Kai Her interview
Item
Title
Kai Her interview
Creator
Her, Kai
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_00009
extracted text
>> Okay. Hello, welcome to our Fresno State new archive called South Successful Southwest Asian American Voices.
Thank you so much for consenting to be interviewed. Can you give me your name and can you spell it?
>> Yeah. My name is Kai Her. K-A-I. Last name H-E-R.
>> Great.
>> Can you give me verbal permission to record you for our Fresno State oral archive?
>> Yes, I give you permission.
>> Great. Okay, I guess. I guess we can start. What is your gender?
>> I am male.
>> What is your birth year? Do not tell me the date. But just tell me the year.
>> 1994.
>> What is your undergraduate and major?
>> It was biology.
>> What is your generation in the United States? Are you a first generation? One point five, second or third generation
in the United States?
>> I would say first generation.
>> Okay. Were you born here?
>> Yes. Well my parents were.
>> Oh. So, I think that makes you a second generation.
>> Is it?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> I think so.
>> I get confused when talking to people. I get confused on their definitions. I am not too sure.
>> Yeah. I think it.
>> Yeah.
>> It like depends on like if you were born here I guess. Anyway, yeah it is like a weird combination. Some people
come here at like aged 15. And they are the one point five. But because they were not born here, they are not second
generation.
>> Okay.
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>> What is your mom and dad's highest education?
>> Ah man, I should have asked them. I would say no more than like. They probably did not even finish high school. So
some kind of like high school education.
>> Okay.
>> From my memory, I would say somewhere along that line.
>> Okay. What is your family composition? Which means, what? How many brothers and sisters do you have?
>> Oh. I have four brothers and then seven sisters.
>> Oh wow. Okay. What is your GPA?
>> For undergrad?
>> Uh-huh.
>> Probably 2.9.
>> And then what is your ultimately degree aspiration? I mean was it a BA? Uh-huh.
>> Well, right now, I am currently in pharmacy school. I just finished my first year.
>> Impressive.
>> So. I guess PharmD would be the height I am trying to get to.
>> Oh goodness. Doctor in pharmacy. Very impressive. Excellent. Social economic status growing up -- were you
working class, middle class, affluent rich?
>> Probably working class.
>> Okay. What high school did you go to?
>> Clovis East Side School.
>> And then for the, was it a public or private high school?
>> It was public.
>> And then, what kind of, what kind of demographics went to your high school?
>> I would say it was more diverse. You have a good amount of Southeast Asians, a lot of Hmong, a lot of Hispanics.
Not so much African-Americans. But you know you have some Caucasians, as well. But it is more diverse compared to
the other [Inaudible] schools.
>> Mhm. What.
>> So.
>> Okay. What ethnic group did you hang out with the most?
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>> Hmong.
>> Okay. Why do Hmong go to college?
>> I would say one because they are forced to go.
>> Okay.
>> Two -- because they cannot find a job. Or three -- because you know self motivation.
>> Okay. Do. Thinking back at Clovis East and also your college, where di you go to undergrad?
>> I went to University of the Pacific in Stockton.
>> Oh great. Okay. Thinking back at your college undergrad years and also your high school years, do Hmong students
have close relationships with administrators and faculty?
>> I would say not really. I mean, for high school I would say. Because you only meet was like. At Clovis East there
was only one like Hmong counselor. And then [inaudible], you only meet with him like you know whenever you go in
to like change classes. But then you do not interact them much other than that.
>> Why do you think that is so?
>> I think just because high school was too, is not needed because in high school it kind of runs itself already. So, you
[inaudible] much interaction with faculty or like administrators.
>> What about University of Pacific?
>> Oh. I would say yes more often because that is the time where you want, you know majors, people really, really
change their major a lot and you want to know more. And that is where you would talk to your advisor more often. So, I
think for a college, you should, well I think you should probably. You probably know your advisor much better than like
you know your high school counselors and stuff.
>> Good point.
>> And also because you know in college it is more, I guess more. Like, you are always told more you know get to
know your professors or people because [inaudible] after that find jobs and stuff like that. But when it is high school, it
is like you know [inaudible] college applications. And then that is it. But then you can still do fine without that
[inaudible]. Depending on where you go to.
>> Mhm. Good point.
>> So yeah.
>> Thinking back at your undergrad career, what makes a good professor? And what makes a bad professor?
>> I would say if they give you like. You know, [inaudible]. I would say most professors that have like open door
policy or like their your know office is open, come in any time. But I say for me, the good professors are the ones that
you know actually know your name. They talk to you on a personal level, not just about school. And then, they ask, they
ask about kind of like [inaudible] not like personal life, but like you know how is, how is college life and everything?
And then if you need help, they will always. You know, if they are busy now, they will make an appointment where you
can come back later to talk about what you need help with. And stuff like that. You know because in a lecture hall, they
have to get through their materials within a certain amount of time. So, you know, I think it is not the best time to really
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charge them on what makes a good professor. I think it is outside of class.
>> Outside of class.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay, what makes a bad professor?
>> Well, I say, like. I always [inaudible] when I like go to the office, office hours. And then. You know not every
student is able to understand certain, you know like topics very easily. So, I think at some point they just give up on the
student. I think that has happened to me like a few times. Like on certain [inaudible]. Because my, you know, you
cannot get everything right away. So, I think it is giving up. And then also, also like the tone. How they talk to you.
Kind of like, like you are irritating them or not. Just stuff like that.
>> Good point. Have you ever. What is your favorite subject? What is your least favorite subject?
>> I do not like anything to do with English and writing [laughter]. Favorite, I would not say I have a favorite. I would
just say like I prefer science classes over everything else.
>> Oh okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Interesting. Have you ever been mentored?
>> Can you describe your definition of mentor?
>> Has anyone ever.
>> And to what level?
>> Any level. Has anyone ever given you advice? In college?
>> So I mean like, at basically like workshops and stuff. But not like, not like I personally went to or for a mentor.
>> Well any type of advice is mentoring.
>> I mean like I used to meet my advisor in undergrad. Just to know how he does it, is like you go over the class you
need to take and then he recommends you know, he gives his personal experience on like you know this professor with
this class. Or this combination of classes you should not do. Obviously my advisor did a very good job.
>> Okay.
>> I was also in, in a SUCCESS TRIO program.
>> Ah that is great! Oh my gosh I am writing that right now. Can you speak more of that, please?
>> So I did not join until my sophomore year [inaudible] because you know the budget and there was enough students
room. I had to wait until like you know the college graduates and then I will be able to get in. you know, like they have
a lot of workshops and I always attend workshops. And then.
>> That is deep mentoring. Those workshops are not free.
>> Well they. Well they held like monthly workshops.
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>> Oh my goodness that is excellent. What were the workshops on?
>> It varies from like you know that school, like if I am financing stuff. And there is stress relieving and.
>> Oh wow.
>> Stuff like that. It was very good.
>> That is excellent.
>> I enjoyed them.
>> That is really good actually, very useful.
>> Yeah.
>> Great. Thinking back, Kai, and kind of in your high school years, did the teachers have a high expectation for you?
A low expectation of you? Or did they have a neutral expectation of you?
>> As individual? Or like.
>> As individual.
>> Students around like a lot of students.
>> Probably both. Like as an individual and also your ethnic group. So you went to East Clovis. So what do you think
of Kai's individual? And what do you think of Southeast Asians as a group?
>> For me, I took AP classes, so I feel like you know if you are a teacher teaching AP classes they are already
motivated to put, they are already motivated to like pursue higher education. So, I think those teachers teaching AP
courses or like honors courses, they would kind of like. They will be, I think they will be more [inaudible] personal, like
talking wise you know, like just. Because I remember, like a lot. Because they are a lot smaller you know. So you have
more [inaudible] to talk with everyone. And then [inaudible] because in AP courses the teacher wants everyone to pass.
So you spend a lot of time together working on problems and stuff. So I would say they would, I guess they have a
higher expectation because like I said, you know everyone is trying to pursue higher education. So I think the teachers
kind of see that.
>> Excellent. Thinking back at your life, were there any notable depictions of your ethnic group in the media?
>> I mean like. On social media you can see like these you know people posts about like you know calling stuff outright
and you know like all [inaudible]. Like all these Southeast Asians and stuff. I mean that is the most I see.
>> Yes.
>> And you know most people are like pretty low, which is understandable.
>> Okay.
>> Along with like the other Southeast Asians.
>> Great. So you got it through social media?
>> Yeah.
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>> What about. Switching gears a little bit. Did you think that you were properly prepared for college coming from
Clovis East?
>> I would say... Well I would say it depends on the college because I went, you know UOP was a private college
compared to Fresno State. But. I mean. I was not prepared. I would say, the only thing I was. I think prepared is kind of
like on you. If you. Because for me the hard part for me transitioning was just knowing how UOP, like how they ran
their things. So that is part of the hardest part. But like preparedness, I think just like the first week of school I would
say, everyone they just go over the syllabus and then what the expectations and what you need. And then that should be
more than enough than. Like that is all you need to know.
>> Okay.
>> So preparedness, I would say. I mean it is just on you. If you like. Because when you register for college, you are
given like a syllabus already beforehand. So, I mean it should be you to want to like prepare for yourself. But I do not
think high school really could do much. Because like it every school is different. And it is. You just want to know how
that school is run.
>> Okay. Good point. Thinking about preparing, when you went to school, did you think that you had any barriers, such
as financial or cultural or structural barriers that impeded your graduation? Did you graduate in four years?
>> Yeah. I graduated in four years.
>> Wow that is impressive. Did anything impede you? Did you work at all? Did you take care of children?
>> So, for me, finance was a big issue, especially because it was just private university. Student loans. I did also work. I
worked my sophomore year until my senior year at the school library.
>> Oh great. Uh-huh.
>> Which I would think for a student, if you were to work the best place would be at school.
>> Okay.
>> I mean, [inaudible]. But I would really recommend students to work at school because you are already at school
already. And also like working at school, they know that you are a student so they do not really give you that much
workload. So, that is what I notice.
>> That is a great tip. That is an excellent great tip to tell other students. Thank you. Did you have any other barriers do
you think of that you went through going through college? Like for instance, do you think your life would easier if you
were a female gendered?
>> That is hard to say when I am. Like, I say school for college I do not think it really matters much just because. I
mean for UOP there was more females than males. So even now in like my pharmacy class, there is more females than
makes too.
>> Oh interesting.
>> So, I would not say gender. I mean, I would say maybe for like the working life, yes. Based on you know society and
how you, and what you hear, what you see. But then for school, I would not say it should not matter.
>> Okay. What are the cultural expectations of a Hmong male in higher education? Are you expected to go to college?
>> Well, for, I would say from what I have seen. Because males are more expected to you know being the one to have a
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decent job because you are the one that is going to bring in a wife to your family and have kids. And you have to be the
one to care, to, you know support them. So, I would not say, education is really pushed. But I mean parents they will not
really say [inaudible] for school.
>> Okay.
>> Because they know. Because they know like, you know [inaudible] get a job to support you know a family and even
your parents too.
>> Good point. Did I miss anything of asking any other barriers that you might have experienced in college? I mean you
were very, you are very successful to do it in four years. That is actually quite rare.
>> Well because. Well the thing is UOP is like, just like, very, very, you know private universities are a lot smaller. So
you do not have to fight for your classes as much. And even if the classes are full, you can still easily get an override
because there are like so much seats.
>> Oh wow.
>> You know. So, that is what I said, that is one reason why I chose you know to go away from Fresno State because
like I said you know, you seeing like the five, six years the [inaudible] their classes are so filled and you cannot get it.
>> That is our norms. You know six years.
>> Yeah.
>> Wow.
>> Yeah. So.
>> Excellent. Can you. So Mr. Kai you are very unique in that A -- you graduated in four years. B -- You have a four
year degree, right? You graduated. And also you are a male. What is it about your personality that made you succeed
when you know some other people for whatever reason in Fresno or in the world? You know only one percent of the
world has a BA. So why did you make it when other people struggled and ultimately did not finish?
>> I just think it is just self discipline honestly. Because I have talked to like. Well I have talked to all of my friends
because [inaudible] Fresno. And I talked to all them from [Inaudible] State. And then you know, we understand that you
know you need to finish school, get a good job. But then in the end, they do not study. They do not, you know they are
late for [inaudible] and all that stuff. So you know that gets pushed back. And then their classes gets pushed back too as
well. So, I have seen. They just really self motivation and like how seriously you take things because.
>> Well why are you so motivated? Like I do not understand.
>> Like, for me, I like to. Well, I think it starts with your own self. How you see yourself. And then just pushing
yourself because people always, like people always have the thing. I guess goals myself, like you know I want to
achieve successes and that. But then they do not do it. Like, I am all grown up. I tell myself this is how I want to be like.
And then I want to do that. And then. You know, I want to talk the talk and walk the walk. [Inaudible] you know, I want
to be that person. For me that is like, that is just kind of pushing me all the way to you know moving out of town, not
knowing anyone, meeting new people. Building connections. Getting out of my comfort zone. Getting you know I grew
up just hanging out with Hmong people. But then I went up to Stockton, you know I had to meet other ethnic groups and
stuff. And I liked it.
>> That is very impressive.
>> So.
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>> So you have kind of an adventurous personality?
>> I try to because I feel like, like, it is more like how you see life you know. Life is like I do not want to just be home
all the time. Like, I want to explore and get out, you know. So that is kind of how I want to [inaudible].
>> Impressive. Thinking back, is this your personality that you had in third grade?
>> What was that?
>> Is this. Your personality that you have currently, like this adventurous, you kind of have a lot of grit and you finish
what you say. Is this is your same personality you had when you were a third grader? Or sixth grader? Or ninth grader?
Have you always had this personality?
>> I would say, maybe middle school.
>> Middle school.
>> Because elementary, I feel like it is more. Well elementary I was more having fun. I was like riding bikes with
friends and stuff. And then middle school was when like, like oh dang seven classes. You know. And then like. You
know elementary like the. I did okay. But then like it was not really challenging in the elementary compared to like you
know middle school is the real thing, where like whoa textbooks now. You know you got to read from textbooks and
stuff. And so I think middle school and beginning of freshman year kind of where I developed my personality. Yeah.
>> Because you could have easily gone to Fresno State.
>> I could have gone to Fresno State, yeah.
>> But you chose the adventure.
>> Yeah.
>> Anything other. Any other reasons why you are successful, do you think?
>> I cannot really give credit to anyone because like you know my parents were just neutral. They were just like you
want to go to school, go to school. If you do not, then you know just find work. Because they do not want to. They are
not the very pressuring type. You know [inaudible] undergrad, they were forced to go to a certain major because of their
parent. So, I was to say. I mean, I do not want to sound selfish. But like I will say it is mostly just me you know.
>> Okay.
>> Everything that I have done was like because of me.
>> And also, you want. You did not stop at the undergrad level. You are going to be a doctor soon. A doctor of
pharmacy. So that, you know it is like point zero one percent of the world. What motivates you to become a doctor?
>> I would say. Well it was more of an undergrad, I was not really. You know, like a lot of other students, you were not
too sure what you really wanted to do after you are done graduating. You know, pursuing higher education or like just
work. And I knew that I, you know, I find out bachelors are not that good compared to like you know society. So, I kind
of wanted to pursue higher education. But then I did not have that much experience because I did not. I was just
working at the school library. And you know, my clubs are just like social clubs and stuff. But being forced to like
realize. And then I remember walking down [inaudible] building and then you know people post stuff on the wall. And
you always ignore them. So, then I start reading them this one day. I just saw a green paper and it was like you know
[inaudible] at a pharmacy. And then, okay, you know. I am in my junior year. You know, I need to decide what I want
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to do. So then, I took the opportunity and I [inaudible] the pharmacist and then. She also [inaudible] she had a lot of
students that came to [inaudible] for experience. I mean, [inaudible] for experience.
>> Yeah.
>> So, I volunteered for a year and then I was like this is the only experience I have, so I am just going to. I mean, I
enjoyed it too. Working, watching a pharmacy. But then I went with that. so I feel like if it was not for that ultimately I
would not know where I would be at as of right now. But I would say [inaudible] need to get. You get experience
because you know experience right. For me, I see experience over more as a degree. I mean I feel that is pretty true as of
right now.
>> I agree.
>> So. Plus you know experience you get to see. You get to see if you like it or not. So, that is part of [inaudible]. When
I saw that paper and volunteer at a pharmacy because alright I liked it. You know a pharmacology degree I had like
most of the pre-req's for you know pharmacy school. So it is like right away I did not end up taking extra classes. So
that is how I was able to just like apply. And then I got in and I just started right away after I graduated.
>> That is so impressive. You are. So it kind of seems. It seems of you took the onition to volunteer and I am hearing
that volunteering had a great effect on you. But what gave you the confidence to actually volunteer? To go somewhere
new?
>> [Inaudible] you know what am I going to do. I need to do something. And sometimes, sometimes you just got to do
things. Like alright, we will see how it goes. Because I mean you lose nothing. If you do not like it, just do not
[inaudible] or something, you do not like it is, just tell them hey it is not working out for me. And then...
>> Okay.
>> Just find something else.
>> Did you, did you drive there? How did you even get transportation there to volunteer?
>> I had a car and the pharmacy was actually down the street from my school.
>> Okay.
>> So, even for like a lot of my friends that were volunteering, if they did not have a car you could just like a ride a bike
or something.
>> Okay. Wow.
>> So, yeah.
>> Did you guys all get into pharmacy school? Did some of you get in?
>> The ones that I really talked to, they got in to. Yeah, one got into pharmacy school in Elk Grove. One got into the
one in Stockton. One got into the one in Toro. And then, yeah. So, the ones I was really close to, they all got in.
>> So it seemed like you surrounded yourself with like, like minded people who are just as motivated as you. Do you
think that had any effect that you know these people that got into pharmacy school and you also got? Did you have a lot
of friends and did your friends help you get into school?
>> I would say it does play a role. But then you know I said at the end of the day it is still on you. But I mean you do
share ideas, like. I remember [inaudible] this one friend. She was very sure, she was struggling to get into like the
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schools [inaudible]. I told her you know keep trying [inaudible] this month. When you apply to each, call them back
maybe like a week after just so they can pull you pull and then look at your application. Because every year there are so
many applications in there. If you do not call and put your application up front, they might not even get to your
application at all.
>> Wow. So, I love how you. Oh go on.
>> No that was it.
>> No, I love how you mentored yourself. You mentor your other friends by telling them to do that. How did you have
the confidence to just give people advice? You seem to be very giving.
>> I, I always grew up around friends. And then like I, I have, I have always heard you know growing up family over
everything. Family this. Family that. Friends come and go. Growing up [inaudible], even in the third and fourth grade, I
have learned [inaudible]. I never really grew up around cousins or stuff just because how my family was. I do not know
why. But I never really got to know my cousins that well.
>> Okay.
>> But then I had friends. And then like they just, they just became family. Even at a young age. Like, I would
sleepover, they would always you know. If I did not have much, they would kind of fill in the gap for me. And if they
did not have much, I would fill in the gap for them.
>> Wow.
>> Yeah. [Inaudible] across this whole city at a young age is bad. But we were kids, you know. And like, riding bikes in
like fourth grade all the way to like eighth grade and stuff. And then you just, you meet people and then even to this day,
a lot of people back at UOP I will ask all of them you know how many friends do you still keep in touch with from high
school. And they all are like only one or two. And I am like really? I am have a good 10 people that I am very close
with.
>> Oh wow.
>> Even to this day, like I [inaudible] you need to [inaudible] the friendship.
>> Yes.
>> I have always been a. I have always been a good friend for like friend people. That is just how it is supposed to be.
And then that is why like I am, I am always. I do not mind talking to friends. Like mentoring them. Well I do not mentor
because to mentor but that is like, I feel like I need to tell them like maybe this is where you are struggling and then I
just help them out.
>> And then do they help you out too? Like your 10 friends that you are friend with from high school, did they go to
college? Did they go to Fresno State? Or U Pacific?
>> Some are at City, some are at State, some are just working. Yeah, so you get the whole. Like I get all three types.
And I just tell them you know if you want to work. You know they are like school is not everyone. I tell them, you do
not want to go to school. You are just working. You know I just ask you know later on maybe go towards a job that is
like in accounting or state because those are the best you can do without like any degree or anything. But they have like
benefits and stuff you know.
>> Great.
>> So I was like if you do not go to school that is fine. But then you know do not be working at a warehouse the whole
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life, like go work for a county job or like a state job, you know. They are going to be the best that you get.
>> Excellent.
>> So you have given a lot of advice. You know, your friendship. You are adventurous. You have grit. You give advice.
You yourself volunteered. Thinking back at your school or your community, do you think the community at all helped
you go to college? For instance, we have a whole Hmong B-Boy archive now, where these Hmong B-Boys. Now they
are in their 30's, mid 30's. They are saying how because they were dancing that helped them in school. Did you have any
community kind of environment that like pushed school on you? Or higher education?
>> Well I mean I told about my Hmong clubs in high school and undergrads. But then I would say it was more for like
social.
>> Okay.
>> But then, I would not. I mean, I would not really say they pushed me because I have been [inaudible] some people
that are in the Hmong club, they were just got, they just got to go to work and stuff. You know. So, I would not really
say I personally had an impact on the community.
>> Okay. What about religion? Did religion help you at all in the higher education? Or no affect?
>> I would say no affect. Because for my family we actually converted to Mormon.
>> Oh okay.
>> Yeah way back then. So I grew up as a Mormon Hmongster [phonetic] or Hmong kid. So, you know church did not.
I mean church did not really say much. I mean [inaudible] do good in school and be good kid. And other than that, not
really [inaudible].
>> Okay. What about. Looking back at. Was your, your college was a liberal arts?
>> No, it was biology.
>> A what?
>> No I am talking about the type of college/university you went to.
>> Oh the college.
>> Was it a liberal arts? Or?
>> Oh I think it was, it was some kind of Christian based college.
>> Oh okay. Okay.
>> But then it was not that extreme, like you would. Like other schools. Yeah.
>> Oh interesting. Looking back at your college career, you were successful because pharmacy school is extremely hard
to get in to. Very hard to get in to. So very successful. Did you want smaller classes? Or did you have smaller classes?
Or you that you thought oh that was good?
>> I think smaller classes way, way much better.
>> Okay.
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>> Just because [inaudible] interaction with the professor and then even the students too because it is like. If you really
do, like talk to other students and then you really do learn from them because there is only one professor you know. And
they are going around helping other students, you cannot just get away from him. You got to. You just ask other
students and they teach you and you teach them and then you learn. So that is why I say smaller is a lot better. Because
bigger people are kind of like. The bigger. I think in the bigger classes people just have some friends [inaudible]. But
they are in their own click and so they do not really want to associate with you. But in small classes you [inaudible].
>> Okay. What about professors? Did you want more Hmong professors? Or no difference?
>> I do not think it really matters because you know it is just teaching [inaudible] their skill level and preference on how
to teach. Their style.
>> What about more Hmong students?
>> I would not really. I mean. What do you mean by that? Like what I prefer?
>> Right. At Fresno State 50 percent of the Asians are of Hmong's decent.
>> Oh okay. I feel like that is kind of one of the downfalls for a lot of us. Because they are all friends already. And then
they are kind of like if one is not motivating, then like they are all become non-motivated because they are like oh if I
am going to go to class and oh you are the one. You are the one friend I know in that class, you are not going to go then
I am not going to go either you know.
>> Oh.
>> So, I would, I would kind of say kind of it could backfire. But at the same time, oh you are going, I am going to go
too.
>> Okay. What about more ethnic clubs? More Hmong clubs? Or no difference?
>> I have always seen that as a social thing.
>> Okay.
>> But I mean you never know who you are going to meet, so I. I am not against having like those kinds of clubs.
>> And then.
>> It helps.
>> And thinking back at your college SUCCESS workshops is there is any SUCCESS workshop that you thought was
very good and that you wanted more of? Are there [inaudible].
>> Well, I really like the grad workshop because you know college is all a learning experience. You learn how to do
everything yourself. Like all the financial aid stuff. And all these classes and stuff. How to add classes and everything. I
was just. I was just self taught you know. They say oh go to the photo inside for your school and click here, click here.
And then yeah it was all self learn. And then, so you know, like [inaudible] kind of show you how to apply for you
know Fresno State or Fresno City and other colleges. So I like that. But then you know, I go alright grad school you
know is a thing for [inaudible] and different with the requirements you know. But the workshop really helped me with
that. And then also how to. Field trips to through SUCCESS. We went to the [inaudible], I forget what it was called. But
it was like a day for like to get to know other schools and what they offer.
>> Oh wow.
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>> Like graduate schools.
>> Did you. In high school, did you go through the Avid program?
>> No, I did not do that.
>> Oh. Okay.
>> I just personally did not like it because I feel like it was way too much work needed. And then, and then [inaudible].
I am like that is hard enough.
>> Okay. Okay.
>> I mean, I never really experienced Avid, so I cannot really say. But from my friends said, they said they liked it.
>> Okay.
>> Because you know it kept them organized. But that had big old binders, which I do not like carrying lots of heavy
stuff.
>> Okay. So, Mr. Kai you are in fact approaching the top one percent of the earth. Maybe less than one percent. And so
you are a very successful Southeast Asian Member in Fresno. Can you give any. And this is my last question actually.
And if you would like to volunteer anything, feel free. Can you give any advice to the second, third, fourth generation
who will listen to your story? Your very successful story. And can you give them any advice to keep going to graduate
high school, I mean college? Can you give them any advice?
>> Hmm. I feel like every [inaudible] that like you know, even like. I tell my friends now, you know they get frustrated
and then they [inaudible] and you got to take advantage of that. [Inaudible] so I was like it is more of a, probably it
means one things because you know I pay my loans. And then I thought I alright I got finish because I got a loan I got to
pay it off soon. So I think for them [inaudible] you know get their free financial aid, they are not paying anything. It is
just given to them, so they do not take, they do not take it serious. So that is why I said the self motivation comes into
play. You need to be. You need to know who you are and build your, build your character [inaudible] type of grit and
attitude. Just be really motivated to pick something, go towards it. You do not like it, that is fine you have time to
readjust yourself and then go on. So, you just need to. You cannot always be comfortable. You have to always be you
know advancing forward. Because like, you know in this life, in society, you know school. Like you know elementary,
high school is like -- those are like the training wheels you know. After that, you are going to be in the real world. So
you need to really. You just have to have kind of the reality check as well. Because I have met a lot of people in like
undergrad, like they are coming that seems to come from a privileged family.
>> Right.
>> And it is like you do know how to do some simple stuff, like car stuff or like the house stuff. And like [inaudible]
say really like, you really need to build yourself to like be ready for the world because. You know, you are going to be
living by yourself one day, you know.
>> Right. That is excellent advice. That is excellent advice. Thank you. Your story is so inspiring. And I have. I know
that students listening to this will take your advice very deeply. Is there anything else you want to add? IF not, I am
going to finish this interview and turn off my recorder.
>> I do not have much to say because I pretty said everything. Yeah, that should be it.
>> Okay. Thank you so much.
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Thank you so much for consenting to be interviewed. Can you give me your name and can you spell it?
>> Yeah. My name is Kai Her. K-A-I. Last name H-E-R.
>> Great.
>> Can you give me verbal permission to record you for our Fresno State oral archive?
>> Yes, I give you permission.
>> Great. Okay, I guess. I guess we can start. What is your gender?
>> I am male.
>> What is your birth year? Do not tell me the date. But just tell me the year.
>> 1994.
>> What is your undergraduate and major?
>> It was biology.
>> What is your generation in the United States? Are you a first generation? One point five, second or third generation
in the United States?
>> I would say first generation.
>> Okay. Were you born here?
>> Yes. Well my parents were.
>> Oh. So, I think that makes you a second generation.
>> Is it?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> I think so.
>> I get confused when talking to people. I get confused on their definitions. I am not too sure.
>> Yeah. I think it.
>> Yeah.
>> It like depends on like if you were born here I guess. Anyway, yeah it is like a weird combination. Some people
come here at like aged 15. And they are the one point five. But because they were not born here, they are not second
generation.
>> Okay.
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>> What is your mom and dad's highest education?
>> Ah man, I should have asked them. I would say no more than like. They probably did not even finish high school. So
some kind of like high school education.
>> Okay.
>> From my memory, I would say somewhere along that line.
>> Okay. What is your family composition? Which means, what? How many brothers and sisters do you have?
>> Oh. I have four brothers and then seven sisters.
>> Oh wow. Okay. What is your GPA?
>> For undergrad?
>> Uh-huh.
>> Probably 2.9.
>> And then what is your ultimately degree aspiration? I mean was it a BA? Uh-huh.
>> Well, right now, I am currently in pharmacy school. I just finished my first year.
>> Impressive.
>> So. I guess PharmD would be the height I am trying to get to.
>> Oh goodness. Doctor in pharmacy. Very impressive. Excellent. Social economic status growing up -- were you
working class, middle class, affluent rich?
>> Probably working class.
>> Okay. What high school did you go to?
>> Clovis East Side School.
>> And then for the, was it a public or private high school?
>> It was public.
>> And then, what kind of, what kind of demographics went to your high school?
>> I would say it was more diverse. You have a good amount of Southeast Asians, a lot of Hmong, a lot of Hispanics.
Not so much African-Americans. But you know you have some Caucasians, as well. But it is more diverse compared to
the other [Inaudible] schools.
>> Mhm. What.
>> So.
>> Okay. What ethnic group did you hang out with the most?
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>> Hmong.
>> Okay. Why do Hmong go to college?
>> I would say one because they are forced to go.
>> Okay.
>> Two -- because they cannot find a job. Or three -- because you know self motivation.
>> Okay. Do. Thinking back at Clovis East and also your college, where di you go to undergrad?
>> I went to University of the Pacific in Stockton.
>> Oh great. Okay. Thinking back at your college undergrad years and also your high school years, do Hmong students
have close relationships with administrators and faculty?
>> I would say not really. I mean, for high school I would say. Because you only meet was like. At Clovis East there
was only one like Hmong counselor. And then [inaudible], you only meet with him like you know whenever you go in
to like change classes. But then you do not interact them much other than that.
>> Why do you think that is so?
>> I think just because high school was too, is not needed because in high school it kind of runs itself already. So, you
[inaudible] much interaction with faculty or like administrators.
>> What about University of Pacific?
>> Oh. I would say yes more often because that is the time where you want, you know majors, people really, really
change their major a lot and you want to know more. And that is where you would talk to your advisor more often. So, I
think for a college, you should, well I think you should probably. You probably know your advisor much better than like
you know your high school counselors and stuff.
>> Good point.
>> And also because you know in college it is more, I guess more. Like, you are always told more you know get to
know your professors or people because [inaudible] after that find jobs and stuff like that. But when it is high school, it
is like you know [inaudible] college applications. And then that is it. But then you can still do fine without that
[inaudible]. Depending on where you go to.
>> Mhm. Good point.
>> So yeah.
>> Thinking back at your undergrad career, what makes a good professor? And what makes a bad professor?
>> I would say if they give you like. You know, [inaudible]. I would say most professors that have like open door
policy or like their your know office is open, come in any time. But I say for me, the good professors are the ones that
you know actually know your name. They talk to you on a personal level, not just about school. And then, they ask, they
ask about kind of like [inaudible] not like personal life, but like you know how is, how is college life and everything?
And then if you need help, they will always. You know, if they are busy now, they will make an appointment where you
can come back later to talk about what you need help with. And stuff like that. You know because in a lecture hall, they
have to get through their materials within a certain amount of time. So, you know, I think it is not the best time to really
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charge them on what makes a good professor. I think it is outside of class.
>> Outside of class.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay, what makes a bad professor?
>> Well, I say, like. I always [inaudible] when I like go to the office, office hours. And then. You know not every
student is able to understand certain, you know like topics very easily. So, I think at some point they just give up on the
student. I think that has happened to me like a few times. Like on certain [inaudible]. Because my, you know, you
cannot get everything right away. So, I think it is giving up. And then also, also like the tone. How they talk to you.
Kind of like, like you are irritating them or not. Just stuff like that.
>> Good point. Have you ever. What is your favorite subject? What is your least favorite subject?
>> I do not like anything to do with English and writing [laughter]. Favorite, I would not say I have a favorite. I would
just say like I prefer science classes over everything else.
>> Oh okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Interesting. Have you ever been mentored?
>> Can you describe your definition of mentor?
>> Has anyone ever.
>> And to what level?
>> Any level. Has anyone ever given you advice? In college?
>> So I mean like, at basically like workshops and stuff. But not like, not like I personally went to or for a mentor.
>> Well any type of advice is mentoring.
>> I mean like I used to meet my advisor in undergrad. Just to know how he does it, is like you go over the class you
need to take and then he recommends you know, he gives his personal experience on like you know this professor with
this class. Or this combination of classes you should not do. Obviously my advisor did a very good job.
>> Okay.
>> I was also in, in a SUCCESS TRIO program.
>> Ah that is great! Oh my gosh I am writing that right now. Can you speak more of that, please?
>> So I did not join until my sophomore year [inaudible] because you know the budget and there was enough students
room. I had to wait until like you know the college graduates and then I will be able to get in. you know, like they have
a lot of workshops and I always attend workshops. And then.
>> That is deep mentoring. Those workshops are not free.
>> Well they. Well they held like monthly workshops.
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>> Oh my goodness that is excellent. What were the workshops on?
>> It varies from like you know that school, like if I am financing stuff. And there is stress relieving and.
>> Oh wow.
>> Stuff like that. It was very good.
>> That is excellent.
>> I enjoyed them.
>> That is really good actually, very useful.
>> Yeah.
>> Great. Thinking back, Kai, and kind of in your high school years, did the teachers have a high expectation for you?
A low expectation of you? Or did they have a neutral expectation of you?
>> As individual? Or like.
>> As individual.
>> Students around like a lot of students.
>> Probably both. Like as an individual and also your ethnic group. So you went to East Clovis. So what do you think
of Kai's individual? And what do you think of Southeast Asians as a group?
>> For me, I took AP classes, so I feel like you know if you are a teacher teaching AP classes they are already
motivated to put, they are already motivated to like pursue higher education. So, I think those teachers teaching AP
courses or like honors courses, they would kind of like. They will be, I think they will be more [inaudible] personal, like
talking wise you know, like just. Because I remember, like a lot. Because they are a lot smaller you know. So you have
more [inaudible] to talk with everyone. And then [inaudible] because in AP courses the teacher wants everyone to pass.
So you spend a lot of time together working on problems and stuff. So I would say they would, I guess they have a
higher expectation because like I said, you know everyone is trying to pursue higher education. So I think the teachers
kind of see that.
>> Excellent. Thinking back at your life, were there any notable depictions of your ethnic group in the media?
>> I mean like. On social media you can see like these you know people posts about like you know calling stuff outright
and you know like all [inaudible]. Like all these Southeast Asians and stuff. I mean that is the most I see.
>> Yes.
>> And you know most people are like pretty low, which is understandable.
>> Okay.
>> Along with like the other Southeast Asians.
>> Great. So you got it through social media?
>> Yeah.
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>> What about. Switching gears a little bit. Did you think that you were properly prepared for college coming from
Clovis East?
>> I would say... Well I would say it depends on the college because I went, you know UOP was a private college
compared to Fresno State. But. I mean. I was not prepared. I would say, the only thing I was. I think prepared is kind of
like on you. If you. Because for me the hard part for me transitioning was just knowing how UOP, like how they ran
their things. So that is part of the hardest part. But like preparedness, I think just like the first week of school I would
say, everyone they just go over the syllabus and then what the expectations and what you need. And then that should be
more than enough than. Like that is all you need to know.
>> Okay.
>> So preparedness, I would say. I mean it is just on you. If you like. Because when you register for college, you are
given like a syllabus already beforehand. So, I mean it should be you to want to like prepare for yourself. But I do not
think high school really could do much. Because like it every school is different. And it is. You just want to know how
that school is run.
>> Okay. Good point. Thinking about preparing, when you went to school, did you think that you had any barriers, such
as financial or cultural or structural barriers that impeded your graduation? Did you graduate in four years?
>> Yeah. I graduated in four years.
>> Wow that is impressive. Did anything impede you? Did you work at all? Did you take care of children?
>> So, for me, finance was a big issue, especially because it was just private university. Student loans. I did also work. I
worked my sophomore year until my senior year at the school library.
>> Oh great. Uh-huh.
>> Which I would think for a student, if you were to work the best place would be at school.
>> Okay.
>> I mean, [inaudible]. But I would really recommend students to work at school because you are already at school
already. And also like working at school, they know that you are a student so they do not really give you that much
workload. So, that is what I notice.
>> That is a great tip. That is an excellent great tip to tell other students. Thank you. Did you have any other barriers do
you think of that you went through going through college? Like for instance, do you think your life would easier if you
were a female gendered?
>> That is hard to say when I am. Like, I say school for college I do not think it really matters much just because. I
mean for UOP there was more females than males. So even now in like my pharmacy class, there is more females than
makes too.
>> Oh interesting.
>> So, I would not say gender. I mean, I would say maybe for like the working life, yes. Based on you know society and
how you, and what you hear, what you see. But then for school, I would not say it should not matter.
>> Okay. What are the cultural expectations of a Hmong male in higher education? Are you expected to go to college?
>> Well, for, I would say from what I have seen. Because males are more expected to you know being the one to have a
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decent job because you are the one that is going to bring in a wife to your family and have kids. And you have to be the
one to care, to, you know support them. So, I would not say, education is really pushed. But I mean parents they will not
really say [inaudible] for school.
>> Okay.
>> Because they know. Because they know like, you know [inaudible] get a job to support you know a family and even
your parents too.
>> Good point. Did I miss anything of asking any other barriers that you might have experienced in college? I mean you
were very, you are very successful to do it in four years. That is actually quite rare.
>> Well because. Well the thing is UOP is like, just like, very, very, you know private universities are a lot smaller. So
you do not have to fight for your classes as much. And even if the classes are full, you can still easily get an override
because there are like so much seats.
>> Oh wow.
>> You know. So, that is what I said, that is one reason why I chose you know to go away from Fresno State because
like I said you know, you seeing like the five, six years the [inaudible] their classes are so filled and you cannot get it.
>> That is our norms. You know six years.
>> Yeah.
>> Wow.
>> Yeah. So.
>> Excellent. Can you. So Mr. Kai you are very unique in that A -- you graduated in four years. B -- You have a four
year degree, right? You graduated. And also you are a male. What is it about your personality that made you succeed
when you know some other people for whatever reason in Fresno or in the world? You know only one percent of the
world has a BA. So why did you make it when other people struggled and ultimately did not finish?
>> I just think it is just self discipline honestly. Because I have talked to like. Well I have talked to all of my friends
because [inaudible] Fresno. And I talked to all them from [Inaudible] State. And then you know, we understand that you
know you need to finish school, get a good job. But then in the end, they do not study. They do not, you know they are
late for [inaudible] and all that stuff. So you know that gets pushed back. And then their classes gets pushed back too as
well. So, I have seen. They just really self motivation and like how seriously you take things because.
>> Well why are you so motivated? Like I do not understand.
>> Like, for me, I like to. Well, I think it starts with your own self. How you see yourself. And then just pushing
yourself because people always, like people always have the thing. I guess goals myself, like you know I want to
achieve successes and that. But then they do not do it. Like, I am all grown up. I tell myself this is how I want to be like.
And then I want to do that. And then. You know, I want to talk the talk and walk the walk. [Inaudible] you know, I want
to be that person. For me that is like, that is just kind of pushing me all the way to you know moving out of town, not
knowing anyone, meeting new people. Building connections. Getting out of my comfort zone. Getting you know I grew
up just hanging out with Hmong people. But then I went up to Stockton, you know I had to meet other ethnic groups and
stuff. And I liked it.
>> That is very impressive.
>> So.
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>> So you have kind of an adventurous personality?
>> I try to because I feel like, like, it is more like how you see life you know. Life is like I do not want to just be home
all the time. Like, I want to explore and get out, you know. So that is kind of how I want to [inaudible].
>> Impressive. Thinking back, is this your personality that you had in third grade?
>> What was that?
>> Is this. Your personality that you have currently, like this adventurous, you kind of have a lot of grit and you finish
what you say. Is this is your same personality you had when you were a third grader? Or sixth grader? Or ninth grader?
Have you always had this personality?
>> I would say, maybe middle school.
>> Middle school.
>> Because elementary, I feel like it is more. Well elementary I was more having fun. I was like riding bikes with
friends and stuff. And then middle school was when like, like oh dang seven classes. You know. And then like. You
know elementary like the. I did okay. But then like it was not really challenging in the elementary compared to like you
know middle school is the real thing, where like whoa textbooks now. You know you got to read from textbooks and
stuff. And so I think middle school and beginning of freshman year kind of where I developed my personality. Yeah.
>> Because you could have easily gone to Fresno State.
>> I could have gone to Fresno State, yeah.
>> But you chose the adventure.
>> Yeah.
>> Anything other. Any other reasons why you are successful, do you think?
>> I cannot really give credit to anyone because like you know my parents were just neutral. They were just like you
want to go to school, go to school. If you do not, then you know just find work. Because they do not want to. They are
not the very pressuring type. You know [inaudible] undergrad, they were forced to go to a certain major because of their
parent. So, I was to say. I mean, I do not want to sound selfish. But like I will say it is mostly just me you know.
>> Okay.
>> Everything that I have done was like because of me.
>> And also, you want. You did not stop at the undergrad level. You are going to be a doctor soon. A doctor of
pharmacy. So that, you know it is like point zero one percent of the world. What motivates you to become a doctor?
>> I would say. Well it was more of an undergrad, I was not really. You know, like a lot of other students, you were not
too sure what you really wanted to do after you are done graduating. You know, pursuing higher education or like just
work. And I knew that I, you know, I find out bachelors are not that good compared to like you know society. So, I kind
of wanted to pursue higher education. But then I did not have that much experience because I did not. I was just
working at the school library. And you know, my clubs are just like social clubs and stuff. But being forced to like
realize. And then I remember walking down [inaudible] building and then you know people post stuff on the wall. And
you always ignore them. So, then I start reading them this one day. I just saw a green paper and it was like you know
[inaudible] at a pharmacy. And then, okay, you know. I am in my junior year. You know, I need to decide what I want
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to do. So then, I took the opportunity and I [inaudible] the pharmacist and then. She also [inaudible] she had a lot of
students that came to [inaudible] for experience. I mean, [inaudible] for experience.
>> Yeah.
>> So, I volunteered for a year and then I was like this is the only experience I have, so I am just going to. I mean, I
enjoyed it too. Working, watching a pharmacy. But then I went with that. so I feel like if it was not for that ultimately I
would not know where I would be at as of right now. But I would say [inaudible] need to get. You get experience
because you know experience right. For me, I see experience over more as a degree. I mean I feel that is pretty true as of
right now.
>> I agree.
>> So. Plus you know experience you get to see. You get to see if you like it or not. So, that is part of [inaudible]. When
I saw that paper and volunteer at a pharmacy because alright I liked it. You know a pharmacology degree I had like
most of the pre-req's for you know pharmacy school. So it is like right away I did not end up taking extra classes. So
that is how I was able to just like apply. And then I got in and I just started right away after I graduated.
>> That is so impressive. You are. So it kind of seems. It seems of you took the onition to volunteer and I am hearing
that volunteering had a great effect on you. But what gave you the confidence to actually volunteer? To go somewhere
new?
>> [Inaudible] you know what am I going to do. I need to do something. And sometimes, sometimes you just got to do
things. Like alright, we will see how it goes. Because I mean you lose nothing. If you do not like it, just do not
[inaudible] or something, you do not like it is, just tell them hey it is not working out for me. And then...
>> Okay.
>> Just find something else.
>> Did you, did you drive there? How did you even get transportation there to volunteer?
>> I had a car and the pharmacy was actually down the street from my school.
>> Okay.
>> So, even for like a lot of my friends that were volunteering, if they did not have a car you could just like a ride a bike
or something.
>> Okay. Wow.
>> So, yeah.
>> Did you guys all get into pharmacy school? Did some of you get in?
>> The ones that I really talked to, they got in to. Yeah, one got into pharmacy school in Elk Grove. One got into the
one in Stockton. One got into the one in Toro. And then, yeah. So, the ones I was really close to, they all got in.
>> So it seemed like you surrounded yourself with like, like minded people who are just as motivated as you. Do you
think that had any effect that you know these people that got into pharmacy school and you also got? Did you have a lot
of friends and did your friends help you get into school?
>> I would say it does play a role. But then you know I said at the end of the day it is still on you. But I mean you do
share ideas, like. I remember [inaudible] this one friend. She was very sure, she was struggling to get into like the
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schools [inaudible]. I told her you know keep trying [inaudible] this month. When you apply to each, call them back
maybe like a week after just so they can pull you pull and then look at your application. Because every year there are so
many applications in there. If you do not call and put your application up front, they might not even get to your
application at all.
>> Wow. So, I love how you. Oh go on.
>> No that was it.
>> No, I love how you mentored yourself. You mentor your other friends by telling them to do that. How did you have
the confidence to just give people advice? You seem to be very giving.
>> I, I always grew up around friends. And then like I, I have, I have always heard you know growing up family over
everything. Family this. Family that. Friends come and go. Growing up [inaudible], even in the third and fourth grade, I
have learned [inaudible]. I never really grew up around cousins or stuff just because how my family was. I do not know
why. But I never really got to know my cousins that well.
>> Okay.
>> But then I had friends. And then like they just, they just became family. Even at a young age. Like, I would
sleepover, they would always you know. If I did not have much, they would kind of fill in the gap for me. And if they
did not have much, I would fill in the gap for them.
>> Wow.
>> Yeah. [Inaudible] across this whole city at a young age is bad. But we were kids, you know. And like, riding bikes in
like fourth grade all the way to like eighth grade and stuff. And then you just, you meet people and then even to this day,
a lot of people back at UOP I will ask all of them you know how many friends do you still keep in touch with from high
school. And they all are like only one or two. And I am like really? I am have a good 10 people that I am very close
with.
>> Oh wow.
>> Even to this day, like I [inaudible] you need to [inaudible] the friendship.
>> Yes.
>> I have always been a. I have always been a good friend for like friend people. That is just how it is supposed to be.
And then that is why like I am, I am always. I do not mind talking to friends. Like mentoring them. Well I do not mentor
because to mentor but that is like, I feel like I need to tell them like maybe this is where you are struggling and then I
just help them out.
>> And then do they help you out too? Like your 10 friends that you are friend with from high school, did they go to
college? Did they go to Fresno State? Or U Pacific?
>> Some are at City, some are at State, some are just working. Yeah, so you get the whole. Like I get all three types.
And I just tell them you know if you want to work. You know they are like school is not everyone. I tell them, you do
not want to go to school. You are just working. You know I just ask you know later on maybe go towards a job that is
like in accounting or state because those are the best you can do without like any degree or anything. But they have like
benefits and stuff you know.
>> Great.
>> So I was like if you do not go to school that is fine. But then you know do not be working at a warehouse the whole
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life, like go work for a county job or like a state job, you know. They are going to be the best that you get.
>> Excellent.
>> So you have given a lot of advice. You know, your friendship. You are adventurous. You have grit. You give advice.
You yourself volunteered. Thinking back at your school or your community, do you think the community at all helped
you go to college? For instance, we have a whole Hmong B-Boy archive now, where these Hmong B-Boys. Now they
are in their 30's, mid 30's. They are saying how because they were dancing that helped them in school. Did you have any
community kind of environment that like pushed school on you? Or higher education?
>> Well I mean I told about my Hmong clubs in high school and undergrads. But then I would say it was more for like
social.
>> Okay.
>> But then, I would not. I mean, I would not really say they pushed me because I have been [inaudible] some people
that are in the Hmong club, they were just got, they just got to go to work and stuff. You know. So, I would not really
say I personally had an impact on the community.
>> Okay. What about religion? Did religion help you at all in the higher education? Or no affect?
>> I would say no affect. Because for my family we actually converted to Mormon.
>> Oh okay.
>> Yeah way back then. So I grew up as a Mormon Hmongster [phonetic] or Hmong kid. So, you know church did not.
I mean church did not really say much. I mean [inaudible] do good in school and be good kid. And other than that, not
really [inaudible].
>> Okay. What about. Looking back at. Was your, your college was a liberal arts?
>> No, it was biology.
>> A what?
>> No I am talking about the type of college/university you went to.
>> Oh the college.
>> Was it a liberal arts? Or?
>> Oh I think it was, it was some kind of Christian based college.
>> Oh okay. Okay.
>> But then it was not that extreme, like you would. Like other schools. Yeah.
>> Oh interesting. Looking back at your college career, you were successful because pharmacy school is extremely hard
to get in to. Very hard to get in to. So very successful. Did you want smaller classes? Or did you have smaller classes?
Or you that you thought oh that was good?
>> I think smaller classes way, way much better.
>> Okay.
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>> Just because [inaudible] interaction with the professor and then even the students too because it is like. If you really
do, like talk to other students and then you really do learn from them because there is only one professor you know. And
they are going around helping other students, you cannot just get away from him. You got to. You just ask other
students and they teach you and you teach them and then you learn. So that is why I say smaller is a lot better. Because
bigger people are kind of like. The bigger. I think in the bigger classes people just have some friends [inaudible]. But
they are in their own click and so they do not really want to associate with you. But in small classes you [inaudible].
>> Okay. What about professors? Did you want more Hmong professors? Or no difference?
>> I do not think it really matters because you know it is just teaching [inaudible] their skill level and preference on how
to teach. Their style.
>> What about more Hmong students?
>> I would not really. I mean. What do you mean by that? Like what I prefer?
>> Right. At Fresno State 50 percent of the Asians are of Hmong's decent.
>> Oh okay. I feel like that is kind of one of the downfalls for a lot of us. Because they are all friends already. And then
they are kind of like if one is not motivating, then like they are all become non-motivated because they are like oh if I
am going to go to class and oh you are the one. You are the one friend I know in that class, you are not going to go then
I am not going to go either you know.
>> Oh.
>> So, I would, I would kind of say kind of it could backfire. But at the same time, oh you are going, I am going to go
too.
>> Okay. What about more ethnic clubs? More Hmong clubs? Or no difference?
>> I have always seen that as a social thing.
>> Okay.
>> But I mean you never know who you are going to meet, so I. I am not against having like those kinds of clubs.
>> And then.
>> It helps.
>> And thinking back at your college SUCCESS workshops is there is any SUCCESS workshop that you thought was
very good and that you wanted more of? Are there [inaudible].
>> Well, I really like the grad workshop because you know college is all a learning experience. You learn how to do
everything yourself. Like all the financial aid stuff. And all these classes and stuff. How to add classes and everything. I
was just. I was just self taught you know. They say oh go to the photo inside for your school and click here, click here.
And then yeah it was all self learn. And then, so you know, like [inaudible] kind of show you how to apply for you
know Fresno State or Fresno City and other colleges. So I like that. But then you know, I go alright grad school you
know is a thing for [inaudible] and different with the requirements you know. But the workshop really helped me with
that. And then also how to. Field trips to through SUCCESS. We went to the [inaudible], I forget what it was called. But
it was like a day for like to get to know other schools and what they offer.
>> Oh wow.
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>> Like graduate schools.
>> Did you. In high school, did you go through the Avid program?
>> No, I did not do that.
>> Oh. Okay.
>> I just personally did not like it because I feel like it was way too much work needed. And then, and then [inaudible].
I am like that is hard enough.
>> Okay. Okay.
>> I mean, I never really experienced Avid, so I cannot really say. But from my friends said, they said they liked it.
>> Okay.
>> Because you know it kept them organized. But that had big old binders, which I do not like carrying lots of heavy
stuff.
>> Okay. So, Mr. Kai you are in fact approaching the top one percent of the earth. Maybe less than one percent. And so
you are a very successful Southeast Asian Member in Fresno. Can you give any. And this is my last question actually.
And if you would like to volunteer anything, feel free. Can you give any advice to the second, third, fourth generation
who will listen to your story? Your very successful story. And can you give them any advice to keep going to graduate
high school, I mean college? Can you give them any advice?
>> Hmm. I feel like every [inaudible] that like you know, even like. I tell my friends now, you know they get frustrated
and then they [inaudible] and you got to take advantage of that. [Inaudible] so I was like it is more of a, probably it
means one things because you know I pay my loans. And then I thought I alright I got finish because I got a loan I got to
pay it off soon. So I think for them [inaudible] you know get their free financial aid, they are not paying anything. It is
just given to them, so they do not take, they do not take it serious. So that is why I said the self motivation comes into
play. You need to be. You need to know who you are and build your, build your character [inaudible] type of grit and
attitude. Just be really motivated to pick something, go towards it. You do not like it, that is fine you have time to
readjust yourself and then go on. So, you just need to. You cannot always be comfortable. You have to always be you
know advancing forward. Because like, you know in this life, in society, you know school. Like you know elementary,
high school is like -- those are like the training wheels you know. After that, you are going to be in the real world. So
you need to really. You just have to have kind of the reality check as well. Because I have met a lot of people in like
undergrad, like they are coming that seems to come from a privileged family.
>> Right.
>> And it is like you do know how to do some simple stuff, like car stuff or like the house stuff. And like [inaudible]
say really like, you really need to build yourself to like be ready for the world because. You know, you are going to be
living by yourself one day, you know.
>> Right. That is excellent advice. That is excellent advice. Thank you. Your story is so inspiring. And I have. I know
that students listening to this will take your advice very deeply. Is there anything else you want to add? IF not, I am
going to finish this interview and turn off my recorder.
>> I do not have much to say because I pretty said everything. Yeah, that should be it.
>> Okay. Thank you so much.
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