Ever since middle school, all literature or writing classes have affected me significantly. And coincidentally, all materials I have studied in these classes have related to my personal life at the time. In 10th grade, my father was falsely accused and imprisoned for a year, and while I was going through such a traumatic experience in my life, 2 different teachers uncannily assigned 3 books about prison life throughout the whole year. These books changed my life and helped me through my distressing experience, and they truly did have an edifying effect on me. And so did the materials we have read in ASTU.

After living in a safety bubble inside my nest throughout my whole life, I was strikingly revealed to the cruelties of society all at once and all alone. I am sure a good portion of first year students can agree with me. I underestimated the challenge and burden change carries. However, ASTU, ironically the only class I did not choose to take, has surprisingly helped me to go through such an unexpected, and drastic change.

First of all, I have developed an understanding, analytical and a compassionate mentality. (Please ignore the cheesiness.) I understand people’s point of view, where they are coming from, and their intentions and reasons behind their actions or what they say clearer now. And I have realized that all social tensions and problems arise from lack of understanding each other’s unique backgrounds, or misunderstanding each other. If we just take the time to get to know each other truly, not familiar with just the social disguises everybody has, but when we truly get to know each other and start to understand each other’s mentality and emotions- all you feel is compassion and empathy. There is no room for resentment, hate or jealousy.  I have also realized that most social issues in our generation are solely based on jealousy and the comparative mentality. People hurt each other because they don’t love themselves, and they project their insecurities onto other people.

If you truly yourself, you could never hurt another. ~ Buddha

Secondly, Obasan changed my life. I can really relate and understand Kogawa in so many unexplainable ways. To state the obvious, I am an Asian living in a Western country, and I can relate to having been excluded, or being seen as different, or less important. However in our multicultural community, discrimination or exclusion is barely seen as an issue. The most important lesson I learnt from Obasan is the power of silence. It is the central theme of my life now. Many people I care about, including myself, can relate to the dangers of silence. How Kogawa so beautifully portrays such an immense theme will inspire me for years. She inspired me to look into my own past to confront memories and a trauma that has shadowed over my whole life. Though I knew about this traumatic experience I had as a child, I never knew how exactly  it affected me, I did not think it had any influence over who I am today. She held my hand and walked me through my past and showed me exactly how all the factors of my life adds up to be me; the negative and positive characteristics I have. Who I am today is everything that has ever happened in my life compiled together. I know it sounds like an obvious thing to say, but life just hit me, and I am only now starting to truly understand all the things I thought I knew or I have been told my whole life.  I just can’t fully stress how much influence, however insignificant it may seem, an event in a persons life has over that person.

Third, I just want to mention how well constructed, and effective the law and society program is. The classes are strongly correlated, and all of them provide different specialized points of view about historical events or major themes. Overall, all the classes join to tie a knot. I must say I am glad I took this program and it has provided me, and further will, with preparation for the coming challenging years of college. This program has inspired me to be the change I want to see in the world.

~ Never felt so grateful, hopeful and clear minded