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Submission information
Submission Number: 386
Submission ID: 1325
Submission UUID: 23b4ed67-59fa-4f72-b78d-be0ea815a1c4
Created: Fri, 03/22/2024 - 22:25
Completed: Fri, 03/22/2024 - 22:25
Changed: Tue, 05/06/2025 - 08:56
Remote IP address: 2601:283:5081:4e10:20b4:5fc6:6c72:af5f
Submitted by:Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Flagged: Yes
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Mischa
Vuong
She/her
Highlands Ranch
CO
United States
80126
Biomedical
English(5), Vietnamese(4)
I have family that lives in California, so every summer or fall and spring break my family visits them. We first visit my grandma who lives in Orange County, in an area that is predominantly Asian. Everywhere we go, it seems like everyone knows my grandma, they’ll ask her how she’s been, if me and my brothers are her grandchildren, and just friendly chats no matter where we go. Maybe it’s because she’s lived there for so long or everyone there is just that friendly, but I know in Colorado, where I live, something like that would never happen. Each time I notice this I think of how I want this tight-knit feeling of community that was especially lacking when I grew up. Now, after years of not knowing why this didn’t happen with everyone, I realize this familiarity stems from their similar cultures and upbringing. Making this connection has given me the perspective on how important it is to have people who share your culture, not only because it gives me a place that makes me feel at home despite how far away I may be, but also because it helps me connect with people on a deeper level in which I wouldn’t be able to otherwise.
After staying at my grandma’s house for a couple of days, me and my siblings leave our parents with her so they can spend time together and our cousins take us to our aunt and uncle’s. They live close to the Los Angeles area, which starkly contrasts the small, cozy, Orange County area my grandma lives in. Even though the community of the fast city life can never compare to the close feeling in Orange County, there’s a different but familiar feeling when I spend time with my cousins. I especially remember this time we went to a night market area, and not only was everyone there diverse, but even the foods: squid, takoyaki, taiyaki, tteokbokki and so much more. There are so many foods that I’ve never had the chance to try in my area, and despite the distance, I still felt at home. Taking part in other cultures apart from my own has always been exciting for me from tasting new foods and celebrating different traditions.
After years of traveling to visit family in California and experiencing firsthand the sense of community formed by shared culture, I've come to realize the impact of culture in creating a sense of belonging and community. Whether in the small, cozy neighborhoods of Orange County or the bustling city life of Los Angeles, the bonds made through cultural connections are always present. No matter where you are, culture creates community. This realization has shaped my perspective and reinforced my belief in the importance of cultural immersion and understanding, both in my personal life and as I prepare to embark on the Global Engineering RAP. I'm eager to bring this understanding of the power of culture to the diverse and collaborative environment, that’s being offered, where I can continue to learn from and contribute to a community of engineers.
After staying at my grandma’s house for a couple of days, me and my siblings leave our parents with her so they can spend time together and our cousins take us to our aunt and uncle’s. They live close to the Los Angeles area, which starkly contrasts the small, cozy, Orange County area my grandma lives in. Even though the community of the fast city life can never compare to the close feeling in Orange County, there’s a different but familiar feeling when I spend time with my cousins. I especially remember this time we went to a night market area, and not only was everyone there diverse, but even the foods: squid, takoyaki, taiyaki, tteokbokki and so much more. There are so many foods that I’ve never had the chance to try in my area, and despite the distance, I still felt at home. Taking part in other cultures apart from my own has always been exciting for me from tasting new foods and celebrating different traditions.
After years of traveling to visit family in California and experiencing firsthand the sense of community formed by shared culture, I've come to realize the impact of culture in creating a sense of belonging and community. Whether in the small, cozy neighborhoods of Orange County or the bustling city life of Los Angeles, the bonds made through cultural connections are always present. No matter where you are, culture creates community. This realization has shaped my perspective and reinforced my belief in the importance of cultural immersion and understanding, both in my personal life and as I prepare to embark on the Global Engineering RAP. I'm eager to bring this understanding of the power of culture to the diverse and collaborative environment, that’s being offered, where I can continue to learn from and contribute to a community of engineers.
The person I would like to live down the hall from me in the Global Engineering RAP is someone who’s open to new things: cultures, ideas, perspectives, etc. I would say I had a good childhood, my parents did their best to give me the best life they could provide me, but I often felt out of sync with my friends because our families celebrated different traditions. I know that someone open-minded will not only make me feel heard but also expand their own horizons by pursuing learning in an unbiased manner that won't limit them. People like this create a welcoming environment for everyone involved and is someone I'd love to live near. Going into a new place is already hard enough and having someone create that welcoming atmosphere will help not just me, but everyone else adapt more easily and feel more comfortable.
Another thing is that when someone’s open-minded and always willing to learn more, it makes the people around them want to also learn more. Being able to bounce off one another’s energy like that is what I’m looking for through becoming a member of the Global Engineering RAP. Sharing and listening to what everyone else has to offer can lead to the personal and academic growth of everyone. Additionally, just being around people who want to learn and have similar goals helps create a connection and make people "click."
Another part of being open-minded connects to being open to people’s feelings and emotions not just their ideas and opinions. Having empathy and an understanding of cultural sensitivity leads to a supportive community to live with. Growing up feeling culturally isolated, the main takeaway I’ve learned is that you don't have to understand everyone’s culture, but it’s important to not make anyone feel like an outsider when they don't have the same traditions as you. I’ll always remember how people would judge me for not celebrating Christmas or Halloween and I’ve grown to realize all that time I only wanted someone who’d take the time to ask me about what I did celebrate, instead of ridiculing me for what I didn’t.
In joining the Global Engineering RAP, my main goal is to find a tight-knit group of people to help me learn and achieve big things with. By creating an atmosphere of openness, empathy, and collaboration, I hope to play my part in building a community where everyone feels valued, supported, and ready to succeed together.
Another thing is that when someone’s open-minded and always willing to learn more, it makes the people around them want to also learn more. Being able to bounce off one another’s energy like that is what I’m looking for through becoming a member of the Global Engineering RAP. Sharing and listening to what everyone else has to offer can lead to the personal and academic growth of everyone. Additionally, just being around people who want to learn and have similar goals helps create a connection and make people "click."
Another part of being open-minded connects to being open to people’s feelings and emotions not just their ideas and opinions. Having empathy and an understanding of cultural sensitivity leads to a supportive community to live with. Growing up feeling culturally isolated, the main takeaway I’ve learned is that you don't have to understand everyone’s culture, but it’s important to not make anyone feel like an outsider when they don't have the same traditions as you. I’ll always remember how people would judge me for not celebrating Christmas or Halloween and I’ve grown to realize all that time I only wanted someone who’d take the time to ask me about what I did celebrate, instead of ridiculing me for what I didn’t.
In joining the Global Engineering RAP, my main goal is to find a tight-knit group of people to help me learn and achieve big things with. By creating an atmosphere of openness, empathy, and collaboration, I hope to play my part in building a community where everyone feels valued, supported, and ready to succeed together.
I want to be a member of the Global Engineering RAP at CU Boulder because it will benefit me as an engineer as well as the social aspect of college. I’m hoping to not only quickly grow my social circle upon entering college but also be surrounded by people who share the same interests as me.
Becoming a member will help not only with my engineering goals of creating a project to benefit my uncle, who’s been debilitated due to a tumor, and others facing similar challenges; but also with my broader aspiration to surround myself with a diverse community from various cultural backgrounds. Growing up in a suburban area where cultural diversity was limited, I often felt isolated due to my Asian background amidst a predominantly white community. The lack of shared traditions also made it challenging to connect with others on a deeper level. This sense of isolation persisted until high school when I encountered a more diverse environment, albeit one that still lacked the cultural representation I sought. Witnessing the impact of shared cultural experiences firsthand, particularly during visits to California to see my cousins, emphasized the importance of finding a community that celebrates one's heritage. Visiting California, with its substantial Asian population, highlighted the importance of cultural identity and community for me, especially compared to the sense of detachment I felt growing up in a predominantly white suburban area.
I know becoming a member of the Global Engineering RAP at CU Boulder allows me to immerse myself in a supportive community of like-minded peers, that will support both personal growth and collaborative innovation. I’m hoping that through engaging with others who share similar backgrounds and aspirations, I can advance my studies in engineering while also having a community that can support me.
In terms of what I can offer to my peers, I draw from lessons learned through my experiences in student leadership and community involvement. Serving on the Student Senate for all four years of high school has taught me the value of inclusivity and empowerment. Whether it's pushing individuals out of their comfort zones to facilitate growth or creating a welcoming environment that fosters confidence and participation, I aspire to play an active role in building a supportive and inclusive community within the Global Engineering RAP. I’m eager for the chance to interact with experts beyond the Boulder community, take part in mentorship opportunities, and learn more about Global engineering & Resilience research. Additionally, my cultural background has instilled a deep appreciation for diversity and the importance of celebrating different perspectives. I want to be a part of an environment where everyone can feel included; a place where cultural exchange is encouraged as a means of enriching the collective learning experience. By actively participating in the Global Engineering RAP community, I hope to not only contribute to the success of my peers but also to further develop my skills and knowledge as an engineer.
Becoming a member will help not only with my engineering goals of creating a project to benefit my uncle, who’s been debilitated due to a tumor, and others facing similar challenges; but also with my broader aspiration to surround myself with a diverse community from various cultural backgrounds. Growing up in a suburban area where cultural diversity was limited, I often felt isolated due to my Asian background amidst a predominantly white community. The lack of shared traditions also made it challenging to connect with others on a deeper level. This sense of isolation persisted until high school when I encountered a more diverse environment, albeit one that still lacked the cultural representation I sought. Witnessing the impact of shared cultural experiences firsthand, particularly during visits to California to see my cousins, emphasized the importance of finding a community that celebrates one's heritage. Visiting California, with its substantial Asian population, highlighted the importance of cultural identity and community for me, especially compared to the sense of detachment I felt growing up in a predominantly white suburban area.
I know becoming a member of the Global Engineering RAP at CU Boulder allows me to immerse myself in a supportive community of like-minded peers, that will support both personal growth and collaborative innovation. I’m hoping that through engaging with others who share similar backgrounds and aspirations, I can advance my studies in engineering while also having a community that can support me.
In terms of what I can offer to my peers, I draw from lessons learned through my experiences in student leadership and community involvement. Serving on the Student Senate for all four years of high school has taught me the value of inclusivity and empowerment. Whether it's pushing individuals out of their comfort zones to facilitate growth or creating a welcoming environment that fosters confidence and participation, I aspire to play an active role in building a supportive and inclusive community within the Global Engineering RAP. I’m eager for the chance to interact with experts beyond the Boulder community, take part in mentorship opportunities, and learn more about Global engineering & Resilience research. Additionally, my cultural background has instilled a deep appreciation for diversity and the importance of celebrating different perspectives. I want to be a part of an environment where everyone can feel included; a place where cultural exchange is encouraged as a means of enriching the collective learning experience. By actively participating in the Global Engineering RAP community, I hope to not only contribute to the success of my peers but also to further develop my skills and knowledge as an engineer.
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