Sherina Sonksavong interview
Item
Title
Sherina Sonksavong interview
Creator
Sonksavong, Sherina
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_00015
extracted text
>> Hello. Welcome. Thank you so much for being part of our successful southeast Asian archive, Successful Southeast
Asian Voices. Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. Can you please say your name and spell it?
>> Sherina Souksavong. S-H-E-R-I-N-A and second spelling S-O-U-K-S-A-V as in Victor O-N-G.
>> Will you please give me verbal permission to interview you and to cite in future publications?
>> Yes, you may.
>> Great! OK. Let's start. What is your gender?
>> Female.
>> What is -- not the date, but what is your birth year?
>> 1992.
>> What is your ethnic group and where were you born?
>> I would say I'm Laotian Chinese.
>> Uh-huh.
>> And that I was born here in America, in [inaudible] Valley.
>> Oh interesting. And, oh interesting! You're my first Laos Chinese. I've had a couple of Laos Cambodians. I mean,
Cambodian Chinese [laughing].
>> Oh yeah.
>> Interesting. Is there a big Chinese population of Laos?
>> Here in Fresno, no.
>> No? OK.
>> Not too much.
>> OK.
>> But I know there's a lot in, like, Santa Ana, Westminster area.
>> OK. Really?
>> Yes.
>> I'll have to find that. Laos Chinese. I'm doing a sort of a project on double minorities on Chinese people in southeast
Asia.
>> Oh.
>> So I'll keep you double starred [laughing].
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>> OK [laughing].
>> For another interview later. What is your undergraduate major?
>> It was biology and now I'm going into nursing.
>> Oh great! What is your generation in the United States?
>> Second.
>> What is your father and mother's highest education?
>> For my mother, it would be some college. For my father, it would be a masters.
>> Excellent. That's very rare. That's -- I've, literally you're two out of 30 that have that parents. Wow. What's your
family composition that you grew up in? Like brothers and sisters?
>> Oh, OK. So I just have two older sisters.
>> Did they go to college?
>> Yes. They both graduated college and they're both professionals now.
>> Wow. What college did they graduate?
>> Did they graduate from?
>> Yeah, what college?
>> Oh. My eldest sister graduated from UC Davis and my second, she graduated from Fresno State.
>> Great!
>> Yeah.
>> OK. What is your GPA?
>> I'm not quite sure anymore because it's been, like, fluctuating since I went back to school, but I would maybe say
like overall a 3.6 now.
>> Oh holy moly. That's quite high [laughing]. What's your ultimate degree aspiration?
>> To become a family nurse practitioner.
>> Oh. What is the socioeconomic background that you grew up in? Was it low, working class, middle, affluent, rich?
>> I would say at the beginning, it would have been maybe the lower working class. But now currently now that we're
all grown up and stuff I think we would be a little more like the middle class.
>> Oh, OK. What high school did you go to and was it public or private?
>> I went to Central East High School and it was a public school.
>> Where is Central East High School?
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>> It's on kind of like the outskirts of Fresno. It would be ->> It's in Fresno?
>> Yes.
>> OK.
>> So I believe it's more north of Fresno.
>> North of Fresno. OK. If you're thinking back of your racial and ethnic demographic, what's the percentage at your
high school? Guessing, just guessing.
>> Guessing-wise -- like just as Asians or Laotians?
>> Everyone. Like, what percentage -- if you would guess -- African American? What percentages ->> Oh OK. Actually my school was pretty, like, culturally diverse. So maybe blacks would have been, like, 12%.
>> Oh.
>> Asians maybe like 25 to 30.
>> And what did the makeup of?
>> I'm sorry?
>> What type of Asian?
>> Oh! Mainly like Hmong and Laos. Not too many eastern Asians.
>> Oh, interesting.
>> Let me think. And then there were a lot of Indians.
>> Interesting. Interesting.
>> Yeah. My neighborhood, like, full of Indians [laughing]. But ->> How interesting! OK.
>> Yeah. And then there was like, maybe like 20% -- no, maybe 30% white.
>> Oh!
>> And then a lot of Mexican.
>> Very diverse.
>> Yes.
>> Very diverse. OK. Why do Laos Chinese, why do they go to college and why do they don't go to college?
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>> I think it's just like an expectation from, you know, the adults.
>> Uh-huh.
>> I think there's, like, a lot of pressure going in that you have to maybe major in a certain area and you have to finish.
>> Uh-huh.
>> So I think that's a major reason why a lot of kids go into it and not knowing what to major in.
>> But why do the Laos not go to college?
>> Why do they not? I would say because financial barriers. Some of my friends, they had to work instead for the time
being. And then it just ends up, like, they just never go back to School.
>> Did your college -- did your high school friends go to college and graduate? Or did they not go?
>> Actually, all of my friends. I have a, my Laos best friend, she graduated from CSU Channel Island.
>> Oh, OK.
>> But she did go to UC Riverside to begin with and then she had to come back home to Fresno to community college
and then she went back to CSU Channel. But, yeah, all my friends. Well, not all of them. Some of them are currently in
school.
>> Oh interesting.
>> Yeah, we're still going.
>> Still going? Great. OK. So if you compare -- if you look at the Laos Chinese, or just Laos, their rate of college going
is quite lower than south Indians which is 70%, one of the highest in the nation. Why do you see there's a disparity?
Like Laos it's like 14% graduation, whereas 70. Why is this difference among the Asians?
>> Hmm. The only thing I can think of is that, like, with -- I just feel like with, what is it? The south Indians? Is that
what you called them? They're more financially stable and so they're able to, like, send their kids to school without
worrying about work and stuff.
>> Interesting.
>> But with Laotians, like I said, there's all these financial barriers. Some of them don't really know how financial aid
works or loans. And so it's just like a lot of -- it's just hard when your parents don't know what you're exactly doing and
->> But in this, in your case, both your father got a -- mother got a masters or father had a masters?
>> My father.
>> So then did that help you at all?
>> Actually, he went through a totally different route.
>> Was it a masters in America or masters in Laos?
>> Masters in America, but he -file:///C/...ast%20Asian%20Successful%20Voices/Files%20for%20upload/30_Sherina_Sonksavong_LaoChineseF_PresLoas_STAR.clean.txt[3/10/2022 9:08:33 AM]
>> Wow! OK.
>> Didn't actually go through, like, traditional college here. My father -- this is like a special unicorn thing again, but
[laughing].
>> OK. [laughing]
>> My dad was actually a general surgeon in Laos.
>> A doctor?
>> Yes.
>> Oh! OK. So he's an MD?
>> Yeah, he had one, like, in Laos.
>> Wow. OK.
>> But when we came here, he was just stripped of everything.
>> Right.
>> And so he had to start all over. And so luckily he was able to get into a masters program after, like, years of trying
to, like, prove himself that he was a doctor. Finally he got into a PA program. And so he went through that way. But he
never went through, you know, traditional college where you did like financial aid or had student loans or anything. So
it's kind of hard.
>> PA is very competitive to get into.
>> Yeah.
>> Wow! That's very impressive that your father did that. That's -- OK.
>> But it was kind of hard because he had to, like, start all over.
>> Right. That's really ->> Difficult for him.
>> Definitely. Thinking back, you know, back to you [laughing], do you think that you were prepared by your high
school to go to college?
>> No.
>> Tell me more.
>> I was actually in this program called Ave [phonetic].
>> Tell me more, please.
>> It was supposed to be like a college prep thing that helps you apply for college, do like study habits and stuff.
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>> Mmhmm.
>> And I just didn't feel like it was -- it didn't do what it was set out to do.
>> Mmhmm.
>> Like, I was so confused going in. And you know, I didn't really feel like I was pushed to, like, apply for more.
>> Did they push you to apply to Fresno State only or was it ->> They were really like, oh you should stay in Fresno.
>> Really?
>> Or, you know, we also did, like, field trips, but ->> Where did you go?
>> We went to a couple places, like UCLA.
>> Oh wow!
>> UC Berkeley. Like, we traveled a lot and got to visit the actual campuses but it was, like, nothing more than that in
my opinion. Like ->> Did your sisters going to college, that kind of help you or no?
>> Yeah. I think that was like the main reason why I stuck with school because I had my sisters, my older sisters. That
helped out a lot. They would tell me what classes to take, how to do it, how to manage myself.
>> Excellent. So older sisters.
>> Yeah.
>> So they helped you with the FAFSA, etc.?
>> Yes.
>> Wow. OK. That's a tremendous amount of help. So your father wasn't because he had that different route? OK.
>> Yeah. He didn't help [laughing].
>> Alright. But who helped your first sister when she was by herself?
>> She just kind of was on her own.
>> Oh my goodness! OK. Because she was ->> Yeah. Yeah, that's ->> No one helped her.
>> Exactly. But that's why she's so great [laughing].
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>> Yeah. You should thank her [laughing]. Thinking back, thank god you had those helps. Do you think that you had
any other, like -- OK, so you thought that Avid wasn't successful but your sisters really were helping you successful?
>> Yeah.
>> Do you think that you had any other barriers? So this, the barrier part, is optional. Do you think you had any other
barriers? For instance, if you were a Laos male, would it have been easier to graduate? Or no difference? Because you're
a family of three girls.
>> Yeah. No, I think for Laotian males it's kind of hard because you have, like, a lot more influence from your friends, I
would say.
>> OK. Develop that. I don't know what to say [laughing].
>> I kind of like -- I'll go into a personal story, I guess. I had a Laos boyfriend in college. I have currently one now. But
my ex-boyfriend back then, he was just the type that, like, didn't want to ask for help. He, whenever someone would ask
him to hang out, he would go. Or like, whenever his parents needed anything, small things, he would go out and do it. It
was always like them asking him for help. And I mean, I understand, too, because they didn't speak English that well
either. And I think that's like a huge barrier because, you know, he's expected to, like, help his family all the time and ->> Was he the oldest?
>> No, he was actually the youngest which was strange.
>> Hmm. OK. Yeah.
>> It was very strange. But I guess, like, you know, the eldest had, like a disability and that's why.
>> OK.
>> And the middle child just, like, didn't really care. So it was just him left.
>> OK.
>> As male, as the [inaudible] son.
>> Right. Well thank you for sharing that. I think that's an important insight. So you didn't -- did you have that? Did you
have to take care of kids? Did you have to care for your siblings? Did you have ->> [Inaudible] special [inaudible].
[ Laughter ]
No, I was the youngest and so I didn't really have anything to, like -- besides trying to, like, I had a job throughout
college.
>> Where did you work?
>> I worked as a waitress at a Korean and Japanese restaurant.
>> Oh, Ok.
>> And I did that for the first three years of college.
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>> Mmhmm.
>> And I saw that my grades were, like, sacrificed for that. So finally when I transferred to Fresno State, I told them I
was going to quit.
>> OK.
>> Yeah.
>> OK. So great. So you definitely did work a lot. Any -- do you think -- I didn't ask you any other questions about
barriers?
>> Barriers?
>> Educational? Well, you had your sisters. And then cultural.
>> I think one of the other barriers was like I was expected to go into, like, medicine.
>> Oh, interesting. OK.
>> Yeah. And, like, my older sister was doing, like, she wanted to become an MD. And my second sister wanted to be a
pharmacist. And then with me everyone was just, like, asking me, what do you want to do, Sherina? I don't know. And
then I was just scrambling, trying to figure out what I wanted to do. But I think I was more scared of disappointing my
parents that I didn't really look into what I was interested in.
>> So was this, like, your Laos side? Your Chinese side? Or was it like your family?
>> I think it's like just Asian parents in general.
>> I found for the Filipinos they're highly pushed to be nurses.
>> Nurses.
>> It's very common.
>> Yes. Actually, my dad ->> Why is that? Why? [laughing] You're maybe, like, out of 30 interviews, you're like almost 30 interviews of pushing
the medical. Why is that? Why is that?
>> I think it's because they know that it's such a, like, stable job. And ->> Is it the fear of first generation? They fear you won't get a job and support yourself?
>> Yeah, I think so.
>> Because I have to say all the interviews were pushed into medicine. Like all of them.
>> I think because it's just like a common belief that if you go into medicine, like, you'll be successful. You'll be seen as
successful.
>> Ah, OK.
>> And you won't have to worry about job instability because there's always going to be people who are sick.
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>> OK. OK.
>> And that's what my dad, his reasoning with me is. For actually a long time, he told me, like, oh no. Don't settle for
nursing. So that's what ->> Interesting. OK.
>> Because like ->> Because that's the first one for Filipinos. You must be a nurse [laughing].
>> Yeah! No, my dad was, you know, he used to be a doctor. So he was really pushing me to go into, like, any type of
doctorate.
>> But do you think -- did your sisters? Were they pushed the same?
>> Yes.
>> Really? Your sisters too?
>> Yes.
>> Wow, so you're like the third one. Interesting. And you, it's not the Laos or the Chinese side? It's you think the whole
Asian? How interesting. OK. That is actually kind of a barrier in that you're pushed into a certain field. And I've noticed
in the interviews, they've all said that [laughing]. They were pushed into -- that's, like, down the line.
>> That was like a huge thing ->> Into medical.
>> For, like, my entire undergrad.
>> Wow. OK. So you mentioned you are a unicorn in terms of success. Why are you so successful? Why did you
graduate when some, for whatever reason, did not graduate? How did you do it? Like, what is -- is this your personality
you've always had? Or why did you -- because there's, you know ->> I guess, like, in my personality, yeah, I guess so. I was never like an A plus student, but I was always a good student.
And I would always study and when it came to, like, either hanging out or studying, I would just study.
>> Interesting. But where did you get that? That's the thing. Is it internal?
>> I guess so. Yeah.
>> Did you study in third grade?
>> No [laughing].
>> Sixth grade? High school? [laughing]
>> I think it was when I started college that I realized, like, oh I wasn't prepared for this. I need to start studying.
>> Interesting.
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>> Yeah, because I didn't study at all in high school.
>> And did Avid do you think? It had no effect? Avid had no effect to help you study?
>> I didn't take Cornell notes. I didn't do anything.
>> Oh! You didn't take Cornell -- I heard they teach you that.
>> They teach you that, but I didn't use it.
>> Oh, interesting. OK. Were there any things that you -- how did you switch, though, from not studying in high school
to suddenly studying?
>> I think because I had more time because back in high school I did sports.
>> Oh what did you do?
>> I played tennis.
>> Oh great.
>> Yeah. So back then I just didn't study because I didn't have time.
>> Right, right.
>> But I still had pretty good grades. I think I was just kind of, like, kind of naturally could learn fast, I guess.
>> Oh wow.
>> But in college that was totally different because, you know, like, I wasn't prepared.
>> Interesting.
>> But yeah I realized that and I went to tutoring and all that.
>> I love how you said you went to tutoring.
>> Yeah.
>> How did you get the confidence to go to tutoring because we found in a lot of the interviews students say I'll do it by
myself. I'll help myself.
>> Yeah.
>> That's a common sentiment [laughing].
>> My sisters were the ones who told me to go to tutoring. [laughing]
>> Oh wow. OK.
>> Yeah. So I guess it really does help when someone your age kind of tells you what to do and ->> So your sisters said it. How bad -- did you even know there is tutoring at Fresno State? Like, they just told you?
Because they're from UC Davis, right?
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>> Yeah. Well, I went to community college first, for the first three years. And so did my second sister, second oldest
sister. And she was actually a tutor for a high school. But she, like, went to the tutoring center at Fresno City as well. So
she told me, like, go in for chemistry. Go in for this.
>> Oh!
>> And even then, like, with tutoring I still got like Cs and Ds. But, I mean, imagine if I didn't [laughing].
>> Right. That's a good point. That's a good point.
>> Yeah [laughing].
>> I mean, maybe, right. I'm so glad you went.
>> Yeah.
>> Thinking back about your successful college career, what other bridges helped you? You said your sister for sure.
Your family pushing you. You said Avid was not important. What helped you? Like, bridges. We were talking about the
barriers. What other things helped you, do you think? Did you go to office hours?
>> No, I didn't feel like the counselors were all that helpful at Fresno City. The transfer center was the most help that I
had because they told me exactly what I needed to leave. You know, I know like a lot of my friends got stuck there
because they didn't take the right classes.
>> Right! So how did you take the right classes when actually a large percentage of people who stay in through college,
they never -- so how did you?
>> I went to the transfer center.
>> So you asked for help and they told you?
>> Yeah.
>> Wow! OK.
>> And they made me a little plan. Like ->> OK.
>> Yeah, you only have this much left, so I would say take this this semester and then take that the next and then you'll
be out of here. And I was like, OK.
>> Wow! And you listened?
>> Yeah.
>> That's also a big component. [laughing]
>> Yeah and I actually told my friend that and she told me the same thing. She was like, yeah, I'm so glad you told me
because my counselor was no help but the transfer center told me.
>> So you've been mentoring a lot. I've noticed that you're very helpful. So [laughing] why does it -- what made you
reach out to your friend and actually help her?
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>> Oh she was my best friend that went to Riverside. And she came back and I just wanted her to, like, because I mean
we would talk a lot and she would just tell me, you know, not a lot about her school. But she would just tell me, oh I
went to go talk to a counselor. And I wanted her to, like, leave, you know, with me. And so that was just it.
>> And imagine if you didn't tell her.
>> I know!
>> She -- still there. So it's kind of great that you're so helpful.
>> Yeah.
>> Do you think -- I didn't ask you anything about successful traits that you had to make you successful? Because you're
very successful [laughing] so any other kind of like bridges that helped you? Because I feel like you used a lot of
resources which is great! That's what you're here for. That's what you're here for.
>> I don't know. I guess like networking, too.
>> Networking! Yes! Can you please talk about networking, why it's so important?
>> I don't think I started networking until, like, maybe my last two years of my first undergrad.
>> First of all, define what networking is for students. Like, what is Networking?
>> I think just like meeting different people, making connections, and reaching out to them. And also ->> Exchange your name?
>> Yes.
>> Exchange your emails, numbers.
>> But also not only the reaching out but giving yourself too because you can't just like ask someone for help and not
give them, like, the same back because why would they just help you?
>> Correct.
>> That's how I feel.
>> That's a good point. So offer something. Or exchange.
>> Yeah! Like, if they're, like, holding an event, like attend the event.
>> Good point.
>> Yeah, that's what I learned.
>> Attend the event. Were you a part of Laos Student Club?
>> Yeah, I was actually president.
>> Oh, tell me more. Tell me more. Tell me why it affected you. How did you get there?
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>> It was in 13 through 14. Yeah. And then I just like, I was still in the cabinet for my last year and I'm still helping now
that I'm going back for nursing.
>> So how did you get to that presidency? Because that itself is -- you know, not all students. Most students don't do,
like, [inaudible] and then to get the president. That's -- tell us your story, please.
>> Well, I'm like, well ever since I was little, I would be involved with the community.
>> Ahh.
>> I actually play this little Laos instrument.
>> Oh really? What's it called?
>> The laanat. And it's like a -- what is that called?
>> It's that -- yeah, I've seen it [laughing].
>> And I would play every year [laughing] for, like, for [inaudible]
>> For the community?
>> Yeah.
>> Oh my god! That's great!
>> And so that's something my dad would always, like, push on me. And when I was younger, I hated it.
>> OK.
>> But then I realized when I started going into middle school and high school, like, that it was really rare. And so I got
really into it.
>> Oh.
>> And I kind of lost touch with that when I went to college. I would still perform but I wasn't, like, as into it. And so,
this was after I broke up with my ex [laughing].
>> OK [laughing].
>> [Inaudible] my first [inaudible] ex ->> OK.
>> And I was just like, you know what? I need to make more friends. I need to, like, put myself out there and meet more
Laos people.
>> Great!
>> It was weird because I had a Laos boyfriend but I didn't talk to many Laos people.
>> Wow! OK.
>> Because I was so, like, into school and stuff. And so, like, the year before I left Fresno City, my friend told me,
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Shangtang [phonetic], he kind of reached out to me. Like, hey, we're doing this meet and greet or something at the park
and then I went.
>> Oh! How did he reach out to you? Was it social media?
>> Yeah. He actually knew my eldest sister again. So that was the connection.
>> Oh my god. Small world.
>> He went to UC Davis too.
>> OK. [laughing]
>> Yeah, and so he was like hey, because he was back in Fresno too. He was like, we're doing a meet and greet and so I
went. And it was, like, so much fun. And so he decided that he wanted to create a Laos Student Association at Fresno
City, start it up again.
>> OK, OK.
>> So I was like, yeah, I totally, like, I totally want to be involved and I was so heavily involved in that. Yeah, I was
really involved.
>> And what did you guys do as events?
>> We did, like, cultural events.
>> Ooh. OK.
>> We -- I don't know.
>> Did you do movie nights or anything? Or volunteering?
>> Yeah, we did like movie nights.
>> OK.
>> We tried to make it a lot -- we went on hikes together.
>> Oh, nice! OK.
>> Like, we try to do fun stuff. And yeah, like Christmas parties and stuff.
>> Nice. OK.
>> And then actually, we actually connected with Fresno State [inaudible] and so we do events. And that's when, like,
they needed a president. When I was -- the year that I was transferring, they're like, hey do you want to be president? So
I was like, sure. I mean, I would rather do it the following year so I'm like more settled in but since no one wants to do
it, that's OK with me. That's fine.
>> Yeah! I just love how you did that because that's actually a similar story to all the presidents [laughing] for
Cambodian, for all the Laos. Yeah, it's pretty -- Filipinos. Like, you've got to take the spot.
>> Yeah.
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>> So you like, you kind of like, step up to the plate when needed.
>> Yeah, seriously. [Laughter] That was a lot to take on.
>> You just dived in [laughing].
>> Yes. It was a lot, but I'm so glad I did it because ->> What did you do? Did you -- how did you advertise to the Laos students? And how did you get them in numbers?
>> I don't know. I just created social medias. I tried to be, like, active on there. And then, you know, when I would meet
someone new that I knew was Laotian or was interested in like Asian stuff, I would try to invite them to our meetings.
>> Ah!
>> And I would even ->> Interesting.
>> Personally, like, text message them. And like ->> Direct marketing.
>> Yeah!
>> Yes.
>> [Inaudible] You know, I really want to make them feel welcome. So I'm going to like, really, like ->> Was it successful?
>> Yeah! Yeah. So, like ->> OK. Great!
>> Yeah, I got this one girl. She was like a sophomore or junior and she actually became president the next year.
>> Oh!
>> So it was really cool.
>> Great!
>> Yeah.
>> So actually, that's great that you had such a warm environment, it seems, as president of the Laos Club. How can we
make Fresno State warmer for students?
>> Have more people there willing to, like, make connections, I guess.
>> OK.
>> And like, put in effort to extracurricular, because I know, like --
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>> Extracurricular, OK.
>> I mean, it's not such a great success story. I mean, overall it was great, but there was, like, failures too.
>> Definitely, definitely. So it's great how you kind of jump back from the failure.
>> Yeah.
>> Because we all have failures, so yeah.
>> Yeah, because you know, there was multiple times where I would ask, hey do you want to join? And they're just flatout, no. That's not my thing. I don't do that. And you know ->> But what made you ask again? [laughing] I mean, [inaudible]
>> Well, I would ask again but after a while I would just stop because you know, you can't change someone, but ->> That is correct. Or later [laughing].
>> But, yeah, just don't feel deterred, I guess, because otherwise you wouldn't have all the good stuff afterwards.
>> Great. So here is the fun part. Tell me if you want this. Smaller classes.
>> Yes.
>> Do you want more co-ethnic professors? We hired a Laos professor.
>> Dr. [inaudible]?
>> Yes. More co-ethnics?
>> Yeah.
>> OK. What about more ethnic clubs?
>> Yeah, I would want more ethnic clubs.
>> OK. [inaudible] workshops. What do you want?
>> I want more say into what these workshops.
>> So what would you want? What workshops do you want and need?
>> Because, OK. So you mentioned before, like this past year we had the Laos students come here and I was part of,
like you know, the student panel. I just wish, like, we had, the college students had more say in how it was run because I
felt like it was very out of touch. Yeah.
>> Tell me more.
>> I would just say that ->> How can we touch them? Because we need to touch [laughing].
>> I've gone to UC Davis, the student coalition as well, and I was able to compare the two.
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>> Oh, Ok.
>> And what I liked about that one is that they had, like the privacy and the intimacy to be real with the students. Like,
it felt like the current college students were able to tell the high schoolers, like, this is what it's really like, without the
parents there or the teachers there watching. You know?
>> So generational difference? Right?
>> Yeah. So.
>> OK.
>> And I felt like the older generation, they had a lot to say, which was great but [laughing] some of the stuff was just,
like, didn't pertain to our current generation.
>> That's a great point.
>> So. Yeah.
>> That's why I feel like your interview is so important because the students are like, oh. I know they'll all say, that
person is a first gen. They went through the war! So like ->> Yeah, exactly!
>> Well you're second gen!
>> Yeah, definitely. So it was really, like, I felt like a lot of the kids were -- and I asked them because I know some of
them. They're some of my [inaudible].
>> Little babies.
>> Yeah. And they're just like, it was really boring. [laughing] They repeated the same things a lot. I'm like, OK, I'm
sorry. We're trying.
>> You were trying. They'll come through next year too. Or this year too. So you can convey that to the organizers.
>> But I'm glad that they did it, though because ->> Yeah, for sure. For sure.
>> Because I met a lot of nice kids and even older, you know, professionals. I was able to network there too.
>> First gens. Yeah. So, Sherina, the last question is -- unless there's anything you want to add.
>> No.
>> Those guys, those little guys that you talked to, some were -- I think they're more like sixth graders, seventh graders,
and eighth graders, right? They were like little ->> There's some, mostly high schoolers and middle schoolers. Yeah.
>> Yeah, high schoolers. So they're coming up soon.
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>> Yeah.
>> So this is the time for you to give them advice down the line. What are ten things that you want to say to them?
>> Ten things? That's a lot.
>> I mean ->> OK. I'll just try to think of some. I guess like don't be afraid to ask for help.
>> OK.
>> I know, like, it's really -- so many people say that, but it's really true. Because if you're, you know, if you're
drowning, ask someone for a hand.
>> Right.
>> You know, like, it will help you like down the line.
>> OK.
>> I guess ->> You talked about networking.
>> Oh networking, too. Yeah, it definitely -- attend events.
>> Attend events. And be active in clubs?
>> Yeah, be active in clubs. Yeah, that's the first step. Because, you know, I wasn't always this active. I was pretty shy
before. So just being there at the meetings, it's one step closer. They're just baby steps. You don't have to do it right
away because it's really intimidating.
>> OK. So networking. Ask for help. And join clubs. Be active. OK. Anything else? Because you talked about tutoring
[laughing].
>> Oh yeah. Go to tutoring [laughing]. It's free.
>> Go to tutoring. OK. It's free. Yes. Thank you for mentioning that, please. Thank you.
>> Yeah. It's great. It's really helpful. Even if it won't help you -- I mean, they'll help you with anything. Schoolwork,
tests coming up. Like, these people, like, already took the classes. They know what to expect. Many of them have
already even taken the same professor.
>> Oh, good point!
>> Yeah. They will give you very helpful hints.
>> Very good point.
>> Oh, right. And also, this is a huge one. Make friends in your classes because ->> Yes, make friends.
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>> Because they have ->> Group study!
>> Group studies, but not only that, they have resources.
>> OK.
>> because maybe they have siblings that used to take that professor.
>> Good point.
>> It helped me a lot.
>> That's a great point. So you said you were a tennis player as ->> High schooler.
>> As high schooler. Can you give them any advice? Because they're going to do all this stuff you say. If they do, they'll
be very successful.
>> Yeah.
>> What self-care advice? For them to take care of their bodies, soul, and mind. Their body, because they have stress.
So what can you -- what kind of advice can you give them in terms of, like, you know, [sigh] theirself so they don't feel
so overwhelmed with stress? I mean, what did you do to relieve stress? Or, like I know you play tennis.
>> Yeah.
>> Which is pretty physical.
>> But yeah, like, the first four years of college I didn't work out and so I felt really, like, bad about myself. And also I
gained a lot of weight. Well, it fluctuated. But like when I started working out again ->> Work out!
>> Like, I felt ->> Work out.
>> I felt, like -- it just sounds really, like, materialistic, but I felt pretty.
>> OK.
>> And that felt -- that made me feel good about myself.
>> That's a good point, though. That's your soul is being taken care of.
>> And I felt better, too. LOike when I woke up, I didn't feel all groggy.
>> OK.
>> So I just had more energy and that was good.
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>> And so you made time for yourself to work out? Self-care.
>> Yeah, and it's great because at Fresno State we have a free Rec center, and so maybe like an hour or two before my
first class, I'll go work out. And then I'll shower and then attend class.
>> That is great advice. That is great advice.
>> Yeah. And it's totally free.
>> Totally free. OK.
>> [Laughing] That's what's so great about it.
>> Another free thing!
>> Really. Yes. Because I'm, like, my parents don't ->> Finances are important.
>> They definitely help me.
>> Finances are important.
>> Yeah. With like anything else besides, like, school, if I need it. Or my car. But yeah. I mean, the little bit that I could
save. Like, it's amazing.
>> That is great. Any last tip? You gave me nine. Anything else? Saving money on books? [Laughing]
>> Oh yeah. Buy used books.
>> Buy used books. OK.
>> And then again, make friends with older classmates because maybe they might just give you those books for free.
>> OK. Older classmates. That's a great point.
>> There's also like this Facebook group page. I don't know if all campuses have it but I know Fresno State does, where
like you can post stuff with books you have or what you need. And yeah, they just trade books.
>> Trade books! Yes. Thank you so much. You don't happen to know the website of that?
>> I forgot what it's called.
>> It's OK. Students can look it up themselves, but now they know.
>> Yeah.
>> OK. So thank you so much. These are like 11 great tips that you gave.
>> Oh!
>> So I'm going to close the interview. Thank you so much.
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Asian Voices. Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. Can you please say your name and spell it?
>> Sherina Souksavong. S-H-E-R-I-N-A and second spelling S-O-U-K-S-A-V as in Victor O-N-G.
>> Will you please give me verbal permission to interview you and to cite in future publications?
>> Yes, you may.
>> Great! OK. Let's start. What is your gender?
>> Female.
>> What is -- not the date, but what is your birth year?
>> 1992.
>> What is your ethnic group and where were you born?
>> I would say I'm Laotian Chinese.
>> Uh-huh.
>> And that I was born here in America, in [inaudible] Valley.
>> Oh interesting. And, oh interesting! You're my first Laos Chinese. I've had a couple of Laos Cambodians. I mean,
Cambodian Chinese [laughing].
>> Oh yeah.
>> Interesting. Is there a big Chinese population of Laos?
>> Here in Fresno, no.
>> No? OK.
>> Not too much.
>> OK.
>> But I know there's a lot in, like, Santa Ana, Westminster area.
>> OK. Really?
>> Yes.
>> I'll have to find that. Laos Chinese. I'm doing a sort of a project on double minorities on Chinese people in southeast
Asia.
>> Oh.
>> So I'll keep you double starred [laughing].
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>> OK [laughing].
>> For another interview later. What is your undergraduate major?
>> It was biology and now I'm going into nursing.
>> Oh great! What is your generation in the United States?
>> Second.
>> What is your father and mother's highest education?
>> For my mother, it would be some college. For my father, it would be a masters.
>> Excellent. That's very rare. That's -- I've, literally you're two out of 30 that have that parents. Wow. What's your
family composition that you grew up in? Like brothers and sisters?
>> Oh, OK. So I just have two older sisters.
>> Did they go to college?
>> Yes. They both graduated college and they're both professionals now.
>> Wow. What college did they graduate?
>> Did they graduate from?
>> Yeah, what college?
>> Oh. My eldest sister graduated from UC Davis and my second, she graduated from Fresno State.
>> Great!
>> Yeah.
>> OK. What is your GPA?
>> I'm not quite sure anymore because it's been, like, fluctuating since I went back to school, but I would maybe say
like overall a 3.6 now.
>> Oh holy moly. That's quite high [laughing]. What's your ultimate degree aspiration?
>> To become a family nurse practitioner.
>> Oh. What is the socioeconomic background that you grew up in? Was it low, working class, middle, affluent, rich?
>> I would say at the beginning, it would have been maybe the lower working class. But now currently now that we're
all grown up and stuff I think we would be a little more like the middle class.
>> Oh, OK. What high school did you go to and was it public or private?
>> I went to Central East High School and it was a public school.
>> Where is Central East High School?
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>> It's on kind of like the outskirts of Fresno. It would be ->> It's in Fresno?
>> Yes.
>> OK.
>> So I believe it's more north of Fresno.
>> North of Fresno. OK. If you're thinking back of your racial and ethnic demographic, what's the percentage at your
high school? Guessing, just guessing.
>> Guessing-wise -- like just as Asians or Laotians?
>> Everyone. Like, what percentage -- if you would guess -- African American? What percentages ->> Oh OK. Actually my school was pretty, like, culturally diverse. So maybe blacks would have been, like, 12%.
>> Oh.
>> Asians maybe like 25 to 30.
>> And what did the makeup of?
>> I'm sorry?
>> What type of Asian?
>> Oh! Mainly like Hmong and Laos. Not too many eastern Asians.
>> Oh, interesting.
>> Let me think. And then there were a lot of Indians.
>> Interesting. Interesting.
>> Yeah. My neighborhood, like, full of Indians [laughing]. But ->> How interesting! OK.
>> Yeah. And then there was like, maybe like 20% -- no, maybe 30% white.
>> Oh!
>> And then a lot of Mexican.
>> Very diverse.
>> Yes.
>> Very diverse. OK. Why do Laos Chinese, why do they go to college and why do they don't go to college?
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>> I think it's just like an expectation from, you know, the adults.
>> Uh-huh.
>> I think there's, like, a lot of pressure going in that you have to maybe major in a certain area and you have to finish.
>> Uh-huh.
>> So I think that's a major reason why a lot of kids go into it and not knowing what to major in.
>> But why do the Laos not go to college?
>> Why do they not? I would say because financial barriers. Some of my friends, they had to work instead for the time
being. And then it just ends up, like, they just never go back to School.
>> Did your college -- did your high school friends go to college and graduate? Or did they not go?
>> Actually, all of my friends. I have a, my Laos best friend, she graduated from CSU Channel Island.
>> Oh, OK.
>> But she did go to UC Riverside to begin with and then she had to come back home to Fresno to community college
and then she went back to CSU Channel. But, yeah, all my friends. Well, not all of them. Some of them are currently in
school.
>> Oh interesting.
>> Yeah, we're still going.
>> Still going? Great. OK. So if you compare -- if you look at the Laos Chinese, or just Laos, their rate of college going
is quite lower than south Indians which is 70%, one of the highest in the nation. Why do you see there's a disparity?
Like Laos it's like 14% graduation, whereas 70. Why is this difference among the Asians?
>> Hmm. The only thing I can think of is that, like, with -- I just feel like with, what is it? The south Indians? Is that
what you called them? They're more financially stable and so they're able to, like, send their kids to school without
worrying about work and stuff.
>> Interesting.
>> But with Laotians, like I said, there's all these financial barriers. Some of them don't really know how financial aid
works or loans. And so it's just like a lot of -- it's just hard when your parents don't know what you're exactly doing and
->> But in this, in your case, both your father got a -- mother got a masters or father had a masters?
>> My father.
>> So then did that help you at all?
>> Actually, he went through a totally different route.
>> Was it a masters in America or masters in Laos?
>> Masters in America, but he -file:///C/...ast%20Asian%20Successful%20Voices/Files%20for%20upload/30_Sherina_Sonksavong_LaoChineseF_PresLoas_STAR.clean.txt[3/10/2022 9:08:33 AM]
>> Wow! OK.
>> Didn't actually go through, like, traditional college here. My father -- this is like a special unicorn thing again, but
[laughing].
>> OK. [laughing]
>> My dad was actually a general surgeon in Laos.
>> A doctor?
>> Yes.
>> Oh! OK. So he's an MD?
>> Yeah, he had one, like, in Laos.
>> Wow. OK.
>> But when we came here, he was just stripped of everything.
>> Right.
>> And so he had to start all over. And so luckily he was able to get into a masters program after, like, years of trying
to, like, prove himself that he was a doctor. Finally he got into a PA program. And so he went through that way. But he
never went through, you know, traditional college where you did like financial aid or had student loans or anything. So
it's kind of hard.
>> PA is very competitive to get into.
>> Yeah.
>> Wow! That's very impressive that your father did that. That's -- OK.
>> But it was kind of hard because he had to, like, start all over.
>> Right. That's really ->> Difficult for him.
>> Definitely. Thinking back, you know, back to you [laughing], do you think that you were prepared by your high
school to go to college?
>> No.
>> Tell me more.
>> I was actually in this program called Ave [phonetic].
>> Tell me more, please.
>> It was supposed to be like a college prep thing that helps you apply for college, do like study habits and stuff.
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>> Mmhmm.
>> And I just didn't feel like it was -- it didn't do what it was set out to do.
>> Mmhmm.
>> Like, I was so confused going in. And you know, I didn't really feel like I was pushed to, like, apply for more.
>> Did they push you to apply to Fresno State only or was it ->> They were really like, oh you should stay in Fresno.
>> Really?
>> Or, you know, we also did, like, field trips, but ->> Where did you go?
>> We went to a couple places, like UCLA.
>> Oh wow!
>> UC Berkeley. Like, we traveled a lot and got to visit the actual campuses but it was, like, nothing more than that in
my opinion. Like ->> Did your sisters going to college, that kind of help you or no?
>> Yeah. I think that was like the main reason why I stuck with school because I had my sisters, my older sisters. That
helped out a lot. They would tell me what classes to take, how to do it, how to manage myself.
>> Excellent. So older sisters.
>> Yeah.
>> So they helped you with the FAFSA, etc.?
>> Yes.
>> Wow. OK. That's a tremendous amount of help. So your father wasn't because he had that different route? OK.
>> Yeah. He didn't help [laughing].
>> Alright. But who helped your first sister when she was by herself?
>> She just kind of was on her own.
>> Oh my goodness! OK. Because she was ->> Yeah. Yeah, that's ->> No one helped her.
>> Exactly. But that's why she's so great [laughing].
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>> Yeah. You should thank her [laughing]. Thinking back, thank god you had those helps. Do you think that you had
any other, like -- OK, so you thought that Avid wasn't successful but your sisters really were helping you successful?
>> Yeah.
>> Do you think that you had any other barriers? So this, the barrier part, is optional. Do you think you had any other
barriers? For instance, if you were a Laos male, would it have been easier to graduate? Or no difference? Because you're
a family of three girls.
>> Yeah. No, I think for Laotian males it's kind of hard because you have, like, a lot more influence from your friends, I
would say.
>> OK. Develop that. I don't know what to say [laughing].
>> I kind of like -- I'll go into a personal story, I guess. I had a Laos boyfriend in college. I have currently one now. But
my ex-boyfriend back then, he was just the type that, like, didn't want to ask for help. He, whenever someone would ask
him to hang out, he would go. Or like, whenever his parents needed anything, small things, he would go out and do it. It
was always like them asking him for help. And I mean, I understand, too, because they didn't speak English that well
either. And I think that's like a huge barrier because, you know, he's expected to, like, help his family all the time and ->> Was he the oldest?
>> No, he was actually the youngest which was strange.
>> Hmm. OK. Yeah.
>> It was very strange. But I guess, like, you know, the eldest had, like a disability and that's why.
>> OK.
>> And the middle child just, like, didn't really care. So it was just him left.
>> OK.
>> As male, as the [inaudible] son.
>> Right. Well thank you for sharing that. I think that's an important insight. So you didn't -- did you have that? Did you
have to take care of kids? Did you have to care for your siblings? Did you have ->> [Inaudible] special [inaudible].
[ Laughter ]
No, I was the youngest and so I didn't really have anything to, like -- besides trying to, like, I had a job throughout
college.
>> Where did you work?
>> I worked as a waitress at a Korean and Japanese restaurant.
>> Oh, Ok.
>> And I did that for the first three years of college.
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>> Mmhmm.
>> And I saw that my grades were, like, sacrificed for that. So finally when I transferred to Fresno State, I told them I
was going to quit.
>> OK.
>> Yeah.
>> OK. So great. So you definitely did work a lot. Any -- do you think -- I didn't ask you any other questions about
barriers?
>> Barriers?
>> Educational? Well, you had your sisters. And then cultural.
>> I think one of the other barriers was like I was expected to go into, like, medicine.
>> Oh, interesting. OK.
>> Yeah. And, like, my older sister was doing, like, she wanted to become an MD. And my second sister wanted to be a
pharmacist. And then with me everyone was just, like, asking me, what do you want to do, Sherina? I don't know. And
then I was just scrambling, trying to figure out what I wanted to do. But I think I was more scared of disappointing my
parents that I didn't really look into what I was interested in.
>> So was this, like, your Laos side? Your Chinese side? Or was it like your family?
>> I think it's like just Asian parents in general.
>> I found for the Filipinos they're highly pushed to be nurses.
>> Nurses.
>> It's very common.
>> Yes. Actually, my dad ->> Why is that? Why? [laughing] You're maybe, like, out of 30 interviews, you're like almost 30 interviews of pushing
the medical. Why is that? Why is that?
>> I think it's because they know that it's such a, like, stable job. And ->> Is it the fear of first generation? They fear you won't get a job and support yourself?
>> Yeah, I think so.
>> Because I have to say all the interviews were pushed into medicine. Like all of them.
>> I think because it's just like a common belief that if you go into medicine, like, you'll be successful. You'll be seen as
successful.
>> Ah, OK.
>> And you won't have to worry about job instability because there's always going to be people who are sick.
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>> OK. OK.
>> And that's what my dad, his reasoning with me is. For actually a long time, he told me, like, oh no. Don't settle for
nursing. So that's what ->> Interesting. OK.
>> Because like ->> Because that's the first one for Filipinos. You must be a nurse [laughing].
>> Yeah! No, my dad was, you know, he used to be a doctor. So he was really pushing me to go into, like, any type of
doctorate.
>> But do you think -- did your sisters? Were they pushed the same?
>> Yes.
>> Really? Your sisters too?
>> Yes.
>> Wow, so you're like the third one. Interesting. And you, it's not the Laos or the Chinese side? It's you think the whole
Asian? How interesting. OK. That is actually kind of a barrier in that you're pushed into a certain field. And I've noticed
in the interviews, they've all said that [laughing]. They were pushed into -- that's, like, down the line.
>> That was like a huge thing ->> Into medical.
>> For, like, my entire undergrad.
>> Wow. OK. So you mentioned you are a unicorn in terms of success. Why are you so successful? Why did you
graduate when some, for whatever reason, did not graduate? How did you do it? Like, what is -- is this your personality
you've always had? Or why did you -- because there's, you know ->> I guess, like, in my personality, yeah, I guess so. I was never like an A plus student, but I was always a good student.
And I would always study and when it came to, like, either hanging out or studying, I would just study.
>> Interesting. But where did you get that? That's the thing. Is it internal?
>> I guess so. Yeah.
>> Did you study in third grade?
>> No [laughing].
>> Sixth grade? High school? [laughing]
>> I think it was when I started college that I realized, like, oh I wasn't prepared for this. I need to start studying.
>> Interesting.
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>> Yeah, because I didn't study at all in high school.
>> And did Avid do you think? It had no effect? Avid had no effect to help you study?
>> I didn't take Cornell notes. I didn't do anything.
>> Oh! You didn't take Cornell -- I heard they teach you that.
>> They teach you that, but I didn't use it.
>> Oh, interesting. OK. Were there any things that you -- how did you switch, though, from not studying in high school
to suddenly studying?
>> I think because I had more time because back in high school I did sports.
>> Oh what did you do?
>> I played tennis.
>> Oh great.
>> Yeah. So back then I just didn't study because I didn't have time.
>> Right, right.
>> But I still had pretty good grades. I think I was just kind of, like, kind of naturally could learn fast, I guess.
>> Oh wow.
>> But in college that was totally different because, you know, like, I wasn't prepared.
>> Interesting.
>> But yeah I realized that and I went to tutoring and all that.
>> I love how you said you went to tutoring.
>> Yeah.
>> How did you get the confidence to go to tutoring because we found in a lot of the interviews students say I'll do it by
myself. I'll help myself.
>> Yeah.
>> That's a common sentiment [laughing].
>> My sisters were the ones who told me to go to tutoring. [laughing]
>> Oh wow. OK.
>> Yeah. So I guess it really does help when someone your age kind of tells you what to do and ->> So your sisters said it. How bad -- did you even know there is tutoring at Fresno State? Like, they just told you?
Because they're from UC Davis, right?
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>> Yeah. Well, I went to community college first, for the first three years. And so did my second sister, second oldest
sister. And she was actually a tutor for a high school. But she, like, went to the tutoring center at Fresno City as well. So
she told me, like, go in for chemistry. Go in for this.
>> Oh!
>> And even then, like, with tutoring I still got like Cs and Ds. But, I mean, imagine if I didn't [laughing].
>> Right. That's a good point. That's a good point.
>> Yeah [laughing].
>> I mean, maybe, right. I'm so glad you went.
>> Yeah.
>> Thinking back about your successful college career, what other bridges helped you? You said your sister for sure.
Your family pushing you. You said Avid was not important. What helped you? Like, bridges. We were talking about the
barriers. What other things helped you, do you think? Did you go to office hours?
>> No, I didn't feel like the counselors were all that helpful at Fresno City. The transfer center was the most help that I
had because they told me exactly what I needed to leave. You know, I know like a lot of my friends got stuck there
because they didn't take the right classes.
>> Right! So how did you take the right classes when actually a large percentage of people who stay in through college,
they never -- so how did you?
>> I went to the transfer center.
>> So you asked for help and they told you?
>> Yeah.
>> Wow! OK.
>> And they made me a little plan. Like ->> OK.
>> Yeah, you only have this much left, so I would say take this this semester and then take that the next and then you'll
be out of here. And I was like, OK.
>> Wow! And you listened?
>> Yeah.
>> That's also a big component. [laughing]
>> Yeah and I actually told my friend that and she told me the same thing. She was like, yeah, I'm so glad you told me
because my counselor was no help but the transfer center told me.
>> So you've been mentoring a lot. I've noticed that you're very helpful. So [laughing] why does it -- what made you
reach out to your friend and actually help her?
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>> Oh she was my best friend that went to Riverside. And she came back and I just wanted her to, like, because I mean
we would talk a lot and she would just tell me, you know, not a lot about her school. But she would just tell me, oh I
went to go talk to a counselor. And I wanted her to, like, leave, you know, with me. And so that was just it.
>> And imagine if you didn't tell her.
>> I know!
>> She -- still there. So it's kind of great that you're so helpful.
>> Yeah.
>> Do you think -- I didn't ask you anything about successful traits that you had to make you successful? Because you're
very successful [laughing] so any other kind of like bridges that helped you? Because I feel like you used a lot of
resources which is great! That's what you're here for. That's what you're here for.
>> I don't know. I guess like networking, too.
>> Networking! Yes! Can you please talk about networking, why it's so important?
>> I don't think I started networking until, like, maybe my last two years of my first undergrad.
>> First of all, define what networking is for students. Like, what is Networking?
>> I think just like meeting different people, making connections, and reaching out to them. And also ->> Exchange your name?
>> Yes.
>> Exchange your emails, numbers.
>> But also not only the reaching out but giving yourself too because you can't just like ask someone for help and not
give them, like, the same back because why would they just help you?
>> Correct.
>> That's how I feel.
>> That's a good point. So offer something. Or exchange.
>> Yeah! Like, if they're, like, holding an event, like attend the event.
>> Good point.
>> Yeah, that's what I learned.
>> Attend the event. Were you a part of Laos Student Club?
>> Yeah, I was actually president.
>> Oh, tell me more. Tell me more. Tell me why it affected you. How did you get there?
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>> It was in 13 through 14. Yeah. And then I just like, I was still in the cabinet for my last year and I'm still helping now
that I'm going back for nursing.
>> So how did you get to that presidency? Because that itself is -- you know, not all students. Most students don't do,
like, [inaudible] and then to get the president. That's -- tell us your story, please.
>> Well, I'm like, well ever since I was little, I would be involved with the community.
>> Ahh.
>> I actually play this little Laos instrument.
>> Oh really? What's it called?
>> The laanat. And it's like a -- what is that called?
>> It's that -- yeah, I've seen it [laughing].
>> And I would play every year [laughing] for, like, for [inaudible]
>> For the community?
>> Yeah.
>> Oh my god! That's great!
>> And so that's something my dad would always, like, push on me. And when I was younger, I hated it.
>> OK.
>> But then I realized when I started going into middle school and high school, like, that it was really rare. And so I got
really into it.
>> Oh.
>> And I kind of lost touch with that when I went to college. I would still perform but I wasn't, like, as into it. And so,
this was after I broke up with my ex [laughing].
>> OK [laughing].
>> [Inaudible] my first [inaudible] ex ->> OK.
>> And I was just like, you know what? I need to make more friends. I need to, like, put myself out there and meet more
Laos people.
>> Great!
>> It was weird because I had a Laos boyfriend but I didn't talk to many Laos people.
>> Wow! OK.
>> Because I was so, like, into school and stuff. And so, like, the year before I left Fresno City, my friend told me,
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Shangtang [phonetic], he kind of reached out to me. Like, hey, we're doing this meet and greet or something at the park
and then I went.
>> Oh! How did he reach out to you? Was it social media?
>> Yeah. He actually knew my eldest sister again. So that was the connection.
>> Oh my god. Small world.
>> He went to UC Davis too.
>> OK. [laughing]
>> Yeah, and so he was like hey, because he was back in Fresno too. He was like, we're doing a meet and greet and so I
went. And it was, like, so much fun. And so he decided that he wanted to create a Laos Student Association at Fresno
City, start it up again.
>> OK, OK.
>> So I was like, yeah, I totally, like, I totally want to be involved and I was so heavily involved in that. Yeah, I was
really involved.
>> And what did you guys do as events?
>> We did, like, cultural events.
>> Ooh. OK.
>> We -- I don't know.
>> Did you do movie nights or anything? Or volunteering?
>> Yeah, we did like movie nights.
>> OK.
>> We tried to make it a lot -- we went on hikes together.
>> Oh, nice! OK.
>> Like, we try to do fun stuff. And yeah, like Christmas parties and stuff.
>> Nice. OK.
>> And then actually, we actually connected with Fresno State [inaudible] and so we do events. And that's when, like,
they needed a president. When I was -- the year that I was transferring, they're like, hey do you want to be president? So
I was like, sure. I mean, I would rather do it the following year so I'm like more settled in but since no one wants to do
it, that's OK with me. That's fine.
>> Yeah! I just love how you did that because that's actually a similar story to all the presidents [laughing] for
Cambodian, for all the Laos. Yeah, it's pretty -- Filipinos. Like, you've got to take the spot.
>> Yeah.
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>> So you like, you kind of like, step up to the plate when needed.
>> Yeah, seriously. [Laughter] That was a lot to take on.
>> You just dived in [laughing].
>> Yes. It was a lot, but I'm so glad I did it because ->> What did you do? Did you -- how did you advertise to the Laos students? And how did you get them in numbers?
>> I don't know. I just created social medias. I tried to be, like, active on there. And then, you know, when I would meet
someone new that I knew was Laotian or was interested in like Asian stuff, I would try to invite them to our meetings.
>> Ah!
>> And I would even ->> Interesting.
>> Personally, like, text message them. And like ->> Direct marketing.
>> Yeah!
>> Yes.
>> [Inaudible] You know, I really want to make them feel welcome. So I'm going to like, really, like ->> Was it successful?
>> Yeah! Yeah. So, like ->> OK. Great!
>> Yeah, I got this one girl. She was like a sophomore or junior and she actually became president the next year.
>> Oh!
>> So it was really cool.
>> Great!
>> Yeah.
>> So actually, that's great that you had such a warm environment, it seems, as president of the Laos Club. How can we
make Fresno State warmer for students?
>> Have more people there willing to, like, make connections, I guess.
>> OK.
>> And like, put in effort to extracurricular, because I know, like --
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>> Extracurricular, OK.
>> I mean, it's not such a great success story. I mean, overall it was great, but there was, like, failures too.
>> Definitely, definitely. So it's great how you kind of jump back from the failure.
>> Yeah.
>> Because we all have failures, so yeah.
>> Yeah, because you know, there was multiple times where I would ask, hey do you want to join? And they're just flatout, no. That's not my thing. I don't do that. And you know ->> But what made you ask again? [laughing] I mean, [inaudible]
>> Well, I would ask again but after a while I would just stop because you know, you can't change someone, but ->> That is correct. Or later [laughing].
>> But, yeah, just don't feel deterred, I guess, because otherwise you wouldn't have all the good stuff afterwards.
>> Great. So here is the fun part. Tell me if you want this. Smaller classes.
>> Yes.
>> Do you want more co-ethnic professors? We hired a Laos professor.
>> Dr. [inaudible]?
>> Yes. More co-ethnics?
>> Yeah.
>> OK. What about more ethnic clubs?
>> Yeah, I would want more ethnic clubs.
>> OK. [inaudible] workshops. What do you want?
>> I want more say into what these workshops.
>> So what would you want? What workshops do you want and need?
>> Because, OK. So you mentioned before, like this past year we had the Laos students come here and I was part of,
like you know, the student panel. I just wish, like, we had, the college students had more say in how it was run because I
felt like it was very out of touch. Yeah.
>> Tell me more.
>> I would just say that ->> How can we touch them? Because we need to touch [laughing].
>> I've gone to UC Davis, the student coalition as well, and I was able to compare the two.
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>> Oh, Ok.
>> And what I liked about that one is that they had, like the privacy and the intimacy to be real with the students. Like,
it felt like the current college students were able to tell the high schoolers, like, this is what it's really like, without the
parents there or the teachers there watching. You know?
>> So generational difference? Right?
>> Yeah. So.
>> OK.
>> And I felt like the older generation, they had a lot to say, which was great but [laughing] some of the stuff was just,
like, didn't pertain to our current generation.
>> That's a great point.
>> So. Yeah.
>> That's why I feel like your interview is so important because the students are like, oh. I know they'll all say, that
person is a first gen. They went through the war! So like ->> Yeah, exactly!
>> Well you're second gen!
>> Yeah, definitely. So it was really, like, I felt like a lot of the kids were -- and I asked them because I know some of
them. They're some of my [inaudible].
>> Little babies.
>> Yeah. And they're just like, it was really boring. [laughing] They repeated the same things a lot. I'm like, OK, I'm
sorry. We're trying.
>> You were trying. They'll come through next year too. Or this year too. So you can convey that to the organizers.
>> But I'm glad that they did it, though because ->> Yeah, for sure. For sure.
>> Because I met a lot of nice kids and even older, you know, professionals. I was able to network there too.
>> First gens. Yeah. So, Sherina, the last question is -- unless there's anything you want to add.
>> No.
>> Those guys, those little guys that you talked to, some were -- I think they're more like sixth graders, seventh graders,
and eighth graders, right? They were like little ->> There's some, mostly high schoolers and middle schoolers. Yeah.
>> Yeah, high schoolers. So they're coming up soon.
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>> Yeah.
>> So this is the time for you to give them advice down the line. What are ten things that you want to say to them?
>> Ten things? That's a lot.
>> I mean ->> OK. I'll just try to think of some. I guess like don't be afraid to ask for help.
>> OK.
>> I know, like, it's really -- so many people say that, but it's really true. Because if you're, you know, if you're
drowning, ask someone for a hand.
>> Right.
>> You know, like, it will help you like down the line.
>> OK.
>> I guess ->> You talked about networking.
>> Oh networking, too. Yeah, it definitely -- attend events.
>> Attend events. And be active in clubs?
>> Yeah, be active in clubs. Yeah, that's the first step. Because, you know, I wasn't always this active. I was pretty shy
before. So just being there at the meetings, it's one step closer. They're just baby steps. You don't have to do it right
away because it's really intimidating.
>> OK. So networking. Ask for help. And join clubs. Be active. OK. Anything else? Because you talked about tutoring
[laughing].
>> Oh yeah. Go to tutoring [laughing]. It's free.
>> Go to tutoring. OK. It's free. Yes. Thank you for mentioning that, please. Thank you.
>> Yeah. It's great. It's really helpful. Even if it won't help you -- I mean, they'll help you with anything. Schoolwork,
tests coming up. Like, these people, like, already took the classes. They know what to expect. Many of them have
already even taken the same professor.
>> Oh, good point!
>> Yeah. They will give you very helpful hints.
>> Very good point.
>> Oh, right. And also, this is a huge one. Make friends in your classes because ->> Yes, make friends.
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>> Because they have ->> Group study!
>> Group studies, but not only that, they have resources.
>> OK.
>> because maybe they have siblings that used to take that professor.
>> Good point.
>> It helped me a lot.
>> That's a great point. So you said you were a tennis player as ->> High schooler.
>> As high schooler. Can you give them any advice? Because they're going to do all this stuff you say. If they do, they'll
be very successful.
>> Yeah.
>> What self-care advice? For them to take care of their bodies, soul, and mind. Their body, because they have stress.
So what can you -- what kind of advice can you give them in terms of, like, you know, [sigh] theirself so they don't feel
so overwhelmed with stress? I mean, what did you do to relieve stress? Or, like I know you play tennis.
>> Yeah.
>> Which is pretty physical.
>> But yeah, like, the first four years of college I didn't work out and so I felt really, like, bad about myself. And also I
gained a lot of weight. Well, it fluctuated. But like when I started working out again ->> Work out!
>> Like, I felt ->> Work out.
>> I felt, like -- it just sounds really, like, materialistic, but I felt pretty.
>> OK.
>> And that felt -- that made me feel good about myself.
>> That's a good point, though. That's your soul is being taken care of.
>> And I felt better, too. LOike when I woke up, I didn't feel all groggy.
>> OK.
>> So I just had more energy and that was good.
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>> And so you made time for yourself to work out? Self-care.
>> Yeah, and it's great because at Fresno State we have a free Rec center, and so maybe like an hour or two before my
first class, I'll go work out. And then I'll shower and then attend class.
>> That is great advice. That is great advice.
>> Yeah. And it's totally free.
>> Totally free. OK.
>> [Laughing] That's what's so great about it.
>> Another free thing!
>> Really. Yes. Because I'm, like, my parents don't ->> Finances are important.
>> They definitely help me.
>> Finances are important.
>> Yeah. With like anything else besides, like, school, if I need it. Or my car. But yeah. I mean, the little bit that I could
save. Like, it's amazing.
>> That is great. Any last tip? You gave me nine. Anything else? Saving money on books? [Laughing]
>> Oh yeah. Buy used books.
>> Buy used books. OK.
>> And then again, make friends with older classmates because maybe they might just give you those books for free.
>> OK. Older classmates. That's a great point.
>> There's also like this Facebook group page. I don't know if all campuses have it but I know Fresno State does, where
like you can post stuff with books you have or what you need. And yeah, they just trade books.
>> Trade books! Yes. Thank you so much. You don't happen to know the website of that?
>> I forgot what it's called.
>> It's OK. Students can look it up themselves, but now they know.
>> Yeah.
>> OK. So thank you so much. These are like 11 great tips that you gave.
>> Oh!
>> So I'm going to close the interview. Thank you so much.
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