Finding a place of belonging on campus can be scary for students, but to challenge the struggle, the Asian American and Pacific Islander Association hosted a welcome mixer and Lunar New Year celebration for students on Feb. 11.
At the event, the building was packed with staff and student members of the association, as well as other students interested to learn about Lunar New Year traditions while making new connections.
Students were seen playing games for prizes, trying traditional food and making paper lanterns to celebrate.
Elvis To, a Vietnamese American film major, had difficulty finding a place of belonging at San Diego City College due to stereotypes and underrepresentation. That was until he discovered the Asian & Pacific Islander Student Alliance.
“It feels like I’m wanted there. It feels like they want to bring you here, no matter what race you are, really, it helps people connect with each other,” To said. “We were able to help build that we connect, we share our culture, and we help continue to build that community together.”
To expressed the importance of these events as they brought awareness to Asian cultures, “Not only are we Asians, but we are also Asian American.” said To.
The sense of community was felt throughout the event, with booths lined up to help educate and provide spaces to anyone who passed by.
With the AAPI making up a small percentage of City College, Joshua Lindo, AANAPI Student Success Coordinator, hopes events like this will show that the historically underrepresented group has a place of community here.
“You have people here that have some of the same values as you, people that also do look like you, who reflect who you are, people who you can go to to ask for advice,” Lindo said. “A lot all that is really intertwined in being visible.”
On top of uplifting people who identify with AAPI, Lindo wants to reach out to people beyond their community and welcome anyone who attends.
“Our main goal is to connect people, to build community, amongst other goals,” Lindo said. “(We) do not focus just on one particular group.”
To find more Lunar New Year events in San Diego, click here.
This story was edited by Tresean Osgood and Itzel Martinez
