Boeing 737 For most, an airplane is simply a metal tube filled with seats and worrisome memories about tight flight connections and tasteless plane food. But for me, an aircraft is an empty metal tube filled with the tranquility of a bonsai garden, yet with the inconsistency of a heartbeat: each ride is different, triggering separate emotions and reactions. I was the seven year old that American Airlines had to make an exception for; unaccompanied minor was my second title. Frequent...

Growing up, my mom always told me to follow my dreams. Then I started high school, and the famous phrase going around was, to find your passion. You must find a passion in order to choose class subjects, extracurricular activities, and to get into a good school. But this push to find a passion began to bug me as I could not understand how it was possible to find a real passion while under such superficial pressure. This “soul searching”...

娜娜 was the nickname my host sister gave me during the National Security Language Initiative for Youth Summer program in Chengdu. I soon became responsive to 娜娜 as it became a part of my life, my second name. I never thought I would have my own wēibó, and yōukù account. However, I also never thought I would be able to learn Chinese. Ever since my trip to China in 2007, I realized the value of speaking Mandarin. I was a blond,...

In the past few years, I have been exposed to various cultures and seen the reality behind their stereotypes. Unfortunately, many American teenagers do not know much about any culture and the differences between realities and stereotypes. The issue of educating America’s youth on world cultures and traditions is vital for the success of both nations and the world especially in such a globalized and interconnected society where stereotypes play such influential and potentially damaging roles. Once a stereotype...

Emory has easy access to Atlanta’s Chinatown where I could learn so much about the culture from native Chinese people while bringing in my bicultural world view. It is great to have this cultural gateway to the delicious Jiaozi (dumplings), and beautiful Calligraphy. Furthermore, I could pursue my passion for Chinese with the East Asian Studies program. Having spent a great amount of time devoted to Chinese language and culture through summer programs, host family experiences abroad, and local...

Imagine you are a professor, charged with teaching a new course. Emory University offers over 1,000 courses in a wide range of academic subjects. You are free to choose whatever subject you want. What class would you create? What would you hope students would leave your class having learned? (Don’t forget to include your class title!) College Freshman have reached a point in their lives where they have formulated their own biases toward other people and sometimes feel like they...

preppy, competitive,...