Gladdey Donsanouphit interview
Item
Title
Gladdey Donsanouphit interview
Creator
Donsanouphit, Gladdey
Banh, Jenny
Relation
Central Valley Southeast Asian Successful Voices
Coverage
Fresno, California
Date
2017
Rights
Copyright has been transferred to Fresno State
Identifier
SCMS_casv_00003
extracted text
>> Your time is important. So . . .
>> Can I take this?
>> Oh, yes. [inaudible]. So, it's called Gladdey. Gladdey?
>> Yes. Gladdey.
>> Okay. Let me . . . Hello, Ms. Gladdey. Thank you so much for volunteering to be interviewed for this Southeast
Voices of the Successful. Please give me verbal permission to interview, as well as, can you tell us the date. And can
you spell your name.
>> Okay. I'm Gladdey, G-l-a-d-d-e-y, Donsanouphit, D-o-n-s-a-n-o-u-p-h-i-t. And I do give you permission to interview
me today on, what is it? June . . .
>> Voices of the Successful.
>> Yes. For Voices of the Successful on June 28, 2017.
>> All right. Great. Okay. Let's see. What is the gender that you identify as?
>> Female.
>> What is your birth year?
>> 1990.
>> What is your ethnic group?
>> Laotian American.
>> Undergraduate major?
>> Philosophy and minor in Asian work in studies.
>> You said you went to UC Santa Barbara?
>> Yes. I went to UC Santa Barbara.
>> What generation are you?
>> I want to say the second generation.
>> Okay. What is your mother and father's highest education level?
>> Let me see, my Mother, she did some high school. And my Dad he has his AA.
>> Oh. Okay. What is your family composition? I mean, how many siblings, or brothers do you have?
>> Oh, okay. I have an older sister and a younger brother.
>> Okay. What is your GPA?
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>> Like for undergrad or for . . . [Laughs].
>> Undergrad. Yes. Or whatever you want. We can skip that if you don't remember. Many times, it was a long time ago.
>> I believe it was like a 2.8.
>> Okay. What is your degree of aspiration? Your ultimate degree of aspiration?
>> Okay. To get my juris doctor and that's what I'm currently working towards, right now.
>> In terms of social economic background did you have a working class, middle class or fluent background? Your
family?
>> Can you elaborate on?
>> Working class, whatever . . . It's actually self-defining. Did you think of yourself as working-class family? Or did
you think of yourself as middle-class family? Or did you think of yourself as a rich family?
>> Working class. Definitely.
>> Okay. What type of high school was it? A public or private high school?
>> It was a public high school.
>> And what's the name of your high school and what's the ethnic demographics of your high school?
>> Okay. It's Central High School. There is a West Campus and East Campus. I attended both.
>> Oh, wow. Okay.
>> Because it was originally one school. And they made a new campus. And so, everyone was going to the new
campus. And so, they made all the freshman go to the old campus and then they could transfer over to where they
wanted to. Because it was just very far out of the way. So, I ended up going to both. And demographically, I want to
say, I'm not sure. It was pretty diverse. I think there was a good amount of each type of ethnic group there.
>> What predominantly Hispanic?
>> I would say so.
>> Over 50 percent or less?
>> I want to say over 50 percent.
>> Okay. Great. Why do you Lao-Americans go to college? Why do they do or why do they not go to college.
>> Just anyone in general going to college?
>> No. Yes. Why does the group go to college? Or why do they not go to college? Why and why not?
>> So, going to college, I think there are probably several reasons. Maybe, you know, maybe getting a better job. Better
pay. Maybe it's required by the family. Not sure. Maybe they just want to leave the house. But some people who don't
go to college. Maybe they aren't sure what they want to do. And so, they don't want to take that commitment, move to
college. Maybe they just want to work. Because maybe they feel like working is going to get them where they want to
be.
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>> Excellent. Do Lao-American students have strong relationships with administrators and faculty? Why or why not?
>> I can't speak for everyone. But for myself.
>> For yourself.
>> Yes. Like, I feel like I don't really have a strong relationship with faculty or administration just because, I'm not sure.
Like, I'm not sure because I'm more on the shy side or introvert. And so, I don't, I don't know, maybe go and seek help
like I should. I think I kind of learned that through experience. I kind of sometimes you need to go and like and ask for
help. And meet with your professors or you know talk to someone about either your financial situation or whatever that
you need to do.
>> What was your favorite subject? What was your least favorite subject?
>> Is this in high school?
>> High school. Or college.
>> High school? College.
>> Either one.
>> Okay. In college, my favorite subject was Asian-American studies. And so that's why I took it on as a minor. I
should have done it as a major but I didn't want . . . I wanted to graduate within the four years.
>> You graduated in four years?
>> I graduated in thr . . . I graduate a quarter earlier. So, it was three and whatever.
>> Wow. That's amazing. So, I'll ask you later how did you do it?
>> Okay. But Asian-American classes were my favorite classes. Because they just talked about specific groups. And in
particular, I liked Asian-Americans in TV and media. And it was just very interesting to see because I watch TV all the
time. Everyone has a TV at home and they watch TV. And you don't really realize that there is a lack of Asians on TV
or Asian-Americans on TV. And they're not really playing the leading roles. And then maybe a lot of people, like for
me, I watch the Thai dramas. Or people who are into Korean dramas. But yes, we don't have that here. But my least
favorite probably would be chemistry.
>> Is it? Okay.
>> Because I don't think I had a solid foundation for chemistry. It was difficult for me.
>> What makes a good professor and what makes a bad professor?
>> Let me see. I want to say a good professor is a professor that is approachable. They come across friendly and are
approachable. Because then it invites the student to come and talk to them, right, if they have questions. And I think that
a good professor is a person who thoroughly explains the subject and uses maybe, for me, like real life examples. And
explains the concept. And I feel like a bad professor would probably be like one that you can definitely see that lacks the
passion of teaching. I know in Santa Barbara there had some professors, where they're experts in their field, but they
definitely were not teachers. And so, it was hard to understand the subject. It was hard to do well in the class because
you didn't understand. And then when you go into talk to them, you kind of feel stupid. Because they're like, oh this is
the basics. You should know this. But I don't know this. And so, it's, like, so, I'm not so good at explaining. Bad
professors are not approachable.
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>> Okay. Have you, what were teacher expectations of you in high school? Were they neutral? Were they low? Were
they high? Specifically of you in your high school?
>> I want to say that they were high. Throughout high school we had different teachers and all. But I had some teachers
that were the same, especially in AP courses or in AVID. I did AVID all four years of high school.
>> Please, now, I'm not familiar with AVID. Please tell me about it. There's AVID in Central Valley?
>> Yes.
>> What is AVID? What does that stand for?
>> So, AVID is advanced via individual determination, I believe.
>> Okay. What is it?
>> So, it's basically, like a college bound program. And I think when they introduced AVID to us, I was in the 8th grade
and they were talking about . . .
>> But you had to ask to be in it or did your Mom get you in there? How did you get into it?
>> Oh, no, no. Well, you sign up to be in it when you sign up for your classes for high school. And so, you sign up for it
and then, I'm not sure how they determine it. Like who gets to be in it. But I know that not everyone who signs up gets
to be in it. And then there is an interview process. And then there is an exit interview. So, after you finish, after you
graduate and what not and you're about to leave AVID they also do an interview.
>> Do you have to pay?
>> No, you don't. It's a free, it's an elective. That's what it is.
>> But it's a class?
>> Yes. We go to class, I think, twice a week, probably. It's just like any other elective class. Is what it is. But AVID
solely based off of like being college ready. And so, it's very different. It depends on the teacher. I had two teachers for
AVID. Usually they stick you with one teacher. Because they want you to grow with that teacher. I think that's part of,
you know, their I guess program or curriculum to help the students.
>> What is it that they teach you in AVID?
>> They just, so, they teach you skill building. Like I said, it just depends on, I think, the teacher. When I was at West
Campus, where I first started AVID, I had a teacher for a year and in that AVID class we learned, we had to do a report
on a college that we picked. And we, you know, did a whole presentation on a science board and everything about the
college. And do the research of admission and how to get in, and what the campus offers and whatever it may be. They
do skill building exercises as well. Where the whole class, we would do trust exercises and games to see like, I think
they want us to be together as a group. And they want us to make sure, like, we work together and stick together. I think
just for support. And so, that's what we would do. And we would go on college tours. So, they took us to CSU
Stanislaus, took us to Davis, took us to UCLA, to Cal Poly.
>> Pomona or the other one?
>> Pomona, I believe.
>> Oh, okay.
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>> And then they took us to UOP.
>> What's EOP?
>> UOP? It's a private college. University of . . .
>> Oh, Pacific.
>> Pacific. Yes. So, I don't remember where else they took us.
>> Do you go with other AVID high schools, I mean, other high schools that also are or just your?
>> It's just our high school. So, it would be West Campus and East Campus combined.
>> Did you go to like Fresno Unified?
>> No. It was just our school. It was just our school. And it was just usually our class. Like each class, my brother was
in AVID as well. And so, like with each class, they'll go on a different trip. I think, in the, like when you're a freshman
or sophomore it's only a daytrip. But then I remember that when I was a junior or senior, we got to do overnight trips for
colleges and stuff. But that's also because of our funding. And so, but we, yes, we got to tour colleges. We talked about
colleges. We did resumes, resume workshops. Interview workshops. We had to keep a binder. And we would do binder
text every week. And they really wanted us to organize. They'd tell us about chrono notes. They taught us how to be a
highlight, I guess, because highlighting is, better for studying, I guess. It's like one of their methods of doing well in
classes. So, chrono notes, highlighting, keeping an organized binder, and then we'd get graded on our binder. On the
organization. Yes.
>> Oh, wow.
>> Then they want us to take notes. They want to make sure we take notes in our class. They also, what else did we do?
We did tutorials. So, I think every week, we'll think of a question that we have, like for our certain class and based off
getting your topic or your question you're put in a group that has a similar question. So, then they'll have volunteers
from Fresno State I think. Or students from Fresno State or past AVID students, I want to say. Who come in and they're
kind of like our leaders. And help us solve the problems. They would have a math problem, right? They'd help us on that
math problem or we had a geography question or English, or whatever it is. So, they'll make us work together to try to
solve all of our questions. And they'll try to help us turn it in at the end. And so, basically, they used to want us to well
in school. And then they want us to definitely think about college. They actually made us apply for FAFSA and
colleges.
>> Did they teach you about FAFSA?
>> Yes. So, we went to like the computer lab. They taught us, hey this is the FAFSA site. This is how, you know, you
put in your information and then they did that same thing with applying for colleges. So, they'll make . . . well, they
don't really make us. But, I mean, this is part of the program is to be interested in college. So, like, we'll have a day, like
the seniors, where we went in and we applied for [inaudible] Fresno State or UC schools. And the teachers will help us
out, like if we had question.
>> They keep after you in AVID class? Was it predominantly women? Or was it more men, or was it equal, fifty-fifty?
Like, did it keep equal?
>> I think they tried to keep it equal. I think they tried to keep it very diverse, as well. Because you had people of every,
almost every ethnicty. I think . . .
>> And did you guys all go to college?
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>> Yes. It sounds like, it looked like . . . because it's a small . . . and then they try to keep it small as well. And it . . . I
think everyone did attend college. I'm trying to think or . . .
>> And your school is called Central?
>> Yes. Central High School.
>> I don't know much about your high school, check it out.
>> Yes.
>> Not every Fresno has that, actually.
>> Oh. Interesting.
>> Only one.
>> Yes. I'm a big promoter of AVID. I love AVID. Yes. Because if I didn't know what AVID was and I signed up for it,
that class, because my friends signed up and we all kind of like, hey, let's do this. It's supposed to help us get into
college or something. You know.
>> It did.
>> And It did. It did.
>> You need to go back and volunteer.
>> Yes. Oh no, I still do. I still go back from time to time and help then with like exit interviews.
>> Oh. Okay.
>> And, like, I've been guest speaker for them several times. But, yes, I love AVID. And I feel like if it wasn't because
of AVID, like I wouldn't, my friends and I wouldn't, like, have gone out.
>> You guys wouldn't have gone to Fresno State or something?
>> Yes. Probably Fresno State or Cal State or stayed in Fresno. So, definitely opened up doors.
>> Interesting. Good to know. Okay. Great. So, what is the notable, is this your major? I guess, my next question is
what is the teacher, how did the teacher treat your co-ethnics in terms of Southeast Asian? And what were the notable
media expectations of your ethnic group? Or, if you don't know the answer just pass.
>> What were the notable media? Is that the question?
>> Yes.
>> Of your ethnic group?
>> Do you remember media in the, watch TV back in the day?
>> I don't think so. Like no one really knew what, you know, Laotian people were. Or they still don't. because they're
like what is that? What country is that from?
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>> True. Did you think you were sufficiently academically prepared for college?
>> I did not think I was prepared. Even though I took, like, I always took honors or AP. I think I just had that standard
for myself because of my sister. She's about seven years older than me, or so. But she kind of like paved the way for me.
She kind of set the standard.
>> So, she went to college?
>> Yes. She went to college. She went to UCLA.
>> Oh, wow.
>> And, you know.
>> So, she was your first generation. Is she the first generation or second generation?
>> She should be second. Like me.
>> Second. Okay.
>> But, yes, she went to college and, my parents didn't even. They weren't so thrilled about her leaving. They didn't
even know anything about it because they were just working. But I, my sister, I don't know, I don't know how she was
involved in deciding to go to fUCLA. But she definitely set that standard for me. And so, I always, my brother and I
were in competition. And so, we would always take honors classes, AP classes. And just try to challenge yourself, I
guess. But, I feel like even those classes didn't really help us to prepare us for college because I think for my sister,
myself and my brother, we both got kicked out of our majors. We were all in the science majors.
>> That's a common thing.
>> Yes. So, we're like getting the pressure from the parents to become a doctor or something. But, yes, we were all in
the sciences. And we obviously got kicked out of our majors. That's why our GPAs are so low.
>> It's the norm. UC Irvine. Actually all the schools. Because all . . . [laughs].
>> Yes, and so, I feel like I had a very difficult time in college because I didn't know, like, I felt like I did well in high
school. So, I think I was just good at doing homework. I'm not sure. You know. But when you go to college you really
have to know your stuff. And then I don't believe I was a strong writer. And then, I definitely learned that when I got
into college. And so, I like my, prep, I guess. Like in high school and stuff did not help in college. I feel like I was not
ready. And I didn't transition as well, leaving home. Because my parents were very strict and stuff. And so, they didn't
let us leave home. And it was my first time leaving home and I left for a very long time. So, it was, everything was very
different. Especially . . .
>> Santa Barbara. Yes.
>> Yes. It's kind of out there. Kind of wanted to leave. [Laughs]. It was out there and it was people. Because the beach
is there and what not. But, and I just liked the environment.
>> Did you want to go Merced or Davis?
>> No. Actually, it was between Davis or between Santa Barbara. And I toured both campuses and I really liked Santa
Barbara. Like, Santa Barbara is, it's by the beach but it's just a very nonchalant, very cool, chill attitude or vibe about the
campus and about the students. And everyone is very friendly there. And it's, they work hard and play hard. That's
exactly, that's like their motto. But it was a great experience. I love Santa Barbara. Like, I don't regret my choice at all.
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>> Great. Okay. Were there any barriers to your higher education success? As defined by you. Barriers?
>> I was like, how is barriers? What do you mean by barriers?
>> Self-defined. Well, you talked about educational barriers. Right? Were there any financial barriers? Or cultural
barriers? Or gender barriers? Or community barriers?
>> I think so. You know, like I said, my parents, especially Mom, didn't want me to leave. Because . . .
>> You would be the second one to leave or the third one to leave?
>> The second one. I'm the second child.
>> Second daughter?
>> Yes, second daughter. But . . .
>> She saw your older sister go.
>> Yes. She did. But, I don't know. She always has a problem with her babies leaving. It's just what it is.
>> Okay.
>> But, yes. Or maybe she doesn't . . . because I'm very different from my sister. Maybe she trusts my sister more. I
don't know. But she had a problem with me leaving. I think my Grandma, especially too, because I was more attached to
my Grandma. Because she actually, my Grandma is the one who actually raised me. Because my parents, like, worked
all the time. And I actually lived with her like when I was a kid. And so, she definitely didn't, I was her baby. So, she
didn't want me to leave. And, I think, also financially, I, let me see, I got, I was lucky enough to get fee waivers for my
college applications and stuff. And you know, when I went to school on financial aid there was no parent contribution.
And so, I was just living off my loans. And you know, sometimes I had problems with financial aid going through. But
other than that barrier . . .
>> Any community or gender barriers? So, when you speak of, of your parents, your Mom and Grandma didn't want
you to go. But would it have been different had you been a male.
>> Yes. I believe so. Because I always say this to my parents. Because my brother and I were treated very differently.
My brother is only like two years younger. But a year younger grade wise. But they're really lenient on him with going
out, with everything because when I was in school, in high school, middle school, I'd never gone out to parties. I never
gone out to parties. I'd never hung out with friends. But my brother was able to, like, because they would always say,
oh, because he's a boy. And so, and they for a reason because he's a boy. And so, I think that was definitely a barrier for
me doing what I wanted to do. Yes, they were much lenient on my brother.
>> And did he go out too?
>> Yes. He did. He went to UC Riverside.
>> Okay.
>> And he's still down south.
>> He's a junior or something?
>> Oh, no. He graduated. We all finished already.
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>> Great.
>> And he's just working down south. But, he . . . they let him go. Like they didn't really care. They would visit him the
most, too. And I was like, why would you visit him? You don't come visit me.
>> It's farther to go to Riverside.
>> I think so. A bit. But it's more to the [inaudible] as to the coast. But, they're just different in like the way my brother
gets treated and I get treated. Mainly because I'm a girl and he's a boy.
>> And did he go through AVID, too?
>> Yes. He did.
>> And what about your older sister?
>> My sister. They didn't have AVID yet. I think we were like the third or fourth graduating AVID class. So, it was
fairly new and they were still trying to develop the program.
>> Interesting. Okay. And you got there in what year?
>> 2009.
>> Oh, recent. Okay. All right. Excellent. Would you do work when you're in school at all? How many hours? And do
you think that impeded your graduation?
>> I did not work during undergrad. I did volunteer work. A lot of volunteer and stuff. And I was involved in
organizations. But other than that, I didn't work.
>> And did you have to . . . you didn't take care of parents or grandparents. Because you're away. Did you have, again,
as an Asian-American scholar, major minor, did you experience any microaggression in college, such as, example you
get [inaudible]. But a macroaggression would be someone burns a cross on your lawn. But did you experience any
microaggression, such as people might ask you where you're from or something.
>> Yes. I get a lot of questions on, oh, where are you from? Or what are you? Or you know. And I'll tell them Lao. I'm
Laotian. And they're like what is that? They really don't know.
>> Did you have any amount of Lao friends in college?
>> No. Well, only one. I'm sorry. Only one. I take that back. Only one and I did not know that he attended UC Santa
Barbara until my Mom had introduced us. Because his . . . So my parents own a shop here in Fresno. And, I guess, his
Mom was shopping in the store and they got to talking. And they, I don't know how it came about, but they were like,
oh, are kids go to the same school. So, my Mom handed over the contact. And I got in contact with him and we'll
carpool home and stuff. It's kind of crazy because no one really comes from Fresno. And then go UC Santa Barbara.
And then also being, you know, Laotian. So, it was . . . and he said he knew another Laotian male that was attending
that school as well. But I never got to meet him, though.
>> And then in that community that you made friends with at Santa Barbara, did you see Asians at Santa Barbara?
>> Yes. I feel like that's my friends are mainly Asian or Hispanic, or black. I didn't really have any white friends in
Santa Barbara.
>> What were the Asians?
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>> They had a, I think she was Tai. One was Tai. Another was Filipino, I think.
>> Did you meet any international Asians at all?
>> Yes. I had a roommate that were, one was from Japan and there was one from Korea.
>> Oh, interesting. You had like an Asian mixed bag. Is Santa Barbara, is there a lot of Asians there? I'm kind of
[inaudible] Irvine, which is 70 percent Asian.
>> Yes. There is not that many Asians, at all. UC Santa Barbara, I think, is predominantly white. So, I think the next
group would probably be Hispanics.
>> So, it's a small Asian population?
>> Yes. There is a very small Asian population. They had, I want to say, maybe three Asian like organizations or groups
or clubs on campus.
>> What were the three?
>> One was the Chinese. There was a lot Chinese people there. There was Filipino. There was a good amount of
Filipino. And then, I think, I think that might be it, actually.
>> Wow.
>> It's the like the only groups I remember.
>> But what if you weren't those two groups? There is no Pan-Asian, no Asian. We have Am-Asian club here.
>> No. We didn't have that. So, it was just like, kind of like remember that freshman year. That first week of college.
All the groups or clubs would be tabling. And there wasn't one that I could identify with. And so, I didn't do like an
ethnic, you know, I didn't do anything like an ethnic organization. I just stayed primarily to like I was doing medical. I
was trying to do medical. And so, I did like the medical groups.
>> You know we have a Lao student here?
>> Yes. And so that's why I was kind of jealous. We don't have that over there. But then again it would just be me and
my friend and that would be it. [Laugh].
>> Very [inaudible].
>> And I didn't even see a lot of [inaudible] in Santa Barbara either.
>> None?
>> I think I probably meet one. And that was it. But other than that, there was really no one.
>> I guess it depends on your school.
>> Yes. It doesn't. It really does.
>> What makes, I guess, Santa Barbara. What makes UC Santa Barbara a chilly school and what makes it a warm
school to you?
>> I'm not sure. I think it's, I guess, in where it's a warm school because, I think it's the atmosphere that makes it a warm
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school. I think maybe the vibe of being, because at our school is literally like on the beach.
>> Oh, really.
>> Yes. It's literally on the beach. And I think, when you're on the beach you're relaxed. You have a certain feeling, it's
kind of like stress free, kind of mellow, kind of. You know, a lot of the people at the beach are nice too. And I feel like
everyone there is kind of friendly and nice. And everyone there, like, Santa Barbara, their community is very, it's very . .
. health conscious.
>> Are they?
>> And so my dining commons. People say, oh, you gain whatever freshman 15. Yes, I did not gain. I think I lost
weight. Because they're very healthy. They did not have a deep-fried section. They didn't have like, it was very rare that
they did fried chicken at the dining common. But they're very health conscious. And then like the rec center is amazing.
They put a lot of money into the rec center. So, everyone's very fit. Everyone's very active. I think, that's why people are
very, like you know, happy. And very nice and friendly. And I think they had like, they also had many, I guess,
awareness days. Like, they'll bring in dogs onto campus. And it's like a therapy session. And then they have like their . .
.
>> For finals?
>> Yes. [inaudible]. So, they have that and they have like different little. They have a lot of organizations, like
communities, that are I guess, releases stress. Like, you know, they have their own workout communities. They have
like dancing communities. Like, I was involved in ballroom and salsa. And there was a good portion of students who
actually did it, too. They come out to the events and stuff. And I think for . . .
>> You danced?
>> Yes. I did salsa. They did competitive ballroom. I didn't . . . I wasn't good enough to do that. And I picked it up, like,
maybe my senior year. I think. So, it's a little late. Too late for me. But yes, it was a big class. And so, they had a lot of
programs, exercise programs, too. Were like, probably, half a unit. So, they have cycling aerobics, weightlifting. And I
actually did those, too. And I felt like, a lot of people say, oh, when you study, you should also work out. But you
should also like try to be healthy or fit. Or try to find some kind of hobby. And I feel like Santa Barbara definitely
provided that. They had a lot of options. I think they were very, I want to say, socially aware of things. I know they have
. . . Yes. I think they were very socially aware of things. Like they have speakers that come on to campus. And I know
they've have famous speakers in the past. Like, I know they had Carl Rove, who was part of the Bush administration
come and speak.
>> Goodness.
>> And I've heard they've have the Dalai Lama come and speak before, too. And like they have you know. Yes. They
have people come and speak. They have people who, like other professors, also come and speak. And I know for my
Asian-American classes and what not, I would have to go and attend some of like the films. Or on campus or like
lectures on campus. Like as part of our assignments and stuff.
>> Great. So, you talked about the barriers and what, let's see. So, you talked about it was a chilly and warm
environment. Did you think that anything hampered you in graduation at all? And then we'll go to success.
>> Did I think, I'm sorry.
>> Did anything hamper you in your graduation success. Like, anything, talk about the great beaches.
>> Yes. So, hamper me from my graduation. I think my, I think I wasn't prepared enough for the sciences. I didn't have
a really good foundation, I want to say in high school, to prepare me for the science classes. Because I used to love the
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sciences and I thought I did well in the sciences in high school. But college is a different field. And I felt like maybe
unprepared and not fully understanding the science in college did hamper my graduation success a bit. Because I kicked
out of major. I was a bio-psych major. I got kicked out of major because I failed chem. And I couldn't repeat it again.
Because they have a limit on how many times you have to repeat it. And I couldn't repeat it again and so I got kicked
out. And I had to figure out what else I was going to do.
>> You chose philosophy?
>> Yes. and then I picked up Asian-American studies. But luckily, I was able to finish in time or finish kind of a little
bit before the four years. But I think it's because I had already taken some classes.
>> Did your credits from your AP? How did you do it.? Like you did it less than four years?
>> Yes. I didn't have. I did summer school I did every summer. I did summer school. I didn't want to. I don't know. I
guess my parents are very big on education. And they just, they got me in the habit of always having to do something.
So, every time I had a break I had a decent thing, whether it's cheering or doing school. I always did school. I even did
school when I was in high school. I did, I took a [inaudible] class my senior year or something for the summer. But that
transferred over but it didn't count for my major. But I did summer school every summer.
>> Okay. Great. So now the last part. I'm asking you about success. So, you're a successful Southeast Asian, what is it
about you, your personality, like how, what is it about your personality traits that made you graduate. What is it about?
Why did you make it? It's such a success for a Lao-American but you know it's a, why you? Why you? What is it about
you that made it?
>> I think it's definitely, I guess, how I was brought up. You know, family were refugees and they came here with
nothing. And they were a lot of them that came over. And like, so my Mom's side is my Grandma. She was a single
parent. And she had seven kids with her. And my Mom's like, I think the second oldest. And so she had to take care of
her brothers and sisters. And they're all younger. And they were like here in America doing high school, middle school.
You know, she never got to do it because she was one of the oldest, so she had to work to help my Grandma out and
stuff. And so I think, it's just like them never giving up. And like hearing their stories. They don't necessarily tell me the
stories but they tell other people the stories. And I'll like, listen to the stories. But, you know, I think how hard they had
it. But then they made it here. Like, you know my Dad went to school and got his AA but for electrician, I think. But
they ended up doing business. And they've been in business you know. It's like a sacrifice they had to make in order to
,like, help out the family. Because the siblings are younger and then they still like you know, need the help. Need the aid
and stuff. I think them never giving up and kept going. I think that's, I feel like they've definitely put that personality in
me.
>> Really?
>> Yes. They definitely like, I definitely got that personality from them and their hard work. And I feel like the reason
why I did so well, not so well. I don't want to say I did well. Because I struggled a lot to get to where I am now. But I
think my determination and like my fighter side kept me going.
>> You are the top 6 percent of the world. Quite impressive.
>> So, we talked about and you answered the next question I was going to ask. What about family? But you, the stories.
What were the bridges? What helped you get into college and graduate. Like, what were the . . . I asked you earlier what
were the barriers? What were the bridges like? You said AVID was a big bridge.
>> Yes. AVID was definitely a big one. I think my sister was a big one, too. She like paved the path for us to like go.
Because my parents definitely did not want it. Like they didn't quite expect anything of us. They just wanted us to do
well in school. And that was kind of it.
>> And she graduated, right?
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>> Yes. She graduated. She graduated from UCLA. She got her Master's and stuff. She's doing well. Like all of us are
going pretty well. We're pretty happy. My parents are great. I tell them all the time they are very lucky. [Laughs]. But
she knows she paved the way. She set the standards and stuff for us. And, like, I didn't. I definitely received help from
her. Because she kind of knew how the UC system worked. And she would read over my papers and stuff to make sure
it was okay to submit. But definitely AVID. AVID was a big part of my success.
>> Were those teachers high school teachers?
>> Yes. So, my teachers that I had, they were high school teachers. And they actually taught other classes. I think my,
the one at West Campus, her name was Mrs. Fields [phonetic] and she taught, I think she taught English. And then she
taught AVID as well. Because AVID is not, there aren't many classes. Like I think for my year, there were only two
classes of AVID. And so there's probably like maybe, I want to say, like, a total of 50 of us, maybe less than 50 that
graduated in 2009 for AVID. And so, and then for East Campus, I had for the rest of the three years, I had Kilpack
[phonetic] who I call. She's the coach for tennis. And then she taught AVID. And I think she's like the main person. I'm
not sure if she's still there actually. I haven't talked to her in a while. But she's the main person. And they're very
selective in like who they bring in as AVID teachers because they want to make sure like the teachers are going to be
able to really be there for the students. I'm not sure exactly what they look for. But it's just like the students. Like there
is the specific group that they look for I think. Because they didn't accept any really like the top students at our high
school. They didn't like the valedictorian and stuff. They didn't accept the students who did really well. I think they
probably accepted the people who like had potential to do well, were like kind of in the middle, and just to help them
like get there, up there too. I think there was their main focus. I'm not sure if it changed now. But I think that's how it
was when I was in school. But yes, they actually showed us, I think, a lot of people in there were like, you know, there
is more than just Fresno State. There's like these other UC schools. There are other CSC too.
>> Recording this. Okay. Great. Now you're part of the campus thing. The Lao-American-Asian. [inaudible] usually.
>> Yes. [Inaudible].
>> Did you, this sometimes happens, but did you have any community support going to college at all?
>> No. I did not. Yes. There weren't that many Laotian people at Central, actually. I think for my year, there was
probably one other Laotian person that I knew of. And there is just a small amount of us. Small, I think majority were
Mah [phonetic] people. But I didn't really have community support. I wasn't really involved in the community. And I
think the program, the organization, just was barely brought up not so long ago. And so I know there are like other
organizations in Fresno, you know, Sum Sup [phonetic].
>> Yes. Sum Sup [phonetic] and.
>> Sum Sup, yes.
>> Yes. But I didn't know of those. And I didn't of those and I didn't hear about those. And my parents like, very
involved in the community. Although, they own the shop and stuff, but they are involved in like the temple community.
>> Are they Buddhist?
>> Yes. And so it's like very different. But, yes.
>> Any cross ethnic community> Any Lao and Cambodia? Because they're both Buddhist? But is there any going on or
no?
>> Not really. Like the only time that they mix would be the monks. We'll get visiting monks from the Cambodian
temple that comes to ours. Or like, we have some of our monks that go to visit their temple. And then they'll lead
ceremonies and stuff there. Because the chant is the same. Even though it's different. The chant is the same but, yes, we
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don't really have a cross, really.
>> So, this the last part, which is the fun part. We're really trying to improve Southeast Asians, such as yourself,
particularly for your graduation. I'm so down the line, what do you want at colleges. What do you want them to have to
be more inviting? Well, you're actually successful but for the ones who are not successful. For example, do you want
smaller classes? Do you want more co-ethnic professors? All this. And then, wait, if you want a workshop, what
workshops do you want to get people to graduate? More of this more of that? And then at the end, I'll ask you what is
your advice to third and fourth generations after you? It doesn't have to be Southeast Asian but South Asians. And then
my last question is what questions do you think I should ask anything else from a volunteer or anything else? I guess
we'll start, smaller classes. Make a difference. No? No difference? Yes or no.
>> I believe so. Because I've been in the big lectures that intro classes with like, I don't even know how many hundreds.
>> Hundreds?
>> Yes. And it does make a difference as to a smaller class. Yes. It does make a difference for smaller classes. I feel like
the teacher is more, like, they're able to pay attention to you. You know you get picked on, called on. But that's how you
learn. You know.
>> Co-ethnic professors. Make a difference or no? More co-ethnics? More Asian professors?
>> Yes. I believe they do. Yes. I want to say they do. Because I feel like as an Asian, like, you can relate more. If you . .
. I don't know. Because there's studies about like how the same ethnic groups, like the individuals, they kind of become
a click because that's what they're familiar with. Or you can see that similarity, right. And so, I feel like it would be but
if we get to have more Asian professors. At my law school there are no Asian professors. And so, it's very different. I'm
not saying, oh, my professor. They're very good professors, you know. But it's like I said, I definitely have a struggle
right now in law school because there's no there's no support like there's yes, there's days where I feel very beat. And I
tell my friend, and she's just like oh, this is how you pave the way. And because there is no one that really has paved the
way for me, yet. And so I can't ask them questions. Like, how do you do this or how do you do that? Like, you know,
and so it's just very difficult. I would like to see more Asian professors.
>> Co-ethnic classmates? Would that make more difference? More Asians? And, also, co-ethnic clubs?
>> Yes. I think both would. Like I mentioned before, you know. It's just what you're familiar with. And I think it's
probably easier to approach someone who you are . . . who you can see that, you know, maybe like a similar
background. Or like maybe we're not the same type of Asian but still there's still a lot of similarities there.
>> Great. Workshops? What workshops do you want on campus that would make it, what workshops do you want?
More positive experience I guess. Is there something you want that you want to see? You talked about you said you
weren't prepared in the chem classes. Did you want a chem workshop? Did you want [inaudible].
>> I think more workshops? I'm not sure necessarily. I think more so, like, meet up groups.
>> Meet up groups?
>> Like, if that makes sense. Not necessarily like specifically like, you are working on a specific topic, or whatever. But
more meet up groups, maybe in the same field that you want to get into. So that you can ask for help. It's a connection,
like, are you going to medical school? Oh, I know this person who, you know, we talked and stuff and we have the same
background. Right? And ask them, feel more free to ask them, like questions that you might not want to ask someone
else. Right? And then, I think.
>> Anything else?
>> I'm just, I'm trying, I think I may have to come back to that one. Because I'm trying to think of workshops and I'm
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not, college workshops?
>> Did you want a writing or math or science.
>> Writing is very important. I feel like if it were from what I heard there's not a lot of strong writers in the Central
Valley. And so, I think writing, definitely, will take a person a long way, you know. And I think maybe interview
workshops. I feel like, when I go into interviews, and I've been in many interviews, you can always improve. And so, I
feel like, you know. Interview workshops, resume workshops.
>> Okay. Resume workshops?
>> Yes.
>> Specifically for Southeast Asians or in general. Okay.
>> Your friend is right. You are a pave maker or a path maker. And so, probably the third and fourth generation will be
easier because of you and your struggles.
>> I hope so.
>> Because we do have somewhat of a high drop out rate, not actually just Southeast Asian men but in general.
Minority men in general are dropping out, like African-American men, Latino men, they're coming but we can't help
them somehow? So last part is just well, before I ask you anything else, I want to add. What is your advice for a third
and fourth generation, let's say minorities or Southeast Asians in general. What advice to you have for them? Because
I'm sure they will struggle. They will come 15 years after you but I'm sure they'll struggle, as well. What advice do you
give them? Because particularly they will want to drop out.
>> I want to say just keep going. I feel like that's the, and just kind of don't forget your roots. Especially, I'm assuming
it'll be like their grandparent's roots? Right? Like how, you know, our parents came here. I feel like if my parents story,
my family story, definitely helped me to realize this is how hard they work. I want to work hard for them. You know,
it's, they need to find that motivation to keep going.
>> So find the motivation? Okay.
>> Yes. And so, sometimes it helps to just kind of look back at your roots for that motivation.
>> And then is there something you want to recommend that you regret. You wish you could tell them that if they go to
college right now?
>> Ask for help.
>> Ask for help? Okay
>> Ask for help. I feel like a lot of people are, especially, minorities are afraid to ask for help, you know. And I feel,
like, don't be afraid to ask. I would say don't be afraid to ask for help that, sometimes you need help to be successful.
You know. Like, you need that hand to guide you and I feel like, yes. Just do whatever it takes to get to wherever you
want to go.
>> So there are people?
>> Yes. And don't be shy and don't be afraid to ask for help. There will be people that will want to help you. They're
waiting for you to ask. Just don't be afraid to ask for help.
>> That's great advice. Anything else?
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>> I think that's it. Yes. Talk to me. I'll be alive still. [Laugh].
>> You'll be alive, probably.
>> If you need support here.
>> Thank you so much for this interview. For Southeast Asian the Successful. Turn it off.
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>> Can I take this?
>> Oh, yes. [inaudible]. So, it's called Gladdey. Gladdey?
>> Yes. Gladdey.
>> Okay. Let me . . . Hello, Ms. Gladdey. Thank you so much for volunteering to be interviewed for this Southeast
Voices of the Successful. Please give me verbal permission to interview, as well as, can you tell us the date. And can
you spell your name.
>> Okay. I'm Gladdey, G-l-a-d-d-e-y, Donsanouphit, D-o-n-s-a-n-o-u-p-h-i-t. And I do give you permission to interview
me today on, what is it? June . . .
>> Voices of the Successful.
>> Yes. For Voices of the Successful on June 28, 2017.
>> All right. Great. Okay. Let's see. What is the gender that you identify as?
>> Female.
>> What is your birth year?
>> 1990.
>> What is your ethnic group?
>> Laotian American.
>> Undergraduate major?
>> Philosophy and minor in Asian work in studies.
>> You said you went to UC Santa Barbara?
>> Yes. I went to UC Santa Barbara.
>> What generation are you?
>> I want to say the second generation.
>> Okay. What is your mother and father's highest education level?
>> Let me see, my Mother, she did some high school. And my Dad he has his AA.
>> Oh. Okay. What is your family composition? I mean, how many siblings, or brothers do you have?
>> Oh, okay. I have an older sister and a younger brother.
>> Okay. What is your GPA?
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>> Like for undergrad or for . . . [Laughs].
>> Undergrad. Yes. Or whatever you want. We can skip that if you don't remember. Many times, it was a long time ago.
>> I believe it was like a 2.8.
>> Okay. What is your degree of aspiration? Your ultimate degree of aspiration?
>> Okay. To get my juris doctor and that's what I'm currently working towards, right now.
>> In terms of social economic background did you have a working class, middle class or fluent background? Your
family?
>> Can you elaborate on?
>> Working class, whatever . . . It's actually self-defining. Did you think of yourself as working-class family? Or did
you think of yourself as middle-class family? Or did you think of yourself as a rich family?
>> Working class. Definitely.
>> Okay. What type of high school was it? A public or private high school?
>> It was a public high school.
>> And what's the name of your high school and what's the ethnic demographics of your high school?
>> Okay. It's Central High School. There is a West Campus and East Campus. I attended both.
>> Oh, wow. Okay.
>> Because it was originally one school. And they made a new campus. And so, everyone was going to the new
campus. And so, they made all the freshman go to the old campus and then they could transfer over to where they
wanted to. Because it was just very far out of the way. So, I ended up going to both. And demographically, I want to
say, I'm not sure. It was pretty diverse. I think there was a good amount of each type of ethnic group there.
>> What predominantly Hispanic?
>> I would say so.
>> Over 50 percent or less?
>> I want to say over 50 percent.
>> Okay. Great. Why do you Lao-Americans go to college? Why do they do or why do they not go to college.
>> Just anyone in general going to college?
>> No. Yes. Why does the group go to college? Or why do they not go to college? Why and why not?
>> So, going to college, I think there are probably several reasons. Maybe, you know, maybe getting a better job. Better
pay. Maybe it's required by the family. Not sure. Maybe they just want to leave the house. But some people who don't
go to college. Maybe they aren't sure what they want to do. And so, they don't want to take that commitment, move to
college. Maybe they just want to work. Because maybe they feel like working is going to get them where they want to
be.
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>> Excellent. Do Lao-American students have strong relationships with administrators and faculty? Why or why not?
>> I can't speak for everyone. But for myself.
>> For yourself.
>> Yes. Like, I feel like I don't really have a strong relationship with faculty or administration just because, I'm not sure.
Like, I'm not sure because I'm more on the shy side or introvert. And so, I don't, I don't know, maybe go and seek help
like I should. I think I kind of learned that through experience. I kind of sometimes you need to go and like and ask for
help. And meet with your professors or you know talk to someone about either your financial situation or whatever that
you need to do.
>> What was your favorite subject? What was your least favorite subject?
>> Is this in high school?
>> High school. Or college.
>> High school? College.
>> Either one.
>> Okay. In college, my favorite subject was Asian-American studies. And so that's why I took it on as a minor. I
should have done it as a major but I didn't want . . . I wanted to graduate within the four years.
>> You graduated in four years?
>> I graduated in thr . . . I graduate a quarter earlier. So, it was three and whatever.
>> Wow. That's amazing. So, I'll ask you later how did you do it?
>> Okay. But Asian-American classes were my favorite classes. Because they just talked about specific groups. And in
particular, I liked Asian-Americans in TV and media. And it was just very interesting to see because I watch TV all the
time. Everyone has a TV at home and they watch TV. And you don't really realize that there is a lack of Asians on TV
or Asian-Americans on TV. And they're not really playing the leading roles. And then maybe a lot of people, like for
me, I watch the Thai dramas. Or people who are into Korean dramas. But yes, we don't have that here. But my least
favorite probably would be chemistry.
>> Is it? Okay.
>> Because I don't think I had a solid foundation for chemistry. It was difficult for me.
>> What makes a good professor and what makes a bad professor?
>> Let me see. I want to say a good professor is a professor that is approachable. They come across friendly and are
approachable. Because then it invites the student to come and talk to them, right, if they have questions. And I think that
a good professor is a person who thoroughly explains the subject and uses maybe, for me, like real life examples. And
explains the concept. And I feel like a bad professor would probably be like one that you can definitely see that lacks the
passion of teaching. I know in Santa Barbara there had some professors, where they're experts in their field, but they
definitely were not teachers. And so, it was hard to understand the subject. It was hard to do well in the class because
you didn't understand. And then when you go into talk to them, you kind of feel stupid. Because they're like, oh this is
the basics. You should know this. But I don't know this. And so, it's, like, so, I'm not so good at explaining. Bad
professors are not approachable.
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>> Okay. Have you, what were teacher expectations of you in high school? Were they neutral? Were they low? Were
they high? Specifically of you in your high school?
>> I want to say that they were high. Throughout high school we had different teachers and all. But I had some teachers
that were the same, especially in AP courses or in AVID. I did AVID all four years of high school.
>> Please, now, I'm not familiar with AVID. Please tell me about it. There's AVID in Central Valley?
>> Yes.
>> What is AVID? What does that stand for?
>> So, AVID is advanced via individual determination, I believe.
>> Okay. What is it?
>> So, it's basically, like a college bound program. And I think when they introduced AVID to us, I was in the 8th grade
and they were talking about . . .
>> But you had to ask to be in it or did your Mom get you in there? How did you get into it?
>> Oh, no, no. Well, you sign up to be in it when you sign up for your classes for high school. And so, you sign up for it
and then, I'm not sure how they determine it. Like who gets to be in it. But I know that not everyone who signs up gets
to be in it. And then there is an interview process. And then there is an exit interview. So, after you finish, after you
graduate and what not and you're about to leave AVID they also do an interview.
>> Do you have to pay?
>> No, you don't. It's a free, it's an elective. That's what it is.
>> But it's a class?
>> Yes. We go to class, I think, twice a week, probably. It's just like any other elective class. Is what it is. But AVID
solely based off of like being college ready. And so, it's very different. It depends on the teacher. I had two teachers for
AVID. Usually they stick you with one teacher. Because they want you to grow with that teacher. I think that's part of,
you know, their I guess program or curriculum to help the students.
>> What is it that they teach you in AVID?
>> They just, so, they teach you skill building. Like I said, it just depends on, I think, the teacher. When I was at West
Campus, where I first started AVID, I had a teacher for a year and in that AVID class we learned, we had to do a report
on a college that we picked. And we, you know, did a whole presentation on a science board and everything about the
college. And do the research of admission and how to get in, and what the campus offers and whatever it may be. They
do skill building exercises as well. Where the whole class, we would do trust exercises and games to see like, I think
they want us to be together as a group. And they want us to make sure, like, we work together and stick together. I think
just for support. And so, that's what we would do. And we would go on college tours. So, they took us to CSU
Stanislaus, took us to Davis, took us to UCLA, to Cal Poly.
>> Pomona or the other one?
>> Pomona, I believe.
>> Oh, okay.
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>> And then they took us to UOP.
>> What's EOP?
>> UOP? It's a private college. University of . . .
>> Oh, Pacific.
>> Pacific. Yes. So, I don't remember where else they took us.
>> Do you go with other AVID high schools, I mean, other high schools that also are or just your?
>> It's just our high school. So, it would be West Campus and East Campus combined.
>> Did you go to like Fresno Unified?
>> No. It was just our school. It was just our school. And it was just usually our class. Like each class, my brother was
in AVID as well. And so, like with each class, they'll go on a different trip. I think, in the, like when you're a freshman
or sophomore it's only a daytrip. But then I remember that when I was a junior or senior, we got to do overnight trips for
colleges and stuff. But that's also because of our funding. And so, but we, yes, we got to tour colleges. We talked about
colleges. We did resumes, resume workshops. Interview workshops. We had to keep a binder. And we would do binder
text every week. And they really wanted us to organize. They'd tell us about chrono notes. They taught us how to be a
highlight, I guess, because highlighting is, better for studying, I guess. It's like one of their methods of doing well in
classes. So, chrono notes, highlighting, keeping an organized binder, and then we'd get graded on our binder. On the
organization. Yes.
>> Oh, wow.
>> Then they want us to take notes. They want to make sure we take notes in our class. They also, what else did we do?
We did tutorials. So, I think every week, we'll think of a question that we have, like for our certain class and based off
getting your topic or your question you're put in a group that has a similar question. So, then they'll have volunteers
from Fresno State I think. Or students from Fresno State or past AVID students, I want to say. Who come in and they're
kind of like our leaders. And help us solve the problems. They would have a math problem, right? They'd help us on that
math problem or we had a geography question or English, or whatever it is. So, they'll make us work together to try to
solve all of our questions. And they'll try to help us turn it in at the end. And so, basically, they used to want us to well
in school. And then they want us to definitely think about college. They actually made us apply for FAFSA and
colleges.
>> Did they teach you about FAFSA?
>> Yes. So, we went to like the computer lab. They taught us, hey this is the FAFSA site. This is how, you know, you
put in your information and then they did that same thing with applying for colleges. So, they'll make . . . well, they
don't really make us. But, I mean, this is part of the program is to be interested in college. So, like, we'll have a day, like
the seniors, where we went in and we applied for [inaudible] Fresno State or UC schools. And the teachers will help us
out, like if we had question.
>> They keep after you in AVID class? Was it predominantly women? Or was it more men, or was it equal, fifty-fifty?
Like, did it keep equal?
>> I think they tried to keep it equal. I think they tried to keep it very diverse, as well. Because you had people of every,
almost every ethnicty. I think . . .
>> And did you guys all go to college?
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>> Yes. It sounds like, it looked like . . . because it's a small . . . and then they try to keep it small as well. And it . . . I
think everyone did attend college. I'm trying to think or . . .
>> And your school is called Central?
>> Yes. Central High School.
>> I don't know much about your high school, check it out.
>> Yes.
>> Not every Fresno has that, actually.
>> Oh. Interesting.
>> Only one.
>> Yes. I'm a big promoter of AVID. I love AVID. Yes. Because if I didn't know what AVID was and I signed up for it,
that class, because my friends signed up and we all kind of like, hey, let's do this. It's supposed to help us get into
college or something. You know.
>> It did.
>> And It did. It did.
>> You need to go back and volunteer.
>> Yes. Oh no, I still do. I still go back from time to time and help then with like exit interviews.
>> Oh. Okay.
>> And, like, I've been guest speaker for them several times. But, yes, I love AVID. And I feel like if it wasn't because
of AVID, like I wouldn't, my friends and I wouldn't, like, have gone out.
>> You guys wouldn't have gone to Fresno State or something?
>> Yes. Probably Fresno State or Cal State or stayed in Fresno. So, definitely opened up doors.
>> Interesting. Good to know. Okay. Great. So, what is the notable, is this your major? I guess, my next question is
what is the teacher, how did the teacher treat your co-ethnics in terms of Southeast Asian? And what were the notable
media expectations of your ethnic group? Or, if you don't know the answer just pass.
>> What were the notable media? Is that the question?
>> Yes.
>> Of your ethnic group?
>> Do you remember media in the, watch TV back in the day?
>> I don't think so. Like no one really knew what, you know, Laotian people were. Or they still don't. because they're
like what is that? What country is that from?
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>> True. Did you think you were sufficiently academically prepared for college?
>> I did not think I was prepared. Even though I took, like, I always took honors or AP. I think I just had that standard
for myself because of my sister. She's about seven years older than me, or so. But she kind of like paved the way for me.
She kind of set the standard.
>> So, she went to college?
>> Yes. She went to college. She went to UCLA.
>> Oh, wow.
>> And, you know.
>> So, she was your first generation. Is she the first generation or second generation?
>> She should be second. Like me.
>> Second. Okay.
>> But, yes, she went to college and, my parents didn't even. They weren't so thrilled about her leaving. They didn't
even know anything about it because they were just working. But I, my sister, I don't know, I don't know how she was
involved in deciding to go to fUCLA. But she definitely set that standard for me. And so, I always, my brother and I
were in competition. And so, we would always take honors classes, AP classes. And just try to challenge yourself, I
guess. But, I feel like even those classes didn't really help us to prepare us for college because I think for my sister,
myself and my brother, we both got kicked out of our majors. We were all in the science majors.
>> That's a common thing.
>> Yes. So, we're like getting the pressure from the parents to become a doctor or something. But, yes, we were all in
the sciences. And we obviously got kicked out of our majors. That's why our GPAs are so low.
>> It's the norm. UC Irvine. Actually all the schools. Because all . . . [laughs].
>> Yes, and so, I feel like I had a very difficult time in college because I didn't know, like, I felt like I did well in high
school. So, I think I was just good at doing homework. I'm not sure. You know. But when you go to college you really
have to know your stuff. And then I don't believe I was a strong writer. And then, I definitely learned that when I got
into college. And so, I like my, prep, I guess. Like in high school and stuff did not help in college. I feel like I was not
ready. And I didn't transition as well, leaving home. Because my parents were very strict and stuff. And so, they didn't
let us leave home. And it was my first time leaving home and I left for a very long time. So, it was, everything was very
different. Especially . . .
>> Santa Barbara. Yes.
>> Yes. It's kind of out there. Kind of wanted to leave. [Laughs]. It was out there and it was people. Because the beach
is there and what not. But, and I just liked the environment.
>> Did you want to go Merced or Davis?
>> No. Actually, it was between Davis or between Santa Barbara. And I toured both campuses and I really liked Santa
Barbara. Like, Santa Barbara is, it's by the beach but it's just a very nonchalant, very cool, chill attitude or vibe about the
campus and about the students. And everyone is very friendly there. And it's, they work hard and play hard. That's
exactly, that's like their motto. But it was a great experience. I love Santa Barbara. Like, I don't regret my choice at all.
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>> Great. Okay. Were there any barriers to your higher education success? As defined by you. Barriers?
>> I was like, how is barriers? What do you mean by barriers?
>> Self-defined. Well, you talked about educational barriers. Right? Were there any financial barriers? Or cultural
barriers? Or gender barriers? Or community barriers?
>> I think so. You know, like I said, my parents, especially Mom, didn't want me to leave. Because . . .
>> You would be the second one to leave or the third one to leave?
>> The second one. I'm the second child.
>> Second daughter?
>> Yes, second daughter. But . . .
>> She saw your older sister go.
>> Yes. She did. But, I don't know. She always has a problem with her babies leaving. It's just what it is.
>> Okay.
>> But, yes. Or maybe she doesn't . . . because I'm very different from my sister. Maybe she trusts my sister more. I
don't know. But she had a problem with me leaving. I think my Grandma, especially too, because I was more attached to
my Grandma. Because she actually, my Grandma is the one who actually raised me. Because my parents, like, worked
all the time. And I actually lived with her like when I was a kid. And so, she definitely didn't, I was her baby. So, she
didn't want me to leave. And, I think, also financially, I, let me see, I got, I was lucky enough to get fee waivers for my
college applications and stuff. And you know, when I went to school on financial aid there was no parent contribution.
And so, I was just living off my loans. And you know, sometimes I had problems with financial aid going through. But
other than that barrier . . .
>> Any community or gender barriers? So, when you speak of, of your parents, your Mom and Grandma didn't want
you to go. But would it have been different had you been a male.
>> Yes. I believe so. Because I always say this to my parents. Because my brother and I were treated very differently.
My brother is only like two years younger. But a year younger grade wise. But they're really lenient on him with going
out, with everything because when I was in school, in high school, middle school, I'd never gone out to parties. I never
gone out to parties. I'd never hung out with friends. But my brother was able to, like, because they would always say,
oh, because he's a boy. And so, and they for a reason because he's a boy. And so, I think that was definitely a barrier for
me doing what I wanted to do. Yes, they were much lenient on my brother.
>> And did he go out too?
>> Yes. He did. He went to UC Riverside.
>> Okay.
>> And he's still down south.
>> He's a junior or something?
>> Oh, no. He graduated. We all finished already.
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>> Great.
>> And he's just working down south. But, he . . . they let him go. Like they didn't really care. They would visit him the
most, too. And I was like, why would you visit him? You don't come visit me.
>> It's farther to go to Riverside.
>> I think so. A bit. But it's more to the [inaudible] as to the coast. But, they're just different in like the way my brother
gets treated and I get treated. Mainly because I'm a girl and he's a boy.
>> And did he go through AVID, too?
>> Yes. He did.
>> And what about your older sister?
>> My sister. They didn't have AVID yet. I think we were like the third or fourth graduating AVID class. So, it was
fairly new and they were still trying to develop the program.
>> Interesting. Okay. And you got there in what year?
>> 2009.
>> Oh, recent. Okay. All right. Excellent. Would you do work when you're in school at all? How many hours? And do
you think that impeded your graduation?
>> I did not work during undergrad. I did volunteer work. A lot of volunteer and stuff. And I was involved in
organizations. But other than that, I didn't work.
>> And did you have to . . . you didn't take care of parents or grandparents. Because you're away. Did you have, again,
as an Asian-American scholar, major minor, did you experience any microaggression in college, such as, example you
get [inaudible]. But a macroaggression would be someone burns a cross on your lawn. But did you experience any
microaggression, such as people might ask you where you're from or something.
>> Yes. I get a lot of questions on, oh, where are you from? Or what are you? Or you know. And I'll tell them Lao. I'm
Laotian. And they're like what is that? They really don't know.
>> Did you have any amount of Lao friends in college?
>> No. Well, only one. I'm sorry. Only one. I take that back. Only one and I did not know that he attended UC Santa
Barbara until my Mom had introduced us. Because his . . . So my parents own a shop here in Fresno. And, I guess, his
Mom was shopping in the store and they got to talking. And they, I don't know how it came about, but they were like,
oh, are kids go to the same school. So, my Mom handed over the contact. And I got in contact with him and we'll
carpool home and stuff. It's kind of crazy because no one really comes from Fresno. And then go UC Santa Barbara.
And then also being, you know, Laotian. So, it was . . . and he said he knew another Laotian male that was attending
that school as well. But I never got to meet him, though.
>> And then in that community that you made friends with at Santa Barbara, did you see Asians at Santa Barbara?
>> Yes. I feel like that's my friends are mainly Asian or Hispanic, or black. I didn't really have any white friends in
Santa Barbara.
>> What were the Asians?
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>> They had a, I think she was Tai. One was Tai. Another was Filipino, I think.
>> Did you meet any international Asians at all?
>> Yes. I had a roommate that were, one was from Japan and there was one from Korea.
>> Oh, interesting. You had like an Asian mixed bag. Is Santa Barbara, is there a lot of Asians there? I'm kind of
[inaudible] Irvine, which is 70 percent Asian.
>> Yes. There is not that many Asians, at all. UC Santa Barbara, I think, is predominantly white. So, I think the next
group would probably be Hispanics.
>> So, it's a small Asian population?
>> Yes. There is a very small Asian population. They had, I want to say, maybe three Asian like organizations or groups
or clubs on campus.
>> What were the three?
>> One was the Chinese. There was a lot Chinese people there. There was Filipino. There was a good amount of
Filipino. And then, I think, I think that might be it, actually.
>> Wow.
>> It's the like the only groups I remember.
>> But what if you weren't those two groups? There is no Pan-Asian, no Asian. We have Am-Asian club here.
>> No. We didn't have that. So, it was just like, kind of like remember that freshman year. That first week of college.
All the groups or clubs would be tabling. And there wasn't one that I could identify with. And so, I didn't do like an
ethnic, you know, I didn't do anything like an ethnic organization. I just stayed primarily to like I was doing medical. I
was trying to do medical. And so, I did like the medical groups.
>> You know we have a Lao student here?
>> Yes. And so that's why I was kind of jealous. We don't have that over there. But then again it would just be me and
my friend and that would be it. [Laugh].
>> Very [inaudible].
>> And I didn't even see a lot of [inaudible] in Santa Barbara either.
>> None?
>> I think I probably meet one. And that was it. But other than that, there was really no one.
>> I guess it depends on your school.
>> Yes. It doesn't. It really does.
>> What makes, I guess, Santa Barbara. What makes UC Santa Barbara a chilly school and what makes it a warm
school to you?
>> I'm not sure. I think it's, I guess, in where it's a warm school because, I think it's the atmosphere that makes it a warm
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school. I think maybe the vibe of being, because at our school is literally like on the beach.
>> Oh, really.
>> Yes. It's literally on the beach. And I think, when you're on the beach you're relaxed. You have a certain feeling, it's
kind of like stress free, kind of mellow, kind of. You know, a lot of the people at the beach are nice too. And I feel like
everyone there is kind of friendly and nice. And everyone there, like, Santa Barbara, their community is very, it's very . .
. health conscious.
>> Are they?
>> And so my dining commons. People say, oh, you gain whatever freshman 15. Yes, I did not gain. I think I lost
weight. Because they're very healthy. They did not have a deep-fried section. They didn't have like, it was very rare that
they did fried chicken at the dining common. But they're very health conscious. And then like the rec center is amazing.
They put a lot of money into the rec center. So, everyone's very fit. Everyone's very active. I think, that's why people are
very, like you know, happy. And very nice and friendly. And I think they had like, they also had many, I guess,
awareness days. Like, they'll bring in dogs onto campus. And it's like a therapy session. And then they have like their . .
.
>> For finals?
>> Yes. [inaudible]. So, they have that and they have like different little. They have a lot of organizations, like
communities, that are I guess, releases stress. Like, you know, they have their own workout communities. They have
like dancing communities. Like, I was involved in ballroom and salsa. And there was a good portion of students who
actually did it, too. They come out to the events and stuff. And I think for . . .
>> You danced?
>> Yes. I did salsa. They did competitive ballroom. I didn't . . . I wasn't good enough to do that. And I picked it up, like,
maybe my senior year. I think. So, it's a little late. Too late for me. But yes, it was a big class. And so, they had a lot of
programs, exercise programs, too. Were like, probably, half a unit. So, they have cycling aerobics, weightlifting. And I
actually did those, too. And I felt like, a lot of people say, oh, when you study, you should also work out. But you
should also like try to be healthy or fit. Or try to find some kind of hobby. And I feel like Santa Barbara definitely
provided that. They had a lot of options. I think they were very, I want to say, socially aware of things. I know they have
. . . Yes. I think they were very socially aware of things. Like they have speakers that come on to campus. And I know
they've have famous speakers in the past. Like, I know they had Carl Rove, who was part of the Bush administration
come and speak.
>> Goodness.
>> And I've heard they've have the Dalai Lama come and speak before, too. And like they have you know. Yes. They
have people come and speak. They have people who, like other professors, also come and speak. And I know for my
Asian-American classes and what not, I would have to go and attend some of like the films. Or on campus or like
lectures on campus. Like as part of our assignments and stuff.
>> Great. So, you talked about the barriers and what, let's see. So, you talked about it was a chilly and warm
environment. Did you think that anything hampered you in graduation at all? And then we'll go to success.
>> Did I think, I'm sorry.
>> Did anything hamper you in your graduation success. Like, anything, talk about the great beaches.
>> Yes. So, hamper me from my graduation. I think my, I think I wasn't prepared enough for the sciences. I didn't have
a really good foundation, I want to say in high school, to prepare me for the science classes. Because I used to love the
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sciences and I thought I did well in the sciences in high school. But college is a different field. And I felt like maybe
unprepared and not fully understanding the science in college did hamper my graduation success a bit. Because I kicked
out of major. I was a bio-psych major. I got kicked out of major because I failed chem. And I couldn't repeat it again.
Because they have a limit on how many times you have to repeat it. And I couldn't repeat it again and so I got kicked
out. And I had to figure out what else I was going to do.
>> You chose philosophy?
>> Yes. and then I picked up Asian-American studies. But luckily, I was able to finish in time or finish kind of a little
bit before the four years. But I think it's because I had already taken some classes.
>> Did your credits from your AP? How did you do it.? Like you did it less than four years?
>> Yes. I didn't have. I did summer school I did every summer. I did summer school. I didn't want to. I don't know. I
guess my parents are very big on education. And they just, they got me in the habit of always having to do something.
So, every time I had a break I had a decent thing, whether it's cheering or doing school. I always did school. I even did
school when I was in high school. I did, I took a [inaudible] class my senior year or something for the summer. But that
transferred over but it didn't count for my major. But I did summer school every summer.
>> Okay. Great. So now the last part. I'm asking you about success. So, you're a successful Southeast Asian, what is it
about you, your personality, like how, what is it about your personality traits that made you graduate. What is it about?
Why did you make it? It's such a success for a Lao-American but you know it's a, why you? Why you? What is it about
you that made it?
>> I think it's definitely, I guess, how I was brought up. You know, family were refugees and they came here with
nothing. And they were a lot of them that came over. And like, so my Mom's side is my Grandma. She was a single
parent. And she had seven kids with her. And my Mom's like, I think the second oldest. And so she had to take care of
her brothers and sisters. And they're all younger. And they were like here in America doing high school, middle school.
You know, she never got to do it because she was one of the oldest, so she had to work to help my Grandma out and
stuff. And so I think, it's just like them never giving up. And like hearing their stories. They don't necessarily tell me the
stories but they tell other people the stories. And I'll like, listen to the stories. But, you know, I think how hard they had
it. But then they made it here. Like, you know my Dad went to school and got his AA but for electrician, I think. But
they ended up doing business. And they've been in business you know. It's like a sacrifice they had to make in order to
,like, help out the family. Because the siblings are younger and then they still like you know, need the help. Need the aid
and stuff. I think them never giving up and kept going. I think that's, I feel like they've definitely put that personality in
me.
>> Really?
>> Yes. They definitely like, I definitely got that personality from them and their hard work. And I feel like the reason
why I did so well, not so well. I don't want to say I did well. Because I struggled a lot to get to where I am now. But I
think my determination and like my fighter side kept me going.
>> You are the top 6 percent of the world. Quite impressive.
>> So, we talked about and you answered the next question I was going to ask. What about family? But you, the stories.
What were the bridges? What helped you get into college and graduate. Like, what were the . . . I asked you earlier what
were the barriers? What were the bridges like? You said AVID was a big bridge.
>> Yes. AVID was definitely a big one. I think my sister was a big one, too. She like paved the path for us to like go.
Because my parents definitely did not want it. Like they didn't quite expect anything of us. They just wanted us to do
well in school. And that was kind of it.
>> And she graduated, right?
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>> Yes. She graduated. She graduated from UCLA. She got her Master's and stuff. She's doing well. Like all of us are
going pretty well. We're pretty happy. My parents are great. I tell them all the time they are very lucky. [Laughs]. But
she knows she paved the way. She set the standards and stuff for us. And, like, I didn't. I definitely received help from
her. Because she kind of knew how the UC system worked. And she would read over my papers and stuff to make sure
it was okay to submit. But definitely AVID. AVID was a big part of my success.
>> Were those teachers high school teachers?
>> Yes. So, my teachers that I had, they were high school teachers. And they actually taught other classes. I think my,
the one at West Campus, her name was Mrs. Fields [phonetic] and she taught, I think she taught English. And then she
taught AVID as well. Because AVID is not, there aren't many classes. Like I think for my year, there were only two
classes of AVID. And so there's probably like maybe, I want to say, like, a total of 50 of us, maybe less than 50 that
graduated in 2009 for AVID. And so, and then for East Campus, I had for the rest of the three years, I had Kilpack
[phonetic] who I call. She's the coach for tennis. And then she taught AVID. And I think she's like the main person. I'm
not sure if she's still there actually. I haven't talked to her in a while. But she's the main person. And they're very
selective in like who they bring in as AVID teachers because they want to make sure like the teachers are going to be
able to really be there for the students. I'm not sure exactly what they look for. But it's just like the students. Like there
is the specific group that they look for I think. Because they didn't accept any really like the top students at our high
school. They didn't like the valedictorian and stuff. They didn't accept the students who did really well. I think they
probably accepted the people who like had potential to do well, were like kind of in the middle, and just to help them
like get there, up there too. I think there was their main focus. I'm not sure if it changed now. But I think that's how it
was when I was in school. But yes, they actually showed us, I think, a lot of people in there were like, you know, there
is more than just Fresno State. There's like these other UC schools. There are other CSC too.
>> Recording this. Okay. Great. Now you're part of the campus thing. The Lao-American-Asian. [inaudible] usually.
>> Yes. [Inaudible].
>> Did you, this sometimes happens, but did you have any community support going to college at all?
>> No. I did not. Yes. There weren't that many Laotian people at Central, actually. I think for my year, there was
probably one other Laotian person that I knew of. And there is just a small amount of us. Small, I think majority were
Mah [phonetic] people. But I didn't really have community support. I wasn't really involved in the community. And I
think the program, the organization, just was barely brought up not so long ago. And so I know there are like other
organizations in Fresno, you know, Sum Sup [phonetic].
>> Yes. Sum Sup [phonetic] and.
>> Sum Sup, yes.
>> Yes. But I didn't know of those. And I didn't of those and I didn't hear about those. And my parents like, very
involved in the community. Although, they own the shop and stuff, but they are involved in like the temple community.
>> Are they Buddhist?
>> Yes. And so it's like very different. But, yes.
>> Any cross ethnic community> Any Lao and Cambodia? Because they're both Buddhist? But is there any going on or
no?
>> Not really. Like the only time that they mix would be the monks. We'll get visiting monks from the Cambodian
temple that comes to ours. Or like, we have some of our monks that go to visit their temple. And then they'll lead
ceremonies and stuff there. Because the chant is the same. Even though it's different. The chant is the same but, yes, we
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don't really have a cross, really.
>> So, this the last part, which is the fun part. We're really trying to improve Southeast Asians, such as yourself,
particularly for your graduation. I'm so down the line, what do you want at colleges. What do you want them to have to
be more inviting? Well, you're actually successful but for the ones who are not successful. For example, do you want
smaller classes? Do you want more co-ethnic professors? All this. And then, wait, if you want a workshop, what
workshops do you want to get people to graduate? More of this more of that? And then at the end, I'll ask you what is
your advice to third and fourth generations after you? It doesn't have to be Southeast Asian but South Asians. And then
my last question is what questions do you think I should ask anything else from a volunteer or anything else? I guess
we'll start, smaller classes. Make a difference. No? No difference? Yes or no.
>> I believe so. Because I've been in the big lectures that intro classes with like, I don't even know how many hundreds.
>> Hundreds?
>> Yes. And it does make a difference as to a smaller class. Yes. It does make a difference for smaller classes. I feel like
the teacher is more, like, they're able to pay attention to you. You know you get picked on, called on. But that's how you
learn. You know.
>> Co-ethnic professors. Make a difference or no? More co-ethnics? More Asian professors?
>> Yes. I believe they do. Yes. I want to say they do. Because I feel like as an Asian, like, you can relate more. If you . .
. I don't know. Because there's studies about like how the same ethnic groups, like the individuals, they kind of become
a click because that's what they're familiar with. Or you can see that similarity, right. And so, I feel like it would be but
if we get to have more Asian professors. At my law school there are no Asian professors. And so, it's very different. I'm
not saying, oh, my professor. They're very good professors, you know. But it's like I said, I definitely have a struggle
right now in law school because there's no there's no support like there's yes, there's days where I feel very beat. And I
tell my friend, and she's just like oh, this is how you pave the way. And because there is no one that really has paved the
way for me, yet. And so I can't ask them questions. Like, how do you do this or how do you do that? Like, you know,
and so it's just very difficult. I would like to see more Asian professors.
>> Co-ethnic classmates? Would that make more difference? More Asians? And, also, co-ethnic clubs?
>> Yes. I think both would. Like I mentioned before, you know. It's just what you're familiar with. And I think it's
probably easier to approach someone who you are . . . who you can see that, you know, maybe like a similar
background. Or like maybe we're not the same type of Asian but still there's still a lot of similarities there.
>> Great. Workshops? What workshops do you want on campus that would make it, what workshops do you want?
More positive experience I guess. Is there something you want that you want to see? You talked about you said you
weren't prepared in the chem classes. Did you want a chem workshop? Did you want [inaudible].
>> I think more workshops? I'm not sure necessarily. I think more so, like, meet up groups.
>> Meet up groups?
>> Like, if that makes sense. Not necessarily like specifically like, you are working on a specific topic, or whatever. But
more meet up groups, maybe in the same field that you want to get into. So that you can ask for help. It's a connection,
like, are you going to medical school? Oh, I know this person who, you know, we talked and stuff and we have the same
background. Right? And ask them, feel more free to ask them, like questions that you might not want to ask someone
else. Right? And then, I think.
>> Anything else?
>> I'm just, I'm trying, I think I may have to come back to that one. Because I'm trying to think of workshops and I'm
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not, college workshops?
>> Did you want a writing or math or science.
>> Writing is very important. I feel like if it were from what I heard there's not a lot of strong writers in the Central
Valley. And so, I think writing, definitely, will take a person a long way, you know. And I think maybe interview
workshops. I feel like, when I go into interviews, and I've been in many interviews, you can always improve. And so, I
feel like, you know. Interview workshops, resume workshops.
>> Okay. Resume workshops?
>> Yes.
>> Specifically for Southeast Asians or in general. Okay.
>> Your friend is right. You are a pave maker or a path maker. And so, probably the third and fourth generation will be
easier because of you and your struggles.
>> I hope so.
>> Because we do have somewhat of a high drop out rate, not actually just Southeast Asian men but in general.
Minority men in general are dropping out, like African-American men, Latino men, they're coming but we can't help
them somehow? So last part is just well, before I ask you anything else, I want to add. What is your advice for a third
and fourth generation, let's say minorities or Southeast Asians in general. What advice to you have for them? Because
I'm sure they will struggle. They will come 15 years after you but I'm sure they'll struggle, as well. What advice do you
give them? Because particularly they will want to drop out.
>> I want to say just keep going. I feel like that's the, and just kind of don't forget your roots. Especially, I'm assuming
it'll be like their grandparent's roots? Right? Like how, you know, our parents came here. I feel like if my parents story,
my family story, definitely helped me to realize this is how hard they work. I want to work hard for them. You know,
it's, they need to find that motivation to keep going.
>> So find the motivation? Okay.
>> Yes. And so, sometimes it helps to just kind of look back at your roots for that motivation.
>> And then is there something you want to recommend that you regret. You wish you could tell them that if they go to
college right now?
>> Ask for help.
>> Ask for help? Okay
>> Ask for help. I feel like a lot of people are, especially, minorities are afraid to ask for help, you know. And I feel,
like, don't be afraid to ask. I would say don't be afraid to ask for help that, sometimes you need help to be successful.
You know. Like, you need that hand to guide you and I feel like, yes. Just do whatever it takes to get to wherever you
want to go.
>> So there are people?
>> Yes. And don't be shy and don't be afraid to ask for help. There will be people that will want to help you. They're
waiting for you to ask. Just don't be afraid to ask for help.
>> That's great advice. Anything else?
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>> I think that's it. Yes. Talk to me. I'll be alive still. [Laugh].
>> You'll be alive, probably.
>> If you need support here.
>> Thank you so much for this interview. For Southeast Asian the Successful. Turn it off.
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