them.

Big or “ethnic” noses, though common among South Asian women, have existed outside of both South Asian and American beauty standards for decades.

of the measured width and height of their noses, classifying them as Aryan, Dravidian or Mongoloid.

Risley’s implementation of his caste system established a new, multidivisional racial hierarchy with leniency shown to those with the greatest similarity to those with Aryan features.

design by/ Divya Somayaji

Despite ever-changing beauty trends, one that has stayed constant throughout the decades is small, button noses. From TikTok trends designed to show off side profiles with ski-slope noses to Instagram filters that shrink the size of your nose, the media’s ideal nose has been small and straight.

photos by/ Anushka Raviprasad

An Ode to the Big Nose

Shetty discussed her decision to get the surgery during an interview with journalist Prabhu Chawla, stating that she did not want to make her nose more beautiful, just that she could make it “better.” While speaking with Hindustan Times in 2020, Haasan mentioned using her broken nose surgery to make her nose “prettier.”

It is easy to judge these actresses for making such permanent changes to their noses when they have such large followings. However, being in the spotlight also means that female celebrities are more heavily scrutinized based on the beauty standards every woman faces. The stories of celebrities like Shetty and Haasan magnify the criticisms and hyperfixations women experience when it comes to beauty.

THE NOSE GOES

In the larger scheme of societal expectations, something as overlooked as the appearance of a nose does not seem like it can have such an impact on a person’s perception of beauty.

Esha Sattar, a third-year undergraduate student at UF, opened up about her perception of her own ethnic nose. “I am perfectly happy with the shape of my nose, it’s just a matter of its size due to weight gain.” Sattar elaborated about how her concern with her nose is tied to her insecurity about her weight, with the size of her nose changing as she gains weight. Though she has no interest in surgically altering the shape of her nose, Sattar still experiences the same desire to improve her features to fit in with expectations of beauty — a challenge particularly difficult when viewed through a multicultural lens.

Sattar expanded on this, speaking about adhering to South Asian and American beauty standards as a Pakistani American woman. “Everyone has a certain standard for every ethnicity, but for me personally, I do not feel like I fit in those standards.” The ideals set by centuries of colonialism and Western cultural influences are deeply entrenched in society and need active intervention to push the boundaries of these limiting standards.

When asked about how we could possibly change the narrative surrounding big noses, Murillo Lafuente said, “it is not just enough to tell girls or women to look at

themselves and tell themselves they are beautiful, but to have these awkward conversations, to have a theoretical understanding of beauty because then it is no longer personal.” Normalizing conversations about beauty and the feelings surrounding them minimizes the impact these standards have on an individual level. To open up a dialogue with all of the fears and insecurities behind the big nose allows girls and women to gain validation and support from those that have felt the same way. This is how people can learn to find beauty in the features and the stories they all share.

The ethnic nose is not a monolith; it highlights the diversity and history of the South Asian diaspora. Long, curved noses tell of historical influence on northern regions by Persians and Middle Easterns. Wider, flatter noses showcase evolutionary adaptations made to withstand the hot and humid climate of the southern part of the subcontinent. The ethnic nose carries the stories of its ancestors and their resilience throughout colonization and migration.

To truly celebrate the ethnic nose and beauty in all of its unique forms, it is essential to unlearn the exclusive beauty standards set by history and embrace the features and conversations that do not necessarily fit in with the mainstream.

“The ethnic nose is not a monolith; it highlights the diversity & history of the South Asian diaspora.”

FALL 2023 | 21

written by Aize Hassan

n a hot August morning, over 100 new and old APIDA Gators gathered on the Reitz Union North Lawn, laughing and tripping during three-legged races, soaking wet from water balloons and — most importantly — bonding.

During the weekend of August 18, UF’s annual Forming our Identities through Networking and Development (FiND) initiative brought together Asian Americans on campus for a three-day event full of activities and educational opportunities.

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Additionally, the program focuses quite a lot on academics and provides resources that help FiNDers learn about their majors and

Aside from introducing college culture, FiND focuses on providing a haven for APIDA identities to thrive and build community. “It’s kinda morphed into something new this year where we really wanted to help people find their homes here, you know?” said Farid. “Their communities, making friends, making little micro-groups and helping people feel comfortable coming on to campus.”

For example, the first day of this year’s FiND focused on creating small groups that consist of FiNDers and peer leaders. A tradition of the program is each group having their own animal mascot; for instance, Hanuman’s group mascot was a needlefish. Then, the groups participated in a few activities such as a poster competition, which was to

models/ Nam Tran & Kiera Vu

For many students, FiND can be their first introduction to college life once they are fully enrolled. Getting around campus can be a daunting task for many first-years who have never quite experienced life as a pedestrian. Former FiNDer Priya Hanuman recounted how FiND has helped with this. “I remember we did a scavenger hunt my year, and they had little clues about different areas on campus. It really helped me learn how to get around campus and its shortcuts initially.” Gaining that initial familiarity with landmarks on campus can make navigating class significantly less intimidating.

The supplementary student college panel also worked as a good resource for the incoming students, as career advice was given from people who have insider information. “You’ll not only get those professional connections that you need to kind of get started with your career, you’re getting advice from students who just went through it,” said Sasha Farid, the Peer Leader Engagement Coordinator for FiND. “They have the advice that you wouldn’t find online through Reddit, or Facebook, or your mom’s friend or whoever.”

design by/ Skylar Rosario

FiND is an event that focuses on helping first-years get acquainted with college life through three objectives: academic success, interpersonal goals and identity development. Through the immersive experience, Asian first-years, or FiNDers, are able to receive the necessary skills to achieve a successful academic year and experience at UF through connecting with their Pan-Asian identity.

plan their schedules. The second day of this year’s FiND centered around academic and professional panels, where students learned about educational opportunities on campus. Through the professional panel, participants could meet professors and learn about classes. FiNDers were also grouped off in terms of their majors to learn more from peer leaders and industry professionals. For instance, Dr. Schuller, the professor for the Asian American minor, presented at a panel. She was able to educate students on the Asian community in Gainesville and what they can do to protect diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

photos by/ Leanne Lucas

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represent their animal, or simply playing Just Dance. “We barely knew each other, but it felt like a unified community at that moment. Everyone was hyping each other up and it was just so heartwarming,” said Hanuman.

example, I added the Guyana and Trinidad flag colors,” said Hanuman. This helped students not only bond over shared experiences, but also discover what was different and meaningful to one another.

Additionally, day two hosted a big field day on the Reitz North Lawn. Peer leaders had to create groups and come up with games that would bring students together and help them bond within their shared cultural identities. “My group wanted to do something straightforward and familiar, so we decided on capture-the-flag and my FiNDers had a lot of fun running across the Reitz lawn,” said second-year peer leader Aliya Khan.

While the FiND program acknowledges that the APIDA title is an umbrella term for a vast number of ethnically and culturally diverse identities, it also focuses on creating student unity in Gainesville through a multitude of activities. “On the first day, we did this yarn activity… We were given a ball of yarn and had to find things in common that we all had. In the end, we made this huge, tangled web,” said Hanuman. “It just served to show that despite our different ethnic backgrounds, we can all unite when it comes to certain things.”

To end it all, everyone participated in a small group activity where students would make bracelets with beads that represented factors of their identities to get to know other more. “You could add the colors of your homeland’s flag and share your cultural identities with other people. For

Of all of UF’s undergraduate students, 9.72% are of APID identity. While this percentage may seem small, it is quite large compared to other public universities in Florida. In a large institution like UF, it is crucial for this percentage to be able to come together and support each other. Thus, FiND works as a stepping stone, helping incoming students understand that there is a community for them on campus.

For peer leaders, it can be a big deal leading other students that they see themselves in. “It felt really impactful to lead other Asian students as one myself… we can unload our academic wisdom onto freshmen that are in the shoes we were once in. It all felt so beneficial just being able to relate on a cultural level too,” added Khan.

Even though FiND takes place over a weekend, it is also a lifelong mentorship that continues to hold socials throughout the year to maintain a strong community on campus. “Just through all these amazing events we’ve been having this year and the past four years I’ve been here,” said Farid, “we’re starting to really show that, hey, we’re here and we’re proud, and there’s so many of us that we are kind of becoming a force on campus to be reckoned with.”

FALL 2023 | 23

photos by/ Leyun Wang

written by Sienna Chien

design by/ Joshua Barcenas model/ Guilin Ding

How does one fit their entire life into just two suitcases?

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or many, this question is irrelevant. However, for students that are leaving their homes and weighing their suitcases again and again to meet the 23-kg limit, this question is just one of many that they face as they transition from being home bound to worldwide. Common obstacles include language barriers, adapting to a new culture, academic challenges, financial issues, homesickness and securing employment after graduation.

Despite these obstacles, Asian international students of the F-1 visa status still apply to higher educational institutes in the United States, including the University of Florida. According to a 24 | FALL 2023

2020 survey by the Institute of International Education, however, there has been a trend of decline in international students from China, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and many other Asian countries.

Which brings up the question: What are the arguments for and against choosing to study abroad in the U.S.?

Home Sweet Home Lower local tuition costs and changing perceptions to having a foreign degree are among the leading incentives in the appeal to attend universities at home. On average, the annual cost of tuition in the U.S. ranges from $27,020 for public universities for outof-state students and $37,650 for private universities according to College Board’s Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid

report. In comparison, most public and private universities in Asia, average under $15,000, becoming a significant incentive for students to stay in their home countries.

According to Samnang Puthirith, a Cambodian freshman at UF, financial support loomed as a significant concern during his application to U.S. universities, prompting him to consider staying in Cambodia. Fortunately, his concerns were relieved when he secured a scholarship. However, there are instances where the scholarship system does not meet the student’s needs. In the 2022 U.S. college application cycle, Anahita, an Iranian applicant, encountered challenges in reaching a costeffective arrangement with her early decision university. This led her to shift her focus toward the regular decision process, a transition she described as a source of considerable stress.

Ultimately, she prioritized the financial aspect of her choices and selected an option that provided her with a full ride, underscoring the pivotal role of tuition costs and financial support in shaping applicants’ decisions to study abroad in the U.S. Another reason that fuels this decision is the rising level of education in Asia. According to the Korean Program director at the Stanford University’s Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center Gi-Wook Shin, trends show that the flow of degreeseeking students is increasing between Asian countries compared to the past.

Changing perceptions of the advantages of a foreign degree in the job market is also another factor prompting Asian students to remain in their home countries, as domestic recruiters in Korea say that this advantage no longer exists.

As a former consultant anonymously interviewed by Korea JoongAng Daily stated:

“As recently as the 2000s, candidates with a foreign degree used to get a second look during the hiring process, but many of the advantages they used to have, like their English or other foreign language abilities, are now also exhibited by graduates of domestic universities.”

Visa Dilemmas While there are many obstacles that international Asian students might face in the U.S., obtaining a visa is often the most challenging one that accompanies students from the beginning to the end of their program. International students frequently hold the F-1 visa, otherwise known as the student visa. Prior to coming to the U.S., students must go through stages of document processing and an interview to ensure they obtain their visa.

The F-1 visa is a crucial document for international students pursuing education in the United States, and working to maintain it comes with a set of requirements. While it does allow for some off-campus work, it comes with a web of restrictions designed to keep students focused on their studies and maintain their student status. F-1 students can engage in internships in their degree if they apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during their degree program or seek other job opportunities post-graduation by applying to Optional Practical Training

(OPT). However, they must meet specific criteria and gain prior approval. These rules set F-1 students apart from U.S. citizens and permanent residents, making job hunting more challenging.

To work through CPT or OPT, pre-approval is essential. If they aspire to work beyond these programs, they need a sponsor, which adds another layer of complexity to their job search.

Advice for the Worldwide Martine J. Angrand, director of F-1 students from the UF International Center, advises international students to make the most of their time in the U.S. Besides their academic pursuits, students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in local culture, traditions, and attractions, enriching their international experience. They can engage in U.S. holiday events hosted by the school or student organizations, explore new cuisines, embrace travel, and actively participate in cultural events.

This not only enhances their educational experience but also helps them adjust to the new environment. Maintaining connections with loved ones back home is encouraged, as it provides emotional support and eases the transition process.

Seeking camaraderie among fellow international students, who share similar experiences and challenges, can be particularly beneficial during their time in the U.S. Angrand also highlights the importance of building professional networks. International students can achieve this by actively participating in career fairs, joining student organizations, and pursuing internships or research opportunities in their field of study. Ensuring that they have the necessary authorization for CPT or OPT is essential for these professional endeavors.

In addition, Reagan Garner, the scholarship coordinator for international students at UF, advises them to find a balance between cultural clubs and recreational activities, to broaden their horizons. UF’s English Language Institute (ELI) is also available for those who need academic English support. UF offers an abundance of resources for international students to explore and utilize. Furthermore, students can set up meetings with their assigned counselor for personalized guidance and support throughout their academic journey.

In conclusion, the journey from being homebound to worldwide as an international student is undoubtedly filled with numerous challenges and considerations. The declining trend in Asian students studying abroad in the United States can be attributed to various factors, including lower tuition costs and the increasing educational standards in their home countries.Furthermore, the changing perceptions of the value of a foreign degree in the job market and the complexities of visa requirements have contributed to this shift. However, it is essential to remember that while these challenges are real, there are valuable resources and advice available to help international students thrive during their time in the U.S. It is important to remember, as students far away from home, the journey is unique to each individual. With determination, a support network, and the right guidance, one can overcome the obstacles and make the most of your international experience.

While fitting 18 years into two suitcases may seem challenging, the experiences, knowledge and memories that will be gained are immeasurable.

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