Finding Asia event brings culture to USU
USU’s Asian Student Association hosted its second annual Finding Asia event on Nov. 9 in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom. The event was open to students, alumni and community members and was designed to expose them to Asian culture.
This year’s theme was “A Night in the Orient,” complete with dinner, musical and dance performances and informative presentations. Many students were involved along with ASA, including performers from the Japan club and Taiwanese club, and supporters from other Access and Diversity clubs.
The night has been planned since last year’s event ended, according to Megan Anderson, acting president of ASA.
“I just hope everybody gains a better appreciation for Asian culture,” she said.
The evening began with dinner. USU dining services catered the event, providing Asian themed dishes like rice and potstickers.
The night featured several performances, covering a wide range of Asian countries and cultures, emceed by ASA secretary Amber Lam and ASA public relations officer Weston Lay.
Musical numbers were performed in native languages, including Chinese, Korean and Japanese. Dancers were involved, including a young girl from Little Blue on campus. She danced “Flower Jump Dance” with a traditional Chinese dance passed through her family for generations. Emi Tano, a Japanese student who served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Thailand, discussed the differences between Thailand and Taiwan.
Last year four Korean exchange students joined ASA at USU. Daxi Zhang, senior in aerospace engineering, became close to the girls and had a special idea for Finding Asia.
Zhang said he was listening to a piano song on his iPod and he kept thinking of his friend in Korea. Over about a month, he corresponded with the girls and compiled a video for their memory. They told everybody they missed them, and toward the end, he sang live while his friend sang along through the video.
“ASA is one of the best clubs at Utah State, and we’re connected as family,” Zhang said. “Even if someone has to leave us to live somewhere else, we will always remember you because we are all still family.”
“I loved it. I learned a lot; it was very cultural,” said Starr Fowler, a junior in aerospace engineering. “They have really amazing talent. I can’t believe how much time and effort they put into it.”
Last year, Finding Asia’s “Tiptoe into Asia” was planned for 150 people, but they sold out of tickets at the door and had to turn people away, Anderson said. This year, ASA was prepared for 200 people.
Anderson said there were only eight students when she first joined ASA, but last year they exploded with members. She believes, in part, it was due to a new Access and Diversity adviser, Mario Pereyra.
Pereyra took a new job at BYU and left USU last week, Anderson said. However, he returned to show his support for Finding Asia and expressed his sentiments for the students. ASA recognized and thanked Pereyra at the end of the evening, giving him roses and hugs.
ASA president Merin Cook, was unable to attend due to a family emergency. She literally found Asia, sending a video from Hong Kong, the emcees joked.
For Anderson, the hardest part was the limited preparation time once the semester actually started. ASA gained many new members, and the club made efforts to create a strong bond between members and get them involved. They also had to get the performers ready.
“Join ASA, it’s awesome,” Zhang said. “You don’t have to be Asian. If you want to learn about Asian culture, join us. We will be family.”