Trevor Saephan interview
Item
Title
Trevor Saephan interview
Creator
Saephan, Trevor
Banh, Jenny
Relation
Central Valley Southeast Asian Successful Voices
Coverage
Fresno, California
Date
5/24/2017
Rights
Copyright has been transferred to Fresno State
Identifier
SCMS_casv_00025
extracted text
>> Okay, testing. Today is May 24, and I am interviewing the number 2. Today is May 24 and I am interviewing the
second Central Valley Southeast Asian interview, Trevor Saephan, May 24, 2017. Is this on? [inaudible] Okay. Trevor-so you are two Central Valley. [inaudible] And of course, I'm going to email you back this transcript. Which are just
notes. It's literally just notes.
>> Yeah.
>> So if you want to change it, delete it, anything you want-- even your name, or even delete the whole thing-- feel free.
>> Okay.
>> Okay. All right. And then-- and when I-- if you could actually just email it back and say I approve this-- like, they
are just notes, they are not even sentences.
>> Yeah, yeah.
>> Then tell me if you approve. If you don't approve then I won't ever use it. So I need your approval.
>> Okay.
>> What is the gender that you identify as?
>> Male.
>> Male, okay.
>> What is your birth year?
>> 1983.
>> You are a baby. All right. What is your undergraduate major?
>> It's actually kinesiology with an exercise science influence.
>> Kinesiology [inaudible] What is your generation? Are you a 1.5 generation, a two-point-- and you have the same
questions for you.
>> Okay.
>> A second generation, third generation?
>> I was going to ask you, what is a 1.5 generation?
>> It's like if you were born in like let's say Laos, you came here below the age of like 15 and you kind of grew up but
you came at seven, eight, nine, ten-- [inaudible] 15. But if you go over 15 then your first generation.
>> Okay.
>> But-- some of the kids that came early.
>> I'd be-- I'd probably be second.
>> Oh, then you are second?
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>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. You are second. Wow. Okay. What was your mother's highest education? What was your father's highest
education?
>> I believe my mother has a bachelors.
>> Bachelors-- oh, wow. Okay.
>> And then my dad has a Masters
>> Oh, wow. Okay. Goodness, that's very high. What was your-- what was your family-- like what's the number of
people in your family like before and now?
>> Before, as in like-- childhood?
>> Like, I have like one sister.
>> Uh-huh.
>> That's it.
>> Well, I have->> And my mom died.
>> Okay. So I have a mom and dad, younger brother, younger-- younger sister, then younger brother-- in that order.
>> Okay.
>> I'm the oldest and then now I have a stepsister.
>> So how many is that?
>> Three siblings-- four. So I guess four, now.
>> Plus your two? So that's seven people in your family?
>> I just have my parents.
>> Six?
>> My stepmom.
>> Okay. Seven?
>> Seven.
>> Six people? Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> And now seven? Okay.
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>> Well you can include my nephew too, I guess. Because he lives with us.
>> Okay, yeah. Definitely. Include the nephew.
>> Yeah.
>> Include-- okay. Cool. Great. All right. What is your GPA?
>> You know, I want to say it's around a 3.0 right now.
>> All right. That's pretty good. The average in the US is 2.6. So it's pretty good. It's high.
>> It's okay.
>> What is your ultimate degree aspirations? For sure you are getting a BA?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> What is your ultimate?
>> Ultimate goal is actually physical therapy. So I would actually be-- I would actually end up being-- having to get my
doctorate.
>> Oh, wow.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Awesome. So a PhD in kinesiology?
>> Physical therapy.
>> Physical therapy. Oh, cool. Okay. All right. What would you say your socioeconomic background was? Was it
working-class, middle-class, affluent? It's whatever you self-define as. It's whatever [inaudible]
>> I would say it's pretty low at first.
>> Okay.
>> Growing up, anyways. Like at the younger like more->> Mm-hmm.
>> From like ages 1 to 10-- or 1 to like 7.
>> Okay.
>> And then my parents-- well my dad finished school by then and my mom finished school later. And then you know I
would say about working-class then.
>> Okay. Okay. Great. What was your school type? Was a public school or private school? And can you name your
high school name?
>> Public. First I went to Mount Whitney High School.
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>> Mount Whitney-- is this in Fresno?
>> No, it's in Visalia.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> High school in Visalia. Okay.
>> I was there until halfway through sophomore year.
>> Okay.
>> And then transferred over to Golden West High School.
>> Okay.
>> Also in Visalia.
>> Then Golden West. What was the ratio-- and again, it's up to you to your own definition-- but what was the racial
ethnic makeup of your high school?
>> I don't know the exact percentages, but the lowest at Golden West because I was there the majority of the time, is
actually Blacks.
>> Oh, okay.
>> And I believe it was Asians.
>> Okay.
>> And I want to say it's a tossup between Hispanics and Anglos [phonetic].
>> Oh, wow. Okay.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Interesting. What is your favorite subject? What is your least favorite subject? And why?
>> Least favorite subject is probably English.
>> English?
>> Yeah. My favorite subject is probably something like-- basically anything that has to do with like either like
chemistry or the study of the human body.
>> Ooh.
>> Yeah. Which is kind of how I got into this idea of physical therapy and kinesiology.
>> And then why is-- what is your least favorite and why is it your most favorite?
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>> Least favorite just because it takes a while for me to get into the actual writing mode and reading. But once I get into
it I'm into it. But it takes a while for me to get into it.
>> Okay.
>> And then my favorite because I like understanding how things work. I also like experimenting with like [inaudible]
chemicals.
>> Okay. Cool.
>> But, for the whole body thing is [inaudible] to promote like that her health in general.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Interesting. Very important.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> What is your favorite and least favorite teacher or professor? Why or why not?
>> That's hard.
>> You can skip it if you want.
>> Yeah. I'll have to think about that. There's a lot of people.
>> Okay. We can come back. It's not, you know. Okay. And then-- again, if you don't know this answer because I've
asked this to Cambodians and [inaudible]-- how many Mien go to college and-- again, most people don't know. I
personally don't know.
>> Right.
>> So-- I don't know myself. I tried to look it up, too.
>> Yeah.
>> So do you happen to know? If not, it's a wash.
>> How many Mien? Maybe there's no number, I know that. I don't think anyone's actually taken the general census of
that number, to be honest.
>> Yeah. I think that would be-- I have no one either.
>> Yeah. All I know is that there are different regions of where Mien people live and I only know a few people-- I only
know people that I know that go to school. And that's it.
>> Okay. Interesting.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. All right. So, we are 20% in. Do-- and again-- did your high school have Mien students?
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>> We had some, yeah.
>> Okay. So here the question is, do Mien students have strong relationships with administrators or faculty? Why or
why not?
>> I think at Golden West, anyway, they had a pretty decent relationship only because I think at Golden West, the-- like
being able to like identify-- I don't know. Hold on. How do I say this? I think they were very good about including
everybody.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Yeah.
>> In what way?
>> They really tried to.
>> What did they do?
>> Well, we had a-- I want to say more so, unfortunately, just like more like our-- one of our assistant principals-- he
was Hispanic. And he would actually-- him and another guy would actually go around and talk to like everybody not
just like some students.
>> Oh, wow. Okay.
>> Yeah, so-- it was easy to talk to him.
>> Awesome.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. Now, I get back to you. But have you ever been mentored?
>> Mentored by->> Anyone. Like high school, college->> College I would say more so is when I got into like having someone to look up to or talk to. High school I had-- I
would say besides like family-- I had a friend named David.
>> David? Okay.
>> Yeah. He's older than me. He's like 28 now. 27, 28?
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. He's kind of like a big brother figure. Kind of like-- he was the youth leader, also. So->> Oh, wow. Okay. What do you-- it's a Christian relief?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Oh, wow.
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>> Yeah, yeah.
>> Okay. So it was big brother. So you had a-- okay. Interesting.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. So let me put that down. Christian-- is that part of a church?
>> Yeah. There's actually a Mien congregation in Visalia.
>> Oh, there is?
>> Uh-huh. It's not very big, but, you know, there is a community there.
>> How interesting. Because I thought Mien were Buddhist or Taoist.
>> They are mostly Taoist. But surprisingly enough there is actually a decent number of Mien Christians.
>> How interesting. Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Very interesting.
>> In fact, I'm going to youth camp like in two months.
>> That's awesome.
>> Yeah. And I wish you could go to that, actually. You would see so many of us there. [inaudible] Yeah. That would
be cool.
>> College graduates? In college?
>> Not all of them.
>> I can't go below 18.
>> I know. But there would be a lot of us who are college graduates there.
>> Really? Okay.
>> Or in college.
>> Okay.
>> They will be the counselors and the coaches.
>> Usually I like to go in within the 25 range. You are my youngest, actually. Because my last one was 57. But->> Most of the ones that graduated and are still in college, they are older.
>> Oh, yeah. Yeah.
>> Some of them are around 30.
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>> Yeah, yeah.
>> Yeah. That's-- I usually go-- -- only because I know you.
>> Right, right. [inaudible]
>> I was like oh, [inaudible] great. Okay. What were the-- because I am trying to be respectful of your time. So I don't
want to go over time.
>> Oh, no. You are fine.
>> What were the teacher expectations of you?
>> Teacher expectations?
>> With a neutral, low, or high?
>> I kind of-- expectations wise if it's like a good teacher or something, I would you know one that actually interacted
with the class not really monotone or just straight to the all right here's what it is, do this. That's the kind of stuff I don't
like. I like teachers who actually interact. Maybe try to lighten the mood or keep the class-- keep the class' attention. But
I go in pretty neutral. I don't try to expect too much because I know it's not that way. You know I mean?
>> Okay.
>> Is life.
>> Yes. How do teachers treat you and your co-ethnics [phonetic]? And this way I mean [inaudible] when I say co-- I'm
going to say Southeast Asian.
>> Mm-hmm. I would say in general, there's not like any special treatment of any kind. At least I don't see any. So->> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Were there any notable media depictions of your ethnic group-- and in this case it would be Mien-- any notable
depictions media?
>> Media? I mean we are not really in the media.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. Maybe like a few instances here and there.
>> Okay.
>> But not really in the media to be honest.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> All right. Did you feel that you had [inaudible] do you think that you fulfill-- that you have significant academic
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preparation for college?
>> I think so. Yeah.
>> Okay. All right. So that's one-third is done. And now we are going into barriers and then we go into successes.
>> Okay.
>> So, all right. But the money is in the successes because I have to-- I'm going to put you all together and see what you
guys want.
>> Got it.
>> All right. So in this case you are going to talk about just Mien group. You can talk about yourself if you want, but
just your group. Okay? Do you think that there any barriers to Mien educational success?
>> Oh, yeah.
>> So here you can look at the cultural, educational, financial, structural, health, gender-- so I guess we can go in order
for-- and again, you can speak for yourself or your entire group but-- since you are kind of a leader, feel free to speak
for the entire group.
>> All right.
>> It's up to you.
>> What did you say?
>> Oh-- yeah.
>> Oh, barriers.
>> Yeah, yes. I'm going to ask you the same exact questions->> Okay.
>> -- but for like success. Like what are the things that [inaudible]
>> Oh, okay.
>> And then I eventually-- I do want to help the graduation rates.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Our graduation rates for Fresno State was good it was 100 students. That was great for the Asians. But at the
Chicano graduation there was 1018.
>> Yeah.
>> So it was 100 Asians versus one-- I mean-- in general, Asians graduate higher.
>> Yeah.
>> But it was a striking difference.
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>> Uh-huh.
>> So, I'm definitely-- I really appreciate you answering these questions because I really want to collect like what we
can do to get more Trevors in the classroom. But in general, and you can speak for Mien or also Southeast Asian men in
general, because it is a gender issue. The women are making it through fine.
>> Yeah.
>> The men-- particularly Vietnamese men-- are not-- and Cambodian men-- I don't-- have no idea for Mien-- but are
not as high. Right? All right. So do you see any cultural issues for Southeast Asians, Mien in particular or Southeast
Asians in general.
>> I think cultural is-- a lot of people end up going to find jobs right away after high school. Because they need money
or they want money help provide with family. That's usually one of the things. Some people for example, that I know of,
start families early so they have to go find work.
>> Okay.
>> So it made it harder to fit in to go to school.
>> What do you mean started families early?
>> They had kids. Like Shirley [phonetic].
>> At 18?
>> Or younger.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Mm-hmm. You know, teen pregnancies and stuff.
>> Okay.
>> It's not like the most uncommon thing. Especially with like if you in and say like the 1.5 generations->> Yes.
>> That's pretty common. I would say it's more common.
>> [inaudible] generation.
>> Yeah.
>> What would you say for your generation- the second gen?
>> Second gen, I was say there's an increase of people going to school. I think->> Yeah.
>> -- the 1.5 generation and the first generation really [inaudible] started going to school more.
>> Yeah.
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>> Yeah.
>> My generation-- the first didn't really go to school, but->> Yeah.
>> -- for 1.5 it's a 50/50.
>> Yeah.
>> You guys->> Yeah. I was-- yeah. They all encouraged their grandkids and children and nephews->> Yeah.
>> -- to go to school. They want them to actually finish school now.
>> So you would say definitely a cultural thing is the second gen or 1.5 encouraged the-- I mean-- the 1.5 and the first
gen encouraged the second gen to go to college?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Okay.
>> Because I think they-- you know, first, before, like you know, just find work, get work done. That's kind of like the
norm.
>> Mm-hmm. Yeah.
>> Back at home-- home countries and stuff. You know, like do work and all that stuff, but I think they've come to
realize now that you can get better jobs->> that is true, yes.
>> -- working after going to school.
>> In your case, did you have like a-- did you have uncles who were 1.5?
>> Or->> I would say my->> Or your parents are 1.5->> -- my parents were all 1.5.
>> Okay.
>> And->> Oh, okay. [inaudible]
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>> Because he was young. He was under 15.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Yeah.
>> So he's-- then he-- I guess he would be 1.5.
>> Yeah, technically.
>> But how old were your parents when they came here?
>> I think my dad was-- barely starting middle school or about to->> Oh->> -- age-wise-- or about to be->> -- oh, yeah.
>> -- or like later elementary school age. I forgot, his age, actually.
>> Oh wow, he's totally 1.5.
>> Yeah.
>> I thought your parents would be first generation.
>> Yeah.
>> But they're not.
>> They're not quite, no.
>> Oh, wow. So they're very Americanized.
>> Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
>> They're pretty Americanized.
>> Oh, my gosh. Okay.
>> They still hold everything-- like they still know the language and everything, but they're also-- so that's why-- yeah.
1.5 is actually very accurate.
>> Oh, wow.
>> More 50/50.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Because my parents came here when they were 27.
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>> Yeah. My grandma->> So->> -- would be the one that came->> Wow. Okay. Oh, so that's very interesting. You're a different generation. What do you think are the educational
barriers to Southeast Asians? And can you speak for Southeast Asian males?
>> Educational barriers-- I think-- let's see-- [inaudible] Oh, yeah. Go for it. I think for going to school-- were you
asking for school or success?
>> I think educational success.
>> Educational success.
>> What are the barriers for Southeast Asians in general? I mean, you mentioned for sure you mentioned starting a
family and getting teen pregnancy. But what educationally do you see that's an issue for Southeast Asians and Southeast
Asian Males in particular?
>> I think one of the biggest reasons, actually, is just finding the funds to go.
>> Uh-huh. So, finding the funds.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Even me, I had to take a year off just because I couldn't afford it. And then I decided to take loans out.
>> Okay.
>> I didn't want to, but I wanted to get back. I think another one that was a-- that would actually probably interest like
the males in general, is actually just-- I think just more recognition.
>> Okay.
>> Amongst like the community. Because you know, you hear a lot about like-- you even hear a lot of Hmong people
now.
>> You do.
>> Yeah, but like, especially in this area.
>> Okay.
>> But you don't really hear anything about Mien people. People still don't know->> That is correct.
>> -- they still don't know who we are.
>> That is correct.
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>> And they ask us. Like I'll tell them I'm Mien. Oh, what's that? And then I'll have to explain it's similar to Hmong.
Then I tell them how we're different.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. It's crazy.
>> Well, how-- tell me. How are they similar? How are you different?
>> Similar in the sense that we're both like originally-- originated from like small ethnic groups in China, and then we
both you know, like migrating and traveling downwards until we're into like, I guess you can call it Siam at one point,
and then Laos. So, Laos and Thailand.
>> Okay.
>> And then, actually-- you know, eventually we both got involved into the secret war. Like both Hmong and Mien.
There's actually people in the Mien that were like I think very important figures for us, too. I forgot what his name was.
>> Was it General Vang Pao, but the Mien version?
>> Yeah. Kind of.
>> Oh, you should have done your [inaudible]
>> My uncle-- my great-uncle actually->> Uh-huh. Okay.
>> -- was part of the war. He's passed away, now.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. So, I couldn't get too much info from him. I actually want to do him, but->> Oh, see. That would be a great infographic.
>> Yeah. [inaudible] Yeah. [inaudible] Right. And so, that's how they're similar. But the only difference is-- the real
difference is like the language and->> Okay.
>> Slight culture differences, but that's just you know-- because it's like two different-- I guess like two different groups
of people in China at like-- when they first came.
>> Okay. Are there still a couple million Mien in China?
>> There's more. There's a couple more million Mien->> Oh->> -- in Asian.
>> Oh, wow.
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>> I mean Asian countries.
>> Oh, wow.
>> I think->> Are they in Vietnam?
>> I think some are in Vietnam. We even have some in like European counties.
>> Oh.
>> Like, small, small, small amounts.
>> Wow.
>> Yeah. I found out I have cousins in Denmark or something like that. I didn't know that.
>> You're kidding.
>> No.
>> College degree in Denmark.
>> Oh-- I might think about it. No.
>> Meet them. Okay. So, if you're looking at Mien, would you say there's a cultural difference or even a health issues or
barriers, or is there a gender-- I guess speaking for Mien women, do you think there are any differences that Mien
women are treated versus Mien males? Are they encouraged more, less encouraged or the same? For college.
>> For college. I think they-- I think women probably-- they are probably encouraged more, I think.
>> Really?
>> I think so.
>> Hmm. Okay.
>> Only reason because-- like, well-- I-- back then like I would say maybe 10 years ago or something, like it's not like
that long ago it was probably like that. Only because a lot-- you know, like I said, a lot of times men were seen as the
guys that needed to go find work.
>> Oh, okay.
>> So, but now-- it's not how it is now. I would say everyone's probably more Americanized now.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Interesting. Okay.
>> Mm-hmm.
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>> So, you said that like years ago, more women were encouraged because men had to find work immediately, but the
second generation you're saying that both are encouraged for college?
>> Yeah. I wouldn't say-- I mean I wouldn't say that they weren't encouraged. They were encouraged to go necessarily,
but like they were probably-- they had like I guess the better option or more->> They had more options?
>> Because someone else is already going out to help provide for the family, they had reason to I guess finish school.
You know what I mean?
>> That's a great point.
>> Yeah. They could go to school, I guess. Yeah.
>> That's a very important point, thank you. Were you-- did you ever have to take care of your parents, siblings, or
others?
>> Yeah, my parents divorced, actually, so I did end up taking care of my siblings a lot.
>> And would you have to also take care of your grandparents?
>> No. They're pretty-- they're pretty self-sufficient.
>> Really? Okay.
>> In fact, my grandmother walks to the strawberry farm all the time.
>> Oh, wow. That's incredible.
>> Yeah, she had stomach cancer too, and she beat that, and then she decided to go back out anyways, and I'm like all
right, grandma.
>> Oh, gosh. Okay.
>> Crazy.
>> That's-- I'm glad she beat that.
>> She's-- oh, yeah.
>> How old is your grandmother?
>> She's mid-- late 60's?
>> Oh.
>> I want to say. She's not->> She's very young.
>> She's pretty-- almost 70? She's getting there.
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>> Okay.
>> Because my dad's only mid-40's.
>> Wow, okay.
>> Yeah.
>> So, do you think-- you can either speak for Asians in general [inaudible] or Southeast Asians, but do you think
society looks at Asians as success or do you think they look at them as a not success in education. I know you took a
class about minorities, so->> You know-- I know like I agree with the whole Asian minority thing, but I think that kind of leans more towards like
Chinese people.
>> Okay.
>> Only because-- only not->> [inaudible] minority myth, right?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> And the only reason is because most people identify Asians as Chinese or Japanese.
>> Yes.
>> That's the reason why.
>> That is true.
>> Yeah.
>> So, do you think it doesn't say the full story for Southeast Asians?
>> Not at all.
>> Okay.
>> There's only-- definitely not first generation.
>> Okay.
>> 1.5 generation there's a couple who are doing well now, but even if they're doing well-- they went to school and
everything, doesn't mean that they're like-- it doesn't mean they're rich or anything. It just means they're doing better or
they're well-off now.
>> Okay. Great. So, now it's 50% done. So now we're going into successes.
>> Okay.
>> And this is where I'm like really interested in what your opinion because, you know, I really would like to improve
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the graduation rate, and so I think everything you say will be dually noted, okay?
>> Okay.
>> So just like I asked you what are the culture, gender [inaudible] okay. So, what do you think you are a success. You
are a leader in the Mien community as well as Susie, and that will continue and even get greater as you get older. Now,
talk about your ethnic group or Southeast Asians, what do you think about personally about your personality has made
you a success in college?
>> Personality?
>> Yeah. Just you.
>> Yeah.
>> Just Mr. Trevor.
>> I've been told I'm a very bright person-- outgoing.
>> You are very bright. That's a for sure.
>> Uh-huh.
>> And who told you you were very bright?
>> Just about everybody I know.
>> Okay.
>> They tell me I'm very outgoing. I would be identified as ENFP.
>> What's that?
>> It's like super extroverted.
>> Is that the Meyer Briggs->> Yeah. Yeah. I'm like at the opposite spectrum of someone who like sits in a corner.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. So, okay. So do you think you have a very rare personality? Is that why [inaudible]
>> I wouldn't say it's rare. I just think->> We can-- this is like a psychology thing, and I don't want to get into that.
>> Yeah.
>> I was going to say-- but->> I mean, do you think-- I mean-- teachers have always liked you since K through 5? Five to twelve?
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>> I think so.
>> Okay.
>> I think I've been pretty positive in classes. I mean, yeah-- you know, I can get a little rowdy, don't get me wrong.
And I understand that. I work on that. But I think for the most part I never really had issues like with teachers or even
like people's parents tend to like me. I don't even know why, what I do, but they tend to like me.
>> Interesting.
>> Yeah.
>> So, you do. You have a very outgoing personality. Okay. Okay.
>> This totally cracked.
>> It's really good. Oh, is it cracked?
>> Yeah. Look at that.
>> Oh, crap.
>> I just realized.
>> I'll get a new one.
>> No, it's okay.
>> Oh, we can exchange it. Really, it's cracked?
>> I think so. It's like leaking.
>> Oh, damn it! Okay.
>> I just noticed it was spilling, that's all.
>> Okay. Well, okay. We'll get a new one.
>> That's okay.
>> Okay.
>> I'll still eat it. Don't worry about it.
>> No, no. We'll get a new one. Do you want to take a break? I can just switch really quick.
>> It's okay.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> So, any other-- so you're a very bright person. You identify on the Meyer Briggs as-file:///C/...ral%20Valley%20Southeast%20Asian%20Successful%20Voices/Files%20for%20upload/2_Trevor_Saephan_Mien_Male.clean.txt[3/10/2022 9:01:21 AM]
>> Yeah.
>> Teachers have always liked you, and even your people's parents have always liked you. Anything else about your
personality that->> I've been told I'm sympathetic->> Okay.
>> -- also. And I got more curious about that. And it's just-- and I doing my research I guess it's just your ability to
identify with how people feel.
>> Okay.
>> Like for example, you could-- like watching a movie and then like starting to cry over a scene because you feel
terrible about that scene->> Okay.
>> -- and how that person might feel, even though it's not real. Something like that.
>> So, you're kind of like emotionally-- is it you have a heightened [inaudible]?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Only certain people have that. Not everyone has that.
>> Yeah it's-- I think so. Which I found was weird, too. I didn't know that about myself until recently.
>> Not everyone has that high emotional quotient that makes you go forward in life. Okay. Okay, so that's the-- is there
anything else that you want to add about your personal self? So, after that we'll move on to family enablers.
>> Okay.
>> What do you think about your family in particular, that's made your successful, and in high school, in college, and
also in K through 12.
>> Both parents very much told me, focus on school.
>> Oh, really?
>> Yeah.
>> Wow, okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Both parents?
>> Both parents. They want me to go to school. They also want me to achieve whatever dreams I have.
>> Interesting.
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>> Yeah.
>> And how did they tell you to both-- so both your parents told you to focus on school?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> And achieve your dreams?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay, but what did they actually say?
>> My dad always told me-- what was it-- Trevor, no matter what, you're education is very important and I want you to
finish, and no matter how long it takes you, just make sure you finish.
>> Okay. What was his reasoning?
>> I think for him, because he did go through school and everything, he wanted to see me succeed as well->> Okay.
>> -- and be able to like be comfortable to provide for myself as well in the future.
>> Okay. And then since you are the trail blazer in your family, like you're the first out of all your siblings, what effect
do you think you're going to have on your little-- is it little brother and little sister?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> What effect do you think that them growing up knowing that you're in college and will graduate, what effect do you
think it will have on them?
>> I think it's a very big effect. Because I'm actually very close with my siblings. In fact, like you know, we go on trips
together every now and then. They're old enough for me to take them there.
>> Oh, great.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay-- into the Christian thing tomorrow or-- too young?
>> No, they're not too young. They're actually getting on the older side now because it's->> Okay.
>> -- we, at the camp-- it's youth camp, so it's like middle school to high school.
>> Uh-huh.
>> And then anyone that's older helps out or is like a leader of some sort.
>> But your little brother-- are they in high school?
>> Yeah. My little brother is in high school. So is my step sister. They're actually the same age, which is kind of funny.
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>> Oh, okay.
>> They're like twins, and I don't even know how that happened.
>> How cute.
>> Yeah.
>> And then they're going with you to the congregation?
>> They do. My dad is actually Christian, also.
>> Okay.
>> That's actually how it started, in a sense. I guess it could be like he's the one who kind of opened the doors for that
route.
>> Trail blazer.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Okay. So, what effect do you think you'll have on your brother and sister from them seeing you go to college?
>> The fact that they see me going to school and trying even though I've had some setbacks, I think it would be
important because you know->> What effect do you think that them seeing you going through your setback and actually like succeeding after, what
effect do you think seeing [inaudible]
>> I think it will encourage them to stay in school. Because-- even my dad has me like try to talk to them about it every
now and then. He's like hey Trev [phonetic] when you get a chance every now and then just talk to your younger
brothers and sisters.
>> Oh, interesting.
>> Continue to encourage them to do good in school and stuff.
>> And what do you say to them, then?
>> Casually, I'll walk up, hey, Chandler->> His brother's name is Chandler?
>> His name is Chandler. It's like, how are you doing in school? And he will be like oh, doing pretty good-- blah, blah,
blah. And this stuff and he's like I did kind of bad and I will be like step it up.
>> Oh, really?
>> He knows I'm joking, but->> Okay.
>> I'm not like super cold, you know, but I joke with him.
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>> Okay.
>> And so they know I'm keeping up with them also.
>> Oh, good.
>> I'm always-- I come in and check on them. The same thing with my sister. So, the middle child, sister-- Beverly-she's in college now.
>> Oh, wow.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Really got to help her out.
>> Okay.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> So then what about Chandler's twin or whatever->> Oh, the step-sister? Our step-sister?
>> So, what do you tell her? Do you tell her the same thing?
>> Same kind of->> Or is it gender->> -- same kind of thing.
>> Okay.
>> I try to-- because they're both around the same age, but she-- obviously she's a girl, and Chandler is a guy, so->> Okay.
>> -- I joke slightly differently.
>> Okay.
>> Just because, you know-- different personalities or whatever.
>> So, what will you tell Beverly? Would you say the same thing?
>> Beverly I can be more straight forward with because she's older.
>> Okay. What do you say?
>> I'll tell her, hey. You need to stop messing around.
>> Okay.
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>> Get your grades up, work hard, I know you can do it. That's what I tell her.
>> Okay. Do you ever->> She's a smart girl. She's just-- sometimes she gets caught up.
>> Do you ever mention anything about being Asian or Southeast Asia or the history of the family, or is it just
Chandler, do better. Beverly, do better.
>> I mention sometimes about the family and some of the culture things. I told my-- like I tell my kids-- them all the
time, I was like, hey, look-- Mom and Dad came here not knowing any English, and they still succeeded in school.
>> Okay.
>> What do you have to say about that? And I tell them that.
>> Wow, that is a very good cultural->> Yeah.
>> Okay. Okay. Awesome. Okay. Great. Is there anything else that you do in your family that helps you succeed in-that helps-- not just you but your other family? Like so, the talking, that your father asks you and him telling you to talk>> Mm-hmm.
>> Anything else? Has your mom said anything about school?
>> My mom is similar in that sense. She's always trying to get us to do like these summer programs and-- well, like
when we were younger.
>> Oh, okay.
>> She was like Trevor, this would be a good opportunity for you because it will help you have money for college later,
and it's like a thing that her work does.
>> Okay.
>> So she's always trying to do things like that.
>> And how about your aunts and uncles? Did they encourage school?
>> They encouraged school, but I don't know necessarily how-- -- like how adamant they are about it. I know all their
kids-- the kids that are old enough are in school right now. There's only so many of us right now in my generation of
kids. I think there's only-- four or so of us right now that are old enough to go, and then the other one does not go to
college.
>> Did your cousins go to college?
>> They are currently in college.
>> Okay.
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>> Yeah. They're actually younger. Two of them are younger than me, one is older than me, but he's not in college.
>> Was he a 1.5?
>> No. But he-- did he finish high school? I can't remember if he got his diploma or not.
>> So, speaking of your cousins->> Uh-huh.
>> -- how come they went college and the number one cousin didn't go to college?
>> I think he had some internalized issues with his parents.
>> Okay.
>> Conflicts. They-- I don't want to talk bad, but they didn't have a good relationship.
>> Okay.
>> So, I think that was part of it. Because I've talked to my cousin about it, and he's mentioned it a few times. He's like
it makes me not even want to do anything. He just wants to get out of the house, really.
>> So, speaking of, now-- you talked about how your father encouraged you to talk to your little brother and sisters, you
talked about how your mother telling you to do summer programs.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Specifically, were there any church, dance, cultural groups, institutions, teachers, friends, that helped you achieve
where you're at now? Like, if you looked back at your life, you talked about church-- that's a big one.
>> Yeah.
>> Family, and then you talked about your mom telling you, but what about-- I don't know if you're on a dance team,
but->> I used to be.
>> Okay. Cultural groups, friends, I mean you talked about your mentor, right?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Anything else you think that-- like that's a very strong package you have mom and dad, plus you have church, that's
like, those are->> Mm-hmm.
>> Was there anything else that-- do you think that within the community that encouraged you to be successful in
college?
>> I think the fact that the-- at least the Mien community in like the Central Valley is starting to get really good about
celebrating success in school.
>> Oh, okay.
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>> Yeah. So, like every year we have-- it's the Mien New Year->> Okay.
>> -- which is like the Chinese New Year.
>> Mm-hmm. When in the Mien New Year?
>> February.
>> Okay.
>> I forgot the actual date.
>> Mein New Year. Okay.
>> It's in our calendar, basically.
>> Okay. February-- go on.
>> And so, we do those every year, there's a special section that's dedicated for the High School graduates of that year.
>> Oh, interesting.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> So you get recognized by the entire community.
>> Yeah. So I think that's a good think that's a good thing that they're trying to do right there.
>> Okay.
>> Definitely helping.
>> Okay. Very cool.
>> Yeah.
>> Where is the Mien New Year?
>> As of recently, it's been like in [inaudible]. There's a hall there that we use.
>> What's rosey [phonetic]?
>> [inaudible] It's a small town.
>> How do you spell it?
>> O->> O->> R-file:///C/...ral%20Valley%20Southeast%20Asian%20Successful%20Voices/Files%20for%20upload/2_Trevor_Saephan_Mien_Male.clean.txt[3/10/2022 9:01:21 AM]
>> R->> I don't even know. Let me look it up really quick.
>> A-rosey? [phonetic]
>> It's very small.
>> Is this in Visalia?
>> It's like slightly north of Visalia.
>> Okay, north of Visalia. It's a city?
>> Yeah. Rosey color [phonetic]. It's like-- do know where [inaudible] is?
>> No. I'm not from this area.
>> Oh, that's right.
>> Sorry.
>> So-- do you know? Oh, yeah. So Visalia is->> I'll find it.
>> Yeah. It's not that far from Visalia.
>> So, during that Mien New Year, the high school students they all are recognized? And what, would they call their
names up?
>> Yeah, they mention the names, and they have like a little-- I think they give them a small-- what's the word I'm
looking for?
>> Plaque? Certificate?
>> Yeah, that and then a scholarship.
>> Oh, wow!
>> A small one. Not super huge, but it's definitely something to encourage them about.
>> It is, it is. And then what about for BA's? Do they do anything for college at all?
>> We don't have anything for that, as of right now.
>> You'll have to start later.
>> We could.
>> You can start later-- every year.
>> I think as-file:///C/...ral%20Valley%20Southeast%20Asian%20Successful%20Voices/Files%20for%20upload/2_Trevor_Saephan_Mien_Male.clean.txt[3/10/2022 9:01:21 AM]
>> Yeah.
>> -- the generations get older, or our generations get older we'll probably start doing that.
>> And there's going to be more AA's and BA's.
>> Right.
>> That's for you to start.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Okay. What makes-- it seems like you're very goal oriented. What makes you pursue or do-- what makes you pursue
like leader-- I mean, these are obviously leadership roles that you've done in your family and in the community as well
as in Fresno. What makes you pursue leadership roles? Or Mien in general? Like, what-- why have you done these
leadership roles?
>> I think it's the fact that I actually care for like the younger generations.
>> Okay.
>> I have a pretty strong-- well, I have a pretty soft spot in myself for like kids, so, I think that's probably why. You
know, I mentioned like my parents got divorced and all that stuff. I had some difficulties growing up. So I know how
hard it can to be growing up and trying to go to school at the same time. You don't really care, and so->> Okay.
>> Because I had a good support group.
>> Okay.
>> And good parents I was able to-- you know-- overcome that. Because it could have been easy for me to just like step
out and not do anything. But I didn't. Because I had a lot of people supporting me and encouraging me. So that's why I
want to be able to help other people.
>> So when you see people that don't graduate such as Southeast Asian males, why do you think some Southeast Asian
males are not persisting? Because I think you answered the question->> Yeah.
>> -- like earlier, and we may have the option, but in particular, do you-- I mean, is there anything else you see like why
Southeast Asian males are not you know, as high as women?
>> I think again, it kind of goes with this support group. See, for me, my grandma tells me to go to school and finish,
but I don't know about everybody else. A lot of people-- a lot of people's grandparents actually kind of do their own
thing.
>> Okay.
>> They're very focused on like, their ag work because that's their way of life right now. And I think that's the
difference.
>> Oh.
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>> See, even though my grandma does ag work a lot, she stills calls me every now and then. She knows how to use a
cell phone.
>> Oh, wow. That's impressive.
>> She-- mm-hmm.
>> Very impressive. She knows numbers.
>> Holy moly [phonetic].
>> She knows-- she's doing quite well. She doesn't->> That's->> -- her English is not fluent, but she knows enough. She knows some words.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> But she does call me every now and then asking me how I'm doing, make sure to do well in school also.
>> So she's like basically like what you're doing for your little brother.
>> Yeah.
>> So it's like a chain.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> So she checks up on everybody. And here's the thing. My grandma is not just to one person. She checks on
everybody.
>> Really?
>> Yeah. We always talk about how our grandma will call us randomly one time and tell us to be safe and don't go
outside and all these random thing. Remember, like a couple years ago, she was like, you're going to be home alone this
weekend, huh? And I was like yeah, and she was like, okay, don't play with fire.
>> Okay, that's cool.
>> Yeah. She's just real-- she's very caring, you know?
>> Very-- all that.
>> You can definitely tell.
>> Awesome.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> All right.
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>> I think I'm very lucky with that as well.
>> Great. Well, this is actually a question I-- this is the last few questions-- and then the last, last question is actually do
you think I should ask any other questions, or do you want to volunteer anything else or do you think I should ask any
additional questions to improve college rates? Like, but this is my last three questions. Let's see-- Okay, so-- this is
actually from-- okay, so the last question, if you see on the thing-- is actually for African Americans. This one guy, Sean
Harper [phonetic]->> Mm-hmm.
>> -- he's doing his own study on African American men, because African American men also have a lower graduation
than African American women, and so I actually took this question from him. So, if it doesn't apply, just say no
applying.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Okay? Because this is a question particularly for African American men.
>> Okay.
>> Despite transition issues, racist stereotypes, and academic unpreparedness, are there other negative forces towards-and for him it was African American men->> Right.
>> But for you, it would be for Southeast Asian men.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Do you think there's any negative forces toward Southeast Asian men in general? Other than stereotypes, academic
unpreparedness, transition, all those usuals [phonetic].
>> Yeah.
>> Do you think any particular to Southeast Asian men?
>> Mm-hmm. I think if you're going to look at negatives, a lot of them are actually involved in gangs at one point.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> So, I know a lot of us are seen as like probably like scruffy, thug-ish [phonetic] looking people. And growing up I
was around some of that. I was-- quite a few of that-- a lot of that, too, actually. So->> There are Asian gangs? There are Asian-- really?
>> There are a lot of Hmong gangs.
>> There are?
>> Mm-hmm. In this area.
>> I've never heard that, ever.
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>> Just to be specific.
>> I've never heard that.
>> I've actually been at a home wedding before, and there was a shooting right outside. I was actually walking. And
then it started. And I actually had to run back into like->> Oh, no!
>> -- the other person's house.
>> There are Asian gangs?
>> Yeah. In this area, big time.
>> How? I've never seen it. Okay.
>> Maybe not so much like in this area, but like-- you know how we have like our own kind of like little Asian-- like
oriental area-- we have an oriental area here in Fresno.
>> Is it northeast?
>> I think->> Is it?
>> -- more northeast->> I did ask where the Asians are.
>> Yeah. But I drove there, and I couldn't find any places.
>> Look->> There was like one donut shop.
>> Look up->> [inaudible] where are we?
>> I forgot what the road was, to be honest. I think it's like First and King's Canyon?
>> But are there actual gangs? Because in Orange County, all the little Vietnamese groups-- there's groups of guys, but
they're not gangs.
>> There is->> But some are, but some are not.
>> -- there are actual gangs.
>> Really?
>> Now, whether-- how big it is, I'm not sure, but there are people.
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>> But what's the->> And it even involves them going against people like Hispanic gangs as well.
>> But what's the point of being in an Asian gang? I mean-- do you make money? Like, what is the actual point of it?
>> I think it's for them to find a certain community of their own of some sort. Maybe they didn't get it at home or
something. They didn't have good relationships at home or something.
>> But the Hmong community is pretty big, right?
>> Yeah.
>> So they don't-- they can't find community in their own Hmong communities, so they create a gang like that? Or->> I think some guys just get it in their head that they want to be tough.
>> Okay.
>> I don't know what the actual reasons are for gangs, but I know->> Is it a first gen thing? Or is it actually even a second gen thing?
>> I want to say it's almost either->> What?
>> -- somewhere between 1.5 and second.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. But do you see-- okay, so for our documentary we saw, [inaudible] he's obviously first generation.
>> Yeah.
>> Or maybe 1.5, but probably first.
>> Yeah.
>> But do you think Kelly and Tony's kids will join a gang? Do you think?
>> I think not, just because of Kelly.
>> Right, right.
>> Yeah.
>> So->> Which, I think we saw the ending of that.
>> We did, yeah.
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>> I think I looked at photos.
>> Yeah.
>> I think the kids are doing well.
>> Yeah. The kids are going to college.
>> Yeah.
>> That's a for sure.
>> They're like my age.
>> They are. You probably know them.
>> That's what I was wondering. I'm like I wonder if I met them at some point. [inaudible] Or my parents probably-- I
probably know people who know them, is what I'm saying.
>> I think so.
>> Yeah.
>> They're from Oakland, though.
>> Yeah. I know a lot of people in Oakland.
>> Oh, really?
>> There's actually a good amount of Mien people in Oakland.
>> Oh, my God. You probably could find them at a party one day. You're like, I saw a documentary of your parents!
>> Yeah, yeah. [inaudible] I know you guys.
>> They're like you're a creep, but I saw you as a baby!
>> Yeah, yeah.
>> Okay.
>> That is true.
>> So, here is the second to last question. What can faculty and staff to do add meaningful, [inaudible] relationships or
institution-- what can the institution do to improve to get more Southeast Asians into college? So, like what can-- what
can this college do, specifically. So you mention financial.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. So specifically, let's just go with Fresno State.
>> Uh-huh.
>> And before I already interviewed people at UCR and Cal Poly, so I would say UCR [inaudible] but this is what can
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Fresno State in particular do to help you graduate? Smaller classes, finance, like down the line->> Smaller classes would be great.
>> -- down the line.
>> I think, because I personally hate large, like seminar type like things like that. Like you know, those really like big
300 college rooms or whatever.
>> I love those. Okay.
>> I don't like those.
>> I love them.
>> Only because, like I said, I'm a very personable person, pretty intentional.
>> But anyone who has gone to a UC has never experienced->> Yeah.
>> -- the Cal State-- it's all 300.
>> Right. That is true. I've heard that.
>> They've never experienced it.
>> I prefer smaller classes. I will do a large class, but-- you know.
>> I have never done a small class in my life.
>> Oh, really?
>> Never.
>> How is it, then?
>> Oh, fine!
>> Just real quick.
>> It's great.
>> Yeah.
>> Like you don't know any difference, though.
>> Yeah, see, the reason I like the small classes is because you actually get to know people's names.
>> Yeah.
>> And then like class->> [inaudible] stadium.
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>> Yeah. Like I didn't-- like I had biology->> Uh-huh.
>> -- I mean I had anatomy. I hated going to anatomy.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Because I sat there like this, and I just sat there while she talked. Not that the class was bad or anything. It's just my
personal thing. I get distracted really easily. I would just start looking at something else or->> Okay. Smaller classes.
>> Yeah. I don't pay attention.
>> Anything else? What about financial aid?
>> Financial aid-- the weird thing is I used to get financial aid, now all of a sudden I don't, as soon as I get to a 4-year.
But when I was at a JC I did, which doesn't make sense to me. Which is what held me back.
>> Let me write that down.
>> Yeah.
>> Let me write that down. Okay. So, at the-- at the AA level you got financial aid?
>> Yeah.
>> Why don't you get it now? That's->> That's what I'm wondering. I don't know if it was because I started working. But that's only because I needed to start
working.
>> Okay.
>> Because live up here. I don't live at home any more.
>> Okay. I don't know who that is. Okay. So at the AA level, you did get financial aid.
>> Yeah.
>> So, that's very important.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Okay. But you did not get it at the 4-year level.
>> Yeah.
>> Hmm. That's a problem.
>> Mm-hmm.
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>> Okay. So basically, you would want a full financial aid package. Like a help or free college? Is that->> I'm saying some help would be nice.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. Especially with Asian-- Southeast Asian communities. A lot of us-- a lot of them are low income. You know
what I mean?
>> Sure.
>> I mean I'm a little bit special in terms of like having parents who went to college and stuff.
>> That is very-- you're the first one I've ever met.
>> Yeah.
>> Like I've done already 26.
>> Yeah.
>> Not even one parent. Like Cambodians->> Yeah.
>> -- Hmong. Not even one.
>> Yeah.
>> Why is it that your parents-- I don't want to-- I mean-- this-- I mean, why did your parents go to college? Because
that's like really rare.
>> I think my dad was super driven.
>> That's really rare. That's-- honestly->> Like-- yeah.
>> -- that's unicorn level.
>> Like-- because my dad's the one who encouraged my mom to do it and everything.
>> Wow.
>> So I just wanted-- I kind of just want to say my dad's real special in that sense.
>> He is. Obviously, first gen->> Yeah.
>> -- because he-- wouldn't he be the same generation as Tony?
>> I think so, yeah. They're probably around the same age.
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>> And they probably went through the same thing.
>> Yeah.
>> He went the route of->> Mm-hmm.
>> Wow.
>> Mm-hmm. That's what I'm saying. If you want to interview him, you should interview him.
>> Yeah. I think that his story would be like tougher than yours, probably. But-- like he's->> I've heard his stories.
>> He's blazed a trail for his own family.
>> Yeah.
>> And you're-- I mean, that's great. Okay.
>> And I'm trying to keep it going.
>> All right. That's great!
>> Yeah.
>> Okay, so definitely your father and mother are the rare unicorns.
>> Yeah.
>> Free college, smaller classes, what else do you want and need?
>> I think-- I mean I know we have like a Hmong club now, but I think it would be cool to-- because you know,
sometimes I see like out in the-- like in the court here, like different cultures like being represented and they're doing
like all these things.
>> We could start a Mien club.
>> Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I think there needs to be a way to encourage like-- for us. I don't->> I think that would be cool.
>> Yeah.
>> There's just as many Cambodians as there are Mien [inaudible]
>> Oh, I'm sure, yeah.
>> There's a tiny Cambodian club with like four people, and they've had one.
>> Yeah. See.
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>> Yeah.
>> I-- that's what's I'm saying. I think we need-- we need to find a way to-- I don't know. I don't know how [inaudible] I
can do that, but I'm just saying in general.
>> Well I know-- all you do is you go into the cross-cultural center.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Or you go to your department, and you say I want to start a club.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> And then do you have an advisor-- I can be your advisor.
>> Uh-huh.
>> And then-- if you want. [inaudible] Like there might be a Mien professor [inaudible]
>> I think Susie was going to get on that. I need to talk to Susie.
>> I did talk to her about it.
>> Oh, did you?
>> She said that I think because she's a part-time student->> Uh-huh.
>> -- there's some issue, but->> Oh.
>> But if the Cambodians who have four members can start a club->> Yeah.
>> -- so can the Mien. I was like->> Yeah.
>> And then you just do one thing every year or two things. Because once you start a club, they give you a pot of $500
to $1000 that you can use for anything for your club.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> You could do a potluck, you could sell food, you could go to Mien New Year together. It can be cool for you guys to
do. So, the Hmong, every year they do an education seminar. Every year.
>> That's good.
>> So they have a pre-set. So the other ones are like-- they don't really know. Cambodians don't know what to do
because--
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>> Yeah.
>> -- it's like do this, do that? Every year they have to reinvent it. But the Hmong, every year education seminar.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> It doesn't matter.
>> Right.
>> It doesn't matter, the president.
>> Yeah.
>> So if you started it, you would just have something every year.
>> Yeah.
>> So then the next Mien that takes over, okay, we're doing Mien New Year every year.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> You know you have that pot of $1000 or $500 or whatever.
>> Yeah.
>> But that's pretty good.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah, I encourage you to do it. I mean it would help.
>> Try to get one going before I leave and graduate.
>> I think that it could help you.
>> Yeah.
>> Because I think there's more than just you [inaudible]
>> I-- no. There definitely are more.
>> Yeah.
>> I just don't know who is here. Like all of them.
>> We have a system->> Yeah.
>> -- on campus where people-- they have to identify their ethnicity.
>> Yeah.
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>> So, how-- what the Cambodians did is they went to this college of institutional effectiveness, and they got all the
emails->> Oh.
>> -- of every Cambodian on campus.
>> Oh.
>> And they mass-emailed them.
>> Nice.
>> That's how they got the four.
>> Oh.
>> That's how Jenny knows-- she's one of the four.
>> Oh, yeah. Got it.
>> So, yeah. You could-- there's a way for you to access every single Mien on campus, actually.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah, see, this is the first time I've ever seen another Mien person in the same class. [inaudible] Yeah-- at Fresno
State, and I've been here for-- this is my second year now.
>> What?
>> Yeah-- so->> Oh, my gosh.
>> -- first time.
>> Really?
>> Yeah.
>> I'll ask Susie, because I'm interviewing her at 12:00.
>> Oh, yeah, that's right.
>> [inaudible] is this the first time?
>> Yeah.
>> I wonder if [inaudible] Is she from Visalia?
>> Not originally, I don't believe.
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>> Okay.
>> I think-- yeah.
>> Okay. So maybe-- seriously-- maybe a cultural club you might need? Okay.
>> I think so. That would be cool.
>> What do you need your professors-- okay, so, institutionally you need smaller classes. Institutionally you need free
financial aid. Like, you need financial aid.
>> Yeah.
>> And then of course personally you have parents who are like unicorns.
>> Yeah.
>> Culturally, a club. Right?
>> Yeah.
>> What do you need from your professors for you to graduate through? Of course you will graduate through.
>> Uh-huh.
>> But what do you need?
>> I think I need people to see that they are actually enjoying the fact that they are teaching.
>> Okay.
>> Some people don't look that way. You know what I mean?
>> Okay.
>> Like from you especially like in this last semester I can tell you are very passionate about like your studies and work.
Like I can just tell.
>> Okay.
>> And it brings my-- and it piques my interest and I started getting into it and that's why I actually enjoy coming to the
class. Like I said there's just some classes were them just like why my here if you don't even care kind of thing.
>> Okay.
>> And that's a big thing for me.
>> Professor enjoyment, I guess.
>> Yeah.
>> Well, you guys are my passion.
>> Yeah.
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>> So->> Mm-hmm.
>> I want you guys to succeed. I'm a 1.5. So my cousins took 10 years at Cal Poly. But I don't understand. They are
second generation.
>> Yeah.
>> And their parents speak perfect English.
>> Yeah.
>> I mean not perfect English, but->> Uh-huh.
>> -- very fluent English. But my parents speak no English.
>> Yeah.
>> So I'm like why is that?
>> Yeah.
>> Why is that? It was like easier for you.
>> Yeah.
>> But I'm kind of-- I don't know. Like-- yeah. Okay. So, what else? Is there anything? Secretaries, anything the library
can do? Like down the line. Parking, library, police->> I think the advisors needed to do a better job.
>> Advisors? What do the advisors need to do for you?
>> First of all, I had to contact mind first. I've only talked to him once.
>> I think all students have to contact their advisor first.
>> Right.
>> It's not like-- yeah.
>> But the thing is like I've heard a lot of stories people saying like oh-- [inaudible] I've heard a lot-- but-- I've heard a
lot of stories of people saying that you know how when you're like trying to figure out what classes to take every year
and stuff? Like you are supposed to come up with a plan? Sometimes that doesn't-- you know go the way it needs to.
And I know you are supposed to seek them out first, but I guess a lot of-- I've heard people say that their counselor or
advisor just told them to look on their [inaudible] that thing, you know? We have a-- in our portal login it tells us what
classes we are studying and stuff.
>> Okay.
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>> But why would you just tell students to just go look at that? Like what if some people don't have-- like don't know
how to access it necessarily? You know? I mean they might know how to login and look at their different classes, but
they don't know how to look at other things, you know?
>> Okay. So do you need like a portal just for students? Because I think those counselors have to counsel a couple
thousand.
>> Right.
>> So I understand like they would say that because->> Yeah. I mean I understand->> -- [inaudible] thousands of people [inaudible]->> Yeah. Yeah.
>> But I mean-- do you need like a special app? Would you want an app? Do you want->> I think-- it's not necessarily like a-- that-- okay, maybe I phrased that wrong. But like I think there needs to be a way
to make it-- or like some way to educate-- like a small-- like a small-- like you know how like there's a way for people to
learn how to use Blackboard?
>> Okay.
>> I there would be a good way-- I think it would be good for them to learn how to do all these little things, too.
>> Yes. So, are you saying that you want a workshop?
>> Maybe a workshop, yeah.
>> A workshop?
>> Provide workshops for->> Workshop->> Yeah.
>> Workshop for new students how to work->> Like their student portal.
>> Workshop to->> Or their My Fresno State account.
>> -- provide->> Yeah.
>> -- student-- that's actually something actual that can happen, right?
>> Right.
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>> That's something that for sure, like you said, that you need that->> Yeah.
>> -- we can do.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay?
>> Because I know for me, I had to play with all those little tabs and look around for me to figure everything out.
>> So, you want a workshop to provide student port information?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Portal->> I think that would be good.
>> -- information. Okay, so you want someone to-- and this is something in the like welcome package or something? Or
something like that? Okay.
>> Something like that, yeah.
>> All right. And then that would go along with Blackboard, et cetera->> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> I think that would be good.
>> All right. Okay, great. So, I think that's it. Thank you so much. Let me switch your [inaudible] That's-- no more
questions left. Thank you so much. Is there anything else you want to mention in the survey? Do you think these are
adequate questions to ask Southeast Asians how to improve or-- because I'm looking for specific things that-- I can't
address societal->> Yeah.
>> -- you know, gangs, or whatever->> Yeah.
>> -- but what can we do at Fresno State to get a Susie or [inaudible]?
>> I think just-- again, I think it's just a lot of encouragement.
>> Okay.
>> Because-- you'd be surprised how much like just having people-- good people telling you that you can do it helps
out, you know what I mean? Because a lot of times I think a lot of people tell themselves like this is hard, but then when
you hear other people telling you like you can do it-- you continue-- like you know what, yeah, I can do it. I will do it.
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Like, you know?
>> All right. Great.
>> So->> All right. Great. Do you think I need to ask any other questions at all?
>> Not at the top of my head, no.
>> Okay. So, I'm going to email you back this, right now. And they're just notes.
>> Yeah.
>> Like literally, just-- I'm just random notes. And so please tell me if you approve or disapprove. And you can delete
anything you want to do. So, I did it as literally just notes.
>> Okay.
>> And feel free to glance at it. But looking through, if you can actually email me back and say I approve of these notes,
and then-- or disapprove-- and then you can change whatever you want.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Most people don't change it, but you can, obviously. I mean it doesn't-- because I'm looking-- although I look at the-the part I focus on is not so much the barriers, I focus on the bridges.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Which is like workshop, financial aid, encouragement, those things.
>> Yeah.
>> Like those are-- because in the end I'm going to have a list, and I'm going to go to President Castro [phonetic] and
say, I interviewed 50 people. They say they want a workshop.
>> Yeah.
>> He can make a workshop happen for you guys. Like, so thank you so much. I can't tell you how much this interview
has been wonderful for me, but also I think it will impact for sure, the thousands of Southeast Asians that will come
after you. So, if you can-- feel free to contact me if you think of anything else that you need at Fresno State that we can
provide for you.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Okay, great. Let me turn this off.
>> Okay.
>> So, let's see-- okay-- thank you.
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second Central Valley Southeast Asian interview, Trevor Saephan, May 24, 2017. Is this on? [inaudible] Okay. Trevor-so you are two Central Valley. [inaudible] And of course, I'm going to email you back this transcript. Which are just
notes. It's literally just notes.
>> Yeah.
>> So if you want to change it, delete it, anything you want-- even your name, or even delete the whole thing-- feel free.
>> Okay.
>> Okay. All right. And then-- and when I-- if you could actually just email it back and say I approve this-- like, they
are just notes, they are not even sentences.
>> Yeah, yeah.
>> Then tell me if you approve. If you don't approve then I won't ever use it. So I need your approval.
>> Okay.
>> What is the gender that you identify as?
>> Male.
>> Male, okay.
>> What is your birth year?
>> 1983.
>> You are a baby. All right. What is your undergraduate major?
>> It's actually kinesiology with an exercise science influence.
>> Kinesiology [inaudible] What is your generation? Are you a 1.5 generation, a two-point-- and you have the same
questions for you.
>> Okay.
>> A second generation, third generation?
>> I was going to ask you, what is a 1.5 generation?
>> It's like if you were born in like let's say Laos, you came here below the age of like 15 and you kind of grew up but
you came at seven, eight, nine, ten-- [inaudible] 15. But if you go over 15 then your first generation.
>> Okay.
>> But-- some of the kids that came early.
>> I'd be-- I'd probably be second.
>> Oh, then you are second?
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>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. You are second. Wow. Okay. What was your mother's highest education? What was your father's highest
education?
>> I believe my mother has a bachelors.
>> Bachelors-- oh, wow. Okay.
>> And then my dad has a Masters
>> Oh, wow. Okay. Goodness, that's very high. What was your-- what was your family-- like what's the number of
people in your family like before and now?
>> Before, as in like-- childhood?
>> Like, I have like one sister.
>> Uh-huh.
>> That's it.
>> Well, I have->> And my mom died.
>> Okay. So I have a mom and dad, younger brother, younger-- younger sister, then younger brother-- in that order.
>> Okay.
>> I'm the oldest and then now I have a stepsister.
>> So how many is that?
>> Three siblings-- four. So I guess four, now.
>> Plus your two? So that's seven people in your family?
>> I just have my parents.
>> Six?
>> My stepmom.
>> Okay. Seven?
>> Seven.
>> Six people? Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> And now seven? Okay.
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>> Well you can include my nephew too, I guess. Because he lives with us.
>> Okay, yeah. Definitely. Include the nephew.
>> Yeah.
>> Include-- okay. Cool. Great. All right. What is your GPA?
>> You know, I want to say it's around a 3.0 right now.
>> All right. That's pretty good. The average in the US is 2.6. So it's pretty good. It's high.
>> It's okay.
>> What is your ultimate degree aspirations? For sure you are getting a BA?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> What is your ultimate?
>> Ultimate goal is actually physical therapy. So I would actually be-- I would actually end up being-- having to get my
doctorate.
>> Oh, wow.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Awesome. So a PhD in kinesiology?
>> Physical therapy.
>> Physical therapy. Oh, cool. Okay. All right. What would you say your socioeconomic background was? Was it
working-class, middle-class, affluent? It's whatever you self-define as. It's whatever [inaudible]
>> I would say it's pretty low at first.
>> Okay.
>> Growing up, anyways. Like at the younger like more->> Mm-hmm.
>> From like ages 1 to 10-- or 1 to like 7.
>> Okay.
>> And then my parents-- well my dad finished school by then and my mom finished school later. And then you know I
would say about working-class then.
>> Okay. Okay. Great. What was your school type? Was a public school or private school? And can you name your
high school name?
>> Public. First I went to Mount Whitney High School.
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>> Mount Whitney-- is this in Fresno?
>> No, it's in Visalia.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> High school in Visalia. Okay.
>> I was there until halfway through sophomore year.
>> Okay.
>> And then transferred over to Golden West High School.
>> Okay.
>> Also in Visalia.
>> Then Golden West. What was the ratio-- and again, it's up to you to your own definition-- but what was the racial
ethnic makeup of your high school?
>> I don't know the exact percentages, but the lowest at Golden West because I was there the majority of the time, is
actually Blacks.
>> Oh, okay.
>> And I believe it was Asians.
>> Okay.
>> And I want to say it's a tossup between Hispanics and Anglos [phonetic].
>> Oh, wow. Okay.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Interesting. What is your favorite subject? What is your least favorite subject? And why?
>> Least favorite subject is probably English.
>> English?
>> Yeah. My favorite subject is probably something like-- basically anything that has to do with like either like
chemistry or the study of the human body.
>> Ooh.
>> Yeah. Which is kind of how I got into this idea of physical therapy and kinesiology.
>> And then why is-- what is your least favorite and why is it your most favorite?
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>> Least favorite just because it takes a while for me to get into the actual writing mode and reading. But once I get into
it I'm into it. But it takes a while for me to get into it.
>> Okay.
>> And then my favorite because I like understanding how things work. I also like experimenting with like [inaudible]
chemicals.
>> Okay. Cool.
>> But, for the whole body thing is [inaudible] to promote like that her health in general.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Interesting. Very important.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> What is your favorite and least favorite teacher or professor? Why or why not?
>> That's hard.
>> You can skip it if you want.
>> Yeah. I'll have to think about that. There's a lot of people.
>> Okay. We can come back. It's not, you know. Okay. And then-- again, if you don't know this answer because I've
asked this to Cambodians and [inaudible]-- how many Mien go to college and-- again, most people don't know. I
personally don't know.
>> Right.
>> So-- I don't know myself. I tried to look it up, too.
>> Yeah.
>> So do you happen to know? If not, it's a wash.
>> How many Mien? Maybe there's no number, I know that. I don't think anyone's actually taken the general census of
that number, to be honest.
>> Yeah. I think that would be-- I have no one either.
>> Yeah. All I know is that there are different regions of where Mien people live and I only know a few people-- I only
know people that I know that go to school. And that's it.
>> Okay. Interesting.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. All right. So, we are 20% in. Do-- and again-- did your high school have Mien students?
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>> We had some, yeah.
>> Okay. So here the question is, do Mien students have strong relationships with administrators or faculty? Why or
why not?
>> I think at Golden West, anyway, they had a pretty decent relationship only because I think at Golden West, the-- like
being able to like identify-- I don't know. Hold on. How do I say this? I think they were very good about including
everybody.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Yeah.
>> In what way?
>> They really tried to.
>> What did they do?
>> Well, we had a-- I want to say more so, unfortunately, just like more like our-- one of our assistant principals-- he
was Hispanic. And he would actually-- him and another guy would actually go around and talk to like everybody not
just like some students.
>> Oh, wow. Okay.
>> Yeah, so-- it was easy to talk to him.
>> Awesome.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. Now, I get back to you. But have you ever been mentored?
>> Mentored by->> Anyone. Like high school, college->> College I would say more so is when I got into like having someone to look up to or talk to. High school I had-- I
would say besides like family-- I had a friend named David.
>> David? Okay.
>> Yeah. He's older than me. He's like 28 now. 27, 28?
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. He's kind of like a big brother figure. Kind of like-- he was the youth leader, also. So->> Oh, wow. Okay. What do you-- it's a Christian relief?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Oh, wow.
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>> Yeah, yeah.
>> Okay. So it was big brother. So you had a-- okay. Interesting.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. So let me put that down. Christian-- is that part of a church?
>> Yeah. There's actually a Mien congregation in Visalia.
>> Oh, there is?
>> Uh-huh. It's not very big, but, you know, there is a community there.
>> How interesting. Because I thought Mien were Buddhist or Taoist.
>> They are mostly Taoist. But surprisingly enough there is actually a decent number of Mien Christians.
>> How interesting. Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Very interesting.
>> In fact, I'm going to youth camp like in two months.
>> That's awesome.
>> Yeah. And I wish you could go to that, actually. You would see so many of us there. [inaudible] Yeah. That would
be cool.
>> College graduates? In college?
>> Not all of them.
>> I can't go below 18.
>> I know. But there would be a lot of us who are college graduates there.
>> Really? Okay.
>> Or in college.
>> Okay.
>> They will be the counselors and the coaches.
>> Usually I like to go in within the 25 range. You are my youngest, actually. Because my last one was 57. But->> Most of the ones that graduated and are still in college, they are older.
>> Oh, yeah. Yeah.
>> Some of them are around 30.
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>> Yeah, yeah.
>> Yeah. That's-- I usually go-- -- only because I know you.
>> Right, right. [inaudible]
>> I was like oh, [inaudible] great. Okay. What were the-- because I am trying to be respectful of your time. So I don't
want to go over time.
>> Oh, no. You are fine.
>> What were the teacher expectations of you?
>> Teacher expectations?
>> With a neutral, low, or high?
>> I kind of-- expectations wise if it's like a good teacher or something, I would you know one that actually interacted
with the class not really monotone or just straight to the all right here's what it is, do this. That's the kind of stuff I don't
like. I like teachers who actually interact. Maybe try to lighten the mood or keep the class-- keep the class' attention. But
I go in pretty neutral. I don't try to expect too much because I know it's not that way. You know I mean?
>> Okay.
>> Is life.
>> Yes. How do teachers treat you and your co-ethnics [phonetic]? And this way I mean [inaudible] when I say co-- I'm
going to say Southeast Asian.
>> Mm-hmm. I would say in general, there's not like any special treatment of any kind. At least I don't see any. So->> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Were there any notable media depictions of your ethnic group-- and in this case it would be Mien-- any notable
depictions media?
>> Media? I mean we are not really in the media.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. Maybe like a few instances here and there.
>> Okay.
>> But not really in the media to be honest.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> All right. Did you feel that you had [inaudible] do you think that you fulfill-- that you have significant academic
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preparation for college?
>> I think so. Yeah.
>> Okay. All right. So that's one-third is done. And now we are going into barriers and then we go into successes.
>> Okay.
>> So, all right. But the money is in the successes because I have to-- I'm going to put you all together and see what you
guys want.
>> Got it.
>> All right. So in this case you are going to talk about just Mien group. You can talk about yourself if you want, but
just your group. Okay? Do you think that there any barriers to Mien educational success?
>> Oh, yeah.
>> So here you can look at the cultural, educational, financial, structural, health, gender-- so I guess we can go in order
for-- and again, you can speak for yourself or your entire group but-- since you are kind of a leader, feel free to speak
for the entire group.
>> All right.
>> It's up to you.
>> What did you say?
>> Oh-- yeah.
>> Oh, barriers.
>> Yeah, yes. I'm going to ask you the same exact questions->> Okay.
>> -- but for like success. Like what are the things that [inaudible]
>> Oh, okay.
>> And then I eventually-- I do want to help the graduation rates.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Our graduation rates for Fresno State was good it was 100 students. That was great for the Asians. But at the
Chicano graduation there was 1018.
>> Yeah.
>> So it was 100 Asians versus one-- I mean-- in general, Asians graduate higher.
>> Yeah.
>> But it was a striking difference.
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>> Uh-huh.
>> So, I'm definitely-- I really appreciate you answering these questions because I really want to collect like what we
can do to get more Trevors in the classroom. But in general, and you can speak for Mien or also Southeast Asian men in
general, because it is a gender issue. The women are making it through fine.
>> Yeah.
>> The men-- particularly Vietnamese men-- are not-- and Cambodian men-- I don't-- have no idea for Mien-- but are
not as high. Right? All right. So do you see any cultural issues for Southeast Asians, Mien in particular or Southeast
Asians in general.
>> I think cultural is-- a lot of people end up going to find jobs right away after high school. Because they need money
or they want money help provide with family. That's usually one of the things. Some people for example, that I know of,
start families early so they have to go find work.
>> Okay.
>> So it made it harder to fit in to go to school.
>> What do you mean started families early?
>> They had kids. Like Shirley [phonetic].
>> At 18?
>> Or younger.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Mm-hmm. You know, teen pregnancies and stuff.
>> Okay.
>> It's not like the most uncommon thing. Especially with like if you in and say like the 1.5 generations->> Yes.
>> That's pretty common. I would say it's more common.
>> [inaudible] generation.
>> Yeah.
>> What would you say for your generation- the second gen?
>> Second gen, I was say there's an increase of people going to school. I think->> Yeah.
>> -- the 1.5 generation and the first generation really [inaudible] started going to school more.
>> Yeah.
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>> Yeah.
>> My generation-- the first didn't really go to school, but->> Yeah.
>> -- for 1.5 it's a 50/50.
>> Yeah.
>> You guys->> Yeah. I was-- yeah. They all encouraged their grandkids and children and nephews->> Yeah.
>> -- to go to school. They want them to actually finish school now.
>> So you would say definitely a cultural thing is the second gen or 1.5 encouraged the-- I mean-- the 1.5 and the first
gen encouraged the second gen to go to college?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Okay.
>> Because I think they-- you know, first, before, like you know, just find work, get work done. That's kind of like the
norm.
>> Mm-hmm. Yeah.
>> Back at home-- home countries and stuff. You know, like do work and all that stuff, but I think they've come to
realize now that you can get better jobs->> that is true, yes.
>> -- working after going to school.
>> In your case, did you have like a-- did you have uncles who were 1.5?
>> Or->> I would say my->> Or your parents are 1.5->> -- my parents were all 1.5.
>> Okay.
>> And->> Oh, okay. [inaudible]
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>> Because he was young. He was under 15.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Yeah.
>> So he's-- then he-- I guess he would be 1.5.
>> Yeah, technically.
>> But how old were your parents when they came here?
>> I think my dad was-- barely starting middle school or about to->> Oh->> -- age-wise-- or about to be->> -- oh, yeah.
>> -- or like later elementary school age. I forgot, his age, actually.
>> Oh wow, he's totally 1.5.
>> Yeah.
>> I thought your parents would be first generation.
>> Yeah.
>> But they're not.
>> They're not quite, no.
>> Oh, wow. So they're very Americanized.
>> Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
>> They're pretty Americanized.
>> Oh, my gosh. Okay.
>> They still hold everything-- like they still know the language and everything, but they're also-- so that's why-- yeah.
1.5 is actually very accurate.
>> Oh, wow.
>> More 50/50.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Because my parents came here when they were 27.
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>> Yeah. My grandma->> So->> -- would be the one that came->> Wow. Okay. Oh, so that's very interesting. You're a different generation. What do you think are the educational
barriers to Southeast Asians? And can you speak for Southeast Asian males?
>> Educational barriers-- I think-- let's see-- [inaudible] Oh, yeah. Go for it. I think for going to school-- were you
asking for school or success?
>> I think educational success.
>> Educational success.
>> What are the barriers for Southeast Asians in general? I mean, you mentioned for sure you mentioned starting a
family and getting teen pregnancy. But what educationally do you see that's an issue for Southeast Asians and Southeast
Asian Males in particular?
>> I think one of the biggest reasons, actually, is just finding the funds to go.
>> Uh-huh. So, finding the funds.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Even me, I had to take a year off just because I couldn't afford it. And then I decided to take loans out.
>> Okay.
>> I didn't want to, but I wanted to get back. I think another one that was a-- that would actually probably interest like
the males in general, is actually just-- I think just more recognition.
>> Okay.
>> Amongst like the community. Because you know, you hear a lot about like-- you even hear a lot of Hmong people
now.
>> You do.
>> Yeah, but like, especially in this area.
>> Okay.
>> But you don't really hear anything about Mien people. People still don't know->> That is correct.
>> -- they still don't know who we are.
>> That is correct.
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>> And they ask us. Like I'll tell them I'm Mien. Oh, what's that? And then I'll have to explain it's similar to Hmong.
Then I tell them how we're different.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. It's crazy.
>> Well, how-- tell me. How are they similar? How are you different?
>> Similar in the sense that we're both like originally-- originated from like small ethnic groups in China, and then we
both you know, like migrating and traveling downwards until we're into like, I guess you can call it Siam at one point,
and then Laos. So, Laos and Thailand.
>> Okay.
>> And then, actually-- you know, eventually we both got involved into the secret war. Like both Hmong and Mien.
There's actually people in the Mien that were like I think very important figures for us, too. I forgot what his name was.
>> Was it General Vang Pao, but the Mien version?
>> Yeah. Kind of.
>> Oh, you should have done your [inaudible]
>> My uncle-- my great-uncle actually->> Uh-huh. Okay.
>> -- was part of the war. He's passed away, now.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. So, I couldn't get too much info from him. I actually want to do him, but->> Oh, see. That would be a great infographic.
>> Yeah. [inaudible] Yeah. [inaudible] Right. And so, that's how they're similar. But the only difference is-- the real
difference is like the language and->> Okay.
>> Slight culture differences, but that's just you know-- because it's like two different-- I guess like two different groups
of people in China at like-- when they first came.
>> Okay. Are there still a couple million Mien in China?
>> There's more. There's a couple more million Mien->> Oh->> -- in Asian.
>> Oh, wow.
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>> I mean Asian countries.
>> Oh, wow.
>> I think->> Are they in Vietnam?
>> I think some are in Vietnam. We even have some in like European counties.
>> Oh.
>> Like, small, small, small amounts.
>> Wow.
>> Yeah. I found out I have cousins in Denmark or something like that. I didn't know that.
>> You're kidding.
>> No.
>> College degree in Denmark.
>> Oh-- I might think about it. No.
>> Meet them. Okay. So, if you're looking at Mien, would you say there's a cultural difference or even a health issues or
barriers, or is there a gender-- I guess speaking for Mien women, do you think there are any differences that Mien
women are treated versus Mien males? Are they encouraged more, less encouraged or the same? For college.
>> For college. I think they-- I think women probably-- they are probably encouraged more, I think.
>> Really?
>> I think so.
>> Hmm. Okay.
>> Only reason because-- like, well-- I-- back then like I would say maybe 10 years ago or something, like it's not like
that long ago it was probably like that. Only because a lot-- you know, like I said, a lot of times men were seen as the
guys that needed to go find work.
>> Oh, okay.
>> So, but now-- it's not how it is now. I would say everyone's probably more Americanized now.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Interesting. Okay.
>> Mm-hmm.
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>> So, you said that like years ago, more women were encouraged because men had to find work immediately, but the
second generation you're saying that both are encouraged for college?
>> Yeah. I wouldn't say-- I mean I wouldn't say that they weren't encouraged. They were encouraged to go necessarily,
but like they were probably-- they had like I guess the better option or more->> They had more options?
>> Because someone else is already going out to help provide for the family, they had reason to I guess finish school.
You know what I mean?
>> That's a great point.
>> Yeah. They could go to school, I guess. Yeah.
>> That's a very important point, thank you. Were you-- did you ever have to take care of your parents, siblings, or
others?
>> Yeah, my parents divorced, actually, so I did end up taking care of my siblings a lot.
>> And would you have to also take care of your grandparents?
>> No. They're pretty-- they're pretty self-sufficient.
>> Really? Okay.
>> In fact, my grandmother walks to the strawberry farm all the time.
>> Oh, wow. That's incredible.
>> Yeah, she had stomach cancer too, and she beat that, and then she decided to go back out anyways, and I'm like all
right, grandma.
>> Oh, gosh. Okay.
>> Crazy.
>> That's-- I'm glad she beat that.
>> She's-- oh, yeah.
>> How old is your grandmother?
>> She's mid-- late 60's?
>> Oh.
>> I want to say. She's not->> She's very young.
>> She's pretty-- almost 70? She's getting there.
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>> Okay.
>> Because my dad's only mid-40's.
>> Wow, okay.
>> Yeah.
>> So, do you think-- you can either speak for Asians in general [inaudible] or Southeast Asians, but do you think
society looks at Asians as success or do you think they look at them as a not success in education. I know you took a
class about minorities, so->> You know-- I know like I agree with the whole Asian minority thing, but I think that kind of leans more towards like
Chinese people.
>> Okay.
>> Only because-- only not->> [inaudible] minority myth, right?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> And the only reason is because most people identify Asians as Chinese or Japanese.
>> Yes.
>> That's the reason why.
>> That is true.
>> Yeah.
>> So, do you think it doesn't say the full story for Southeast Asians?
>> Not at all.
>> Okay.
>> There's only-- definitely not first generation.
>> Okay.
>> 1.5 generation there's a couple who are doing well now, but even if they're doing well-- they went to school and
everything, doesn't mean that they're like-- it doesn't mean they're rich or anything. It just means they're doing better or
they're well-off now.
>> Okay. Great. So, now it's 50% done. So now we're going into successes.
>> Okay.
>> And this is where I'm like really interested in what your opinion because, you know, I really would like to improve
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the graduation rate, and so I think everything you say will be dually noted, okay?
>> Okay.
>> So just like I asked you what are the culture, gender [inaudible] okay. So, what do you think you are a success. You
are a leader in the Mien community as well as Susie, and that will continue and even get greater as you get older. Now,
talk about your ethnic group or Southeast Asians, what do you think about personally about your personality has made
you a success in college?
>> Personality?
>> Yeah. Just you.
>> Yeah.
>> Just Mr. Trevor.
>> I've been told I'm a very bright person-- outgoing.
>> You are very bright. That's a for sure.
>> Uh-huh.
>> And who told you you were very bright?
>> Just about everybody I know.
>> Okay.
>> They tell me I'm very outgoing. I would be identified as ENFP.
>> What's that?
>> It's like super extroverted.
>> Is that the Meyer Briggs->> Yeah. Yeah. I'm like at the opposite spectrum of someone who like sits in a corner.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. So, okay. So do you think you have a very rare personality? Is that why [inaudible]
>> I wouldn't say it's rare. I just think->> We can-- this is like a psychology thing, and I don't want to get into that.
>> Yeah.
>> I was going to say-- but->> I mean, do you think-- I mean-- teachers have always liked you since K through 5? Five to twelve?
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>> I think so.
>> Okay.
>> I think I've been pretty positive in classes. I mean, yeah-- you know, I can get a little rowdy, don't get me wrong.
And I understand that. I work on that. But I think for the most part I never really had issues like with teachers or even
like people's parents tend to like me. I don't even know why, what I do, but they tend to like me.
>> Interesting.
>> Yeah.
>> So, you do. You have a very outgoing personality. Okay. Okay.
>> This totally cracked.
>> It's really good. Oh, is it cracked?
>> Yeah. Look at that.
>> Oh, crap.
>> I just realized.
>> I'll get a new one.
>> No, it's okay.
>> Oh, we can exchange it. Really, it's cracked?
>> I think so. It's like leaking.
>> Oh, damn it! Okay.
>> I just noticed it was spilling, that's all.
>> Okay. Well, okay. We'll get a new one.
>> That's okay.
>> Okay.
>> I'll still eat it. Don't worry about it.
>> No, no. We'll get a new one. Do you want to take a break? I can just switch really quick.
>> It's okay.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> So, any other-- so you're a very bright person. You identify on the Meyer Briggs as-file:///C/...ral%20Valley%20Southeast%20Asian%20Successful%20Voices/Files%20for%20upload/2_Trevor_Saephan_Mien_Male.clean.txt[3/10/2022 9:01:21 AM]
>> Yeah.
>> Teachers have always liked you, and even your people's parents have always liked you. Anything else about your
personality that->> I've been told I'm sympathetic->> Okay.
>> -- also. And I got more curious about that. And it's just-- and I doing my research I guess it's just your ability to
identify with how people feel.
>> Okay.
>> Like for example, you could-- like watching a movie and then like starting to cry over a scene because you feel
terrible about that scene->> Okay.
>> -- and how that person might feel, even though it's not real. Something like that.
>> So, you're kind of like emotionally-- is it you have a heightened [inaudible]?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Only certain people have that. Not everyone has that.
>> Yeah it's-- I think so. Which I found was weird, too. I didn't know that about myself until recently.
>> Not everyone has that high emotional quotient that makes you go forward in life. Okay. Okay, so that's the-- is there
anything else that you want to add about your personal self? So, after that we'll move on to family enablers.
>> Okay.
>> What do you think about your family in particular, that's made your successful, and in high school, in college, and
also in K through 12.
>> Both parents very much told me, focus on school.
>> Oh, really?
>> Yeah.
>> Wow, okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Both parents?
>> Both parents. They want me to go to school. They also want me to achieve whatever dreams I have.
>> Interesting.
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>> Yeah.
>> And how did they tell you to both-- so both your parents told you to focus on school?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> And achieve your dreams?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay, but what did they actually say?
>> My dad always told me-- what was it-- Trevor, no matter what, you're education is very important and I want you to
finish, and no matter how long it takes you, just make sure you finish.
>> Okay. What was his reasoning?
>> I think for him, because he did go through school and everything, he wanted to see me succeed as well->> Okay.
>> -- and be able to like be comfortable to provide for myself as well in the future.
>> Okay. And then since you are the trail blazer in your family, like you're the first out of all your siblings, what effect
do you think you're going to have on your little-- is it little brother and little sister?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> What effect do you think that them growing up knowing that you're in college and will graduate, what effect do you
think it will have on them?
>> I think it's a very big effect. Because I'm actually very close with my siblings. In fact, like you know, we go on trips
together every now and then. They're old enough for me to take them there.
>> Oh, great.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay-- into the Christian thing tomorrow or-- too young?
>> No, they're not too young. They're actually getting on the older side now because it's->> Okay.
>> -- we, at the camp-- it's youth camp, so it's like middle school to high school.
>> Uh-huh.
>> And then anyone that's older helps out or is like a leader of some sort.
>> But your little brother-- are they in high school?
>> Yeah. My little brother is in high school. So is my step sister. They're actually the same age, which is kind of funny.
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>> Oh, okay.
>> They're like twins, and I don't even know how that happened.
>> How cute.
>> Yeah.
>> And then they're going with you to the congregation?
>> They do. My dad is actually Christian, also.
>> Okay.
>> That's actually how it started, in a sense. I guess it could be like he's the one who kind of opened the doors for that
route.
>> Trail blazer.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Okay. So, what effect do you think you'll have on your brother and sister from them seeing you go to college?
>> The fact that they see me going to school and trying even though I've had some setbacks, I think it would be
important because you know->> What effect do you think that them seeing you going through your setback and actually like succeeding after, what
effect do you think seeing [inaudible]
>> I think it will encourage them to stay in school. Because-- even my dad has me like try to talk to them about it every
now and then. He's like hey Trev [phonetic] when you get a chance every now and then just talk to your younger
brothers and sisters.
>> Oh, interesting.
>> Continue to encourage them to do good in school and stuff.
>> And what do you say to them, then?
>> Casually, I'll walk up, hey, Chandler->> His brother's name is Chandler?
>> His name is Chandler. It's like, how are you doing in school? And he will be like oh, doing pretty good-- blah, blah,
blah. And this stuff and he's like I did kind of bad and I will be like step it up.
>> Oh, really?
>> He knows I'm joking, but->> Okay.
>> I'm not like super cold, you know, but I joke with him.
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>> Okay.
>> And so they know I'm keeping up with them also.
>> Oh, good.
>> I'm always-- I come in and check on them. The same thing with my sister. So, the middle child, sister-- Beverly-she's in college now.
>> Oh, wow.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Really got to help her out.
>> Okay.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> So then what about Chandler's twin or whatever->> Oh, the step-sister? Our step-sister?
>> So, what do you tell her? Do you tell her the same thing?
>> Same kind of->> Or is it gender->> -- same kind of thing.
>> Okay.
>> I try to-- because they're both around the same age, but she-- obviously she's a girl, and Chandler is a guy, so->> Okay.
>> -- I joke slightly differently.
>> Okay.
>> Just because, you know-- different personalities or whatever.
>> So, what will you tell Beverly? Would you say the same thing?
>> Beverly I can be more straight forward with because she's older.
>> Okay. What do you say?
>> I'll tell her, hey. You need to stop messing around.
>> Okay.
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>> Get your grades up, work hard, I know you can do it. That's what I tell her.
>> Okay. Do you ever->> She's a smart girl. She's just-- sometimes she gets caught up.
>> Do you ever mention anything about being Asian or Southeast Asia or the history of the family, or is it just
Chandler, do better. Beverly, do better.
>> I mention sometimes about the family and some of the culture things. I told my-- like I tell my kids-- them all the
time, I was like, hey, look-- Mom and Dad came here not knowing any English, and they still succeeded in school.
>> Okay.
>> What do you have to say about that? And I tell them that.
>> Wow, that is a very good cultural->> Yeah.
>> Okay. Okay. Awesome. Okay. Great. Is there anything else that you do in your family that helps you succeed in-that helps-- not just you but your other family? Like so, the talking, that your father asks you and him telling you to talk>> Mm-hmm.
>> Anything else? Has your mom said anything about school?
>> My mom is similar in that sense. She's always trying to get us to do like these summer programs and-- well, like
when we were younger.
>> Oh, okay.
>> She was like Trevor, this would be a good opportunity for you because it will help you have money for college later,
and it's like a thing that her work does.
>> Okay.
>> So she's always trying to do things like that.
>> And how about your aunts and uncles? Did they encourage school?
>> They encouraged school, but I don't know necessarily how-- -- like how adamant they are about it. I know all their
kids-- the kids that are old enough are in school right now. There's only so many of us right now in my generation of
kids. I think there's only-- four or so of us right now that are old enough to go, and then the other one does not go to
college.
>> Did your cousins go to college?
>> They are currently in college.
>> Okay.
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>> Yeah. They're actually younger. Two of them are younger than me, one is older than me, but he's not in college.
>> Was he a 1.5?
>> No. But he-- did he finish high school? I can't remember if he got his diploma or not.
>> So, speaking of your cousins->> Uh-huh.
>> -- how come they went college and the number one cousin didn't go to college?
>> I think he had some internalized issues with his parents.
>> Okay.
>> Conflicts. They-- I don't want to talk bad, but they didn't have a good relationship.
>> Okay.
>> So, I think that was part of it. Because I've talked to my cousin about it, and he's mentioned it a few times. He's like
it makes me not even want to do anything. He just wants to get out of the house, really.
>> So, speaking of, now-- you talked about how your father encouraged you to talk to your little brother and sisters, you
talked about how your mother telling you to do summer programs.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Specifically, were there any church, dance, cultural groups, institutions, teachers, friends, that helped you achieve
where you're at now? Like, if you looked back at your life, you talked about church-- that's a big one.
>> Yeah.
>> Family, and then you talked about your mom telling you, but what about-- I don't know if you're on a dance team,
but->> I used to be.
>> Okay. Cultural groups, friends, I mean you talked about your mentor, right?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Anything else you think that-- like that's a very strong package you have mom and dad, plus you have church, that's
like, those are->> Mm-hmm.
>> Was there anything else that-- do you think that within the community that encouraged you to be successful in
college?
>> I think the fact that the-- at least the Mien community in like the Central Valley is starting to get really good about
celebrating success in school.
>> Oh, okay.
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>> Yeah. So, like every year we have-- it's the Mien New Year->> Okay.
>> -- which is like the Chinese New Year.
>> Mm-hmm. When in the Mien New Year?
>> February.
>> Okay.
>> I forgot the actual date.
>> Mein New Year. Okay.
>> It's in our calendar, basically.
>> Okay. February-- go on.
>> And so, we do those every year, there's a special section that's dedicated for the High School graduates of that year.
>> Oh, interesting.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> So you get recognized by the entire community.
>> Yeah. So I think that's a good think that's a good thing that they're trying to do right there.
>> Okay.
>> Definitely helping.
>> Okay. Very cool.
>> Yeah.
>> Where is the Mien New Year?
>> As of recently, it's been like in [inaudible]. There's a hall there that we use.
>> What's rosey [phonetic]?
>> [inaudible] It's a small town.
>> How do you spell it?
>> O->> O->> R-file:///C/...ral%20Valley%20Southeast%20Asian%20Successful%20Voices/Files%20for%20upload/2_Trevor_Saephan_Mien_Male.clean.txt[3/10/2022 9:01:21 AM]
>> R->> I don't even know. Let me look it up really quick.
>> A-rosey? [phonetic]
>> It's very small.
>> Is this in Visalia?
>> It's like slightly north of Visalia.
>> Okay, north of Visalia. It's a city?
>> Yeah. Rosey color [phonetic]. It's like-- do know where [inaudible] is?
>> No. I'm not from this area.
>> Oh, that's right.
>> Sorry.
>> So-- do you know? Oh, yeah. So Visalia is->> I'll find it.
>> Yeah. It's not that far from Visalia.
>> So, during that Mien New Year, the high school students they all are recognized? And what, would they call their
names up?
>> Yeah, they mention the names, and they have like a little-- I think they give them a small-- what's the word I'm
looking for?
>> Plaque? Certificate?
>> Yeah, that and then a scholarship.
>> Oh, wow!
>> A small one. Not super huge, but it's definitely something to encourage them about.
>> It is, it is. And then what about for BA's? Do they do anything for college at all?
>> We don't have anything for that, as of right now.
>> You'll have to start later.
>> We could.
>> You can start later-- every year.
>> I think as-file:///C/...ral%20Valley%20Southeast%20Asian%20Successful%20Voices/Files%20for%20upload/2_Trevor_Saephan_Mien_Male.clean.txt[3/10/2022 9:01:21 AM]
>> Yeah.
>> -- the generations get older, or our generations get older we'll probably start doing that.
>> And there's going to be more AA's and BA's.
>> Right.
>> That's for you to start.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Okay. What makes-- it seems like you're very goal oriented. What makes you pursue or do-- what makes you pursue
like leader-- I mean, these are obviously leadership roles that you've done in your family and in the community as well
as in Fresno. What makes you pursue leadership roles? Or Mien in general? Like, what-- why have you done these
leadership roles?
>> I think it's the fact that I actually care for like the younger generations.
>> Okay.
>> I have a pretty strong-- well, I have a pretty soft spot in myself for like kids, so, I think that's probably why. You
know, I mentioned like my parents got divorced and all that stuff. I had some difficulties growing up. So I know how
hard it can to be growing up and trying to go to school at the same time. You don't really care, and so->> Okay.
>> Because I had a good support group.
>> Okay.
>> And good parents I was able to-- you know-- overcome that. Because it could have been easy for me to just like step
out and not do anything. But I didn't. Because I had a lot of people supporting me and encouraging me. So that's why I
want to be able to help other people.
>> So when you see people that don't graduate such as Southeast Asian males, why do you think some Southeast Asian
males are not persisting? Because I think you answered the question->> Yeah.
>> -- like earlier, and we may have the option, but in particular, do you-- I mean, is there anything else you see like why
Southeast Asian males are not you know, as high as women?
>> I think again, it kind of goes with this support group. See, for me, my grandma tells me to go to school and finish,
but I don't know about everybody else. A lot of people-- a lot of people's grandparents actually kind of do their own
thing.
>> Okay.
>> They're very focused on like, their ag work because that's their way of life right now. And I think that's the
difference.
>> Oh.
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>> See, even though my grandma does ag work a lot, she stills calls me every now and then. She knows how to use a
cell phone.
>> Oh, wow. That's impressive.
>> She-- mm-hmm.
>> Very impressive. She knows numbers.
>> Holy moly [phonetic].
>> She knows-- she's doing quite well. She doesn't->> That's->> -- her English is not fluent, but she knows enough. She knows some words.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> But she does call me every now and then asking me how I'm doing, make sure to do well in school also.
>> So she's like basically like what you're doing for your little brother.
>> Yeah.
>> So it's like a chain.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> So she checks up on everybody. And here's the thing. My grandma is not just to one person. She checks on
everybody.
>> Really?
>> Yeah. We always talk about how our grandma will call us randomly one time and tell us to be safe and don't go
outside and all these random thing. Remember, like a couple years ago, she was like, you're going to be home alone this
weekend, huh? And I was like yeah, and she was like, okay, don't play with fire.
>> Okay, that's cool.
>> Yeah. She's just real-- she's very caring, you know?
>> Very-- all that.
>> You can definitely tell.
>> Awesome.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> All right.
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>> I think I'm very lucky with that as well.
>> Great. Well, this is actually a question I-- this is the last few questions-- and then the last, last question is actually do
you think I should ask any other questions, or do you want to volunteer anything else or do you think I should ask any
additional questions to improve college rates? Like, but this is my last three questions. Let's see-- Okay, so-- this is
actually from-- okay, so the last question, if you see on the thing-- is actually for African Americans. This one guy, Sean
Harper [phonetic]->> Mm-hmm.
>> -- he's doing his own study on African American men, because African American men also have a lower graduation
than African American women, and so I actually took this question from him. So, if it doesn't apply, just say no
applying.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Okay? Because this is a question particularly for African American men.
>> Okay.
>> Despite transition issues, racist stereotypes, and academic unpreparedness, are there other negative forces towards-and for him it was African American men->> Right.
>> But for you, it would be for Southeast Asian men.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Do you think there's any negative forces toward Southeast Asian men in general? Other than stereotypes, academic
unpreparedness, transition, all those usuals [phonetic].
>> Yeah.
>> Do you think any particular to Southeast Asian men?
>> Mm-hmm. I think if you're going to look at negatives, a lot of them are actually involved in gangs at one point.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> So, I know a lot of us are seen as like probably like scruffy, thug-ish [phonetic] looking people. And growing up I
was around some of that. I was-- quite a few of that-- a lot of that, too, actually. So->> There are Asian gangs? There are Asian-- really?
>> There are a lot of Hmong gangs.
>> There are?
>> Mm-hmm. In this area.
>> I've never heard that, ever.
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>> Just to be specific.
>> I've never heard that.
>> I've actually been at a home wedding before, and there was a shooting right outside. I was actually walking. And
then it started. And I actually had to run back into like->> Oh, no!
>> -- the other person's house.
>> There are Asian gangs?
>> Yeah. In this area, big time.
>> How? I've never seen it. Okay.
>> Maybe not so much like in this area, but like-- you know how we have like our own kind of like little Asian-- like
oriental area-- we have an oriental area here in Fresno.
>> Is it northeast?
>> I think->> Is it?
>> -- more northeast->> I did ask where the Asians are.
>> Yeah. But I drove there, and I couldn't find any places.
>> Look->> There was like one donut shop.
>> Look up->> [inaudible] where are we?
>> I forgot what the road was, to be honest. I think it's like First and King's Canyon?
>> But are there actual gangs? Because in Orange County, all the little Vietnamese groups-- there's groups of guys, but
they're not gangs.
>> There is->> But some are, but some are not.
>> -- there are actual gangs.
>> Really?
>> Now, whether-- how big it is, I'm not sure, but there are people.
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>> But what's the->> And it even involves them going against people like Hispanic gangs as well.
>> But what's the point of being in an Asian gang? I mean-- do you make money? Like, what is the actual point of it?
>> I think it's for them to find a certain community of their own of some sort. Maybe they didn't get it at home or
something. They didn't have good relationships at home or something.
>> But the Hmong community is pretty big, right?
>> Yeah.
>> So they don't-- they can't find community in their own Hmong communities, so they create a gang like that? Or->> I think some guys just get it in their head that they want to be tough.
>> Okay.
>> I don't know what the actual reasons are for gangs, but I know->> Is it a first gen thing? Or is it actually even a second gen thing?
>> I want to say it's almost either->> What?
>> -- somewhere between 1.5 and second.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. But do you see-- okay, so for our documentary we saw, [inaudible] he's obviously first generation.
>> Yeah.
>> Or maybe 1.5, but probably first.
>> Yeah.
>> But do you think Kelly and Tony's kids will join a gang? Do you think?
>> I think not, just because of Kelly.
>> Right, right.
>> Yeah.
>> So->> Which, I think we saw the ending of that.
>> We did, yeah.
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>> I think I looked at photos.
>> Yeah.
>> I think the kids are doing well.
>> Yeah. The kids are going to college.
>> Yeah.
>> That's a for sure.
>> They're like my age.
>> They are. You probably know them.
>> That's what I was wondering. I'm like I wonder if I met them at some point. [inaudible] Or my parents probably-- I
probably know people who know them, is what I'm saying.
>> I think so.
>> Yeah.
>> They're from Oakland, though.
>> Yeah. I know a lot of people in Oakland.
>> Oh, really?
>> There's actually a good amount of Mien people in Oakland.
>> Oh, my God. You probably could find them at a party one day. You're like, I saw a documentary of your parents!
>> Yeah, yeah. [inaudible] I know you guys.
>> They're like you're a creep, but I saw you as a baby!
>> Yeah, yeah.
>> Okay.
>> That is true.
>> So, here is the second to last question. What can faculty and staff to do add meaningful, [inaudible] relationships or
institution-- what can the institution do to improve to get more Southeast Asians into college? So, like what can-- what
can this college do, specifically. So you mention financial.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. So specifically, let's just go with Fresno State.
>> Uh-huh.
>> And before I already interviewed people at UCR and Cal Poly, so I would say UCR [inaudible] but this is what can
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Fresno State in particular do to help you graduate? Smaller classes, finance, like down the line->> Smaller classes would be great.
>> -- down the line.
>> I think, because I personally hate large, like seminar type like things like that. Like you know, those really like big
300 college rooms or whatever.
>> I love those. Okay.
>> I don't like those.
>> I love them.
>> Only because, like I said, I'm a very personable person, pretty intentional.
>> But anyone who has gone to a UC has never experienced->> Yeah.
>> -- the Cal State-- it's all 300.
>> Right. That is true. I've heard that.
>> They've never experienced it.
>> I prefer smaller classes. I will do a large class, but-- you know.
>> I have never done a small class in my life.
>> Oh, really?
>> Never.
>> How is it, then?
>> Oh, fine!
>> Just real quick.
>> It's great.
>> Yeah.
>> Like you don't know any difference, though.
>> Yeah, see, the reason I like the small classes is because you actually get to know people's names.
>> Yeah.
>> And then like class->> [inaudible] stadium.
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>> Yeah. Like I didn't-- like I had biology->> Uh-huh.
>> -- I mean I had anatomy. I hated going to anatomy.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Because I sat there like this, and I just sat there while she talked. Not that the class was bad or anything. It's just my
personal thing. I get distracted really easily. I would just start looking at something else or->> Okay. Smaller classes.
>> Yeah. I don't pay attention.
>> Anything else? What about financial aid?
>> Financial aid-- the weird thing is I used to get financial aid, now all of a sudden I don't, as soon as I get to a 4-year.
But when I was at a JC I did, which doesn't make sense to me. Which is what held me back.
>> Let me write that down.
>> Yeah.
>> Let me write that down. Okay. So, at the-- at the AA level you got financial aid?
>> Yeah.
>> Why don't you get it now? That's->> That's what I'm wondering. I don't know if it was because I started working. But that's only because I needed to start
working.
>> Okay.
>> Because live up here. I don't live at home any more.
>> Okay. I don't know who that is. Okay. So at the AA level, you did get financial aid.
>> Yeah.
>> So, that's very important.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Okay. But you did not get it at the 4-year level.
>> Yeah.
>> Hmm. That's a problem.
>> Mm-hmm.
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>> Okay. So basically, you would want a full financial aid package. Like a help or free college? Is that->> I'm saying some help would be nice.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. Especially with Asian-- Southeast Asian communities. A lot of us-- a lot of them are low income. You know
what I mean?
>> Sure.
>> I mean I'm a little bit special in terms of like having parents who went to college and stuff.
>> That is very-- you're the first one I've ever met.
>> Yeah.
>> Like I've done already 26.
>> Yeah.
>> Not even one parent. Like Cambodians->> Yeah.
>> -- Hmong. Not even one.
>> Yeah.
>> Why is it that your parents-- I don't want to-- I mean-- this-- I mean, why did your parents go to college? Because
that's like really rare.
>> I think my dad was super driven.
>> That's really rare. That's-- honestly->> Like-- yeah.
>> -- that's unicorn level.
>> Like-- because my dad's the one who encouraged my mom to do it and everything.
>> Wow.
>> So I just wanted-- I kind of just want to say my dad's real special in that sense.
>> He is. Obviously, first gen->> Yeah.
>> -- because he-- wouldn't he be the same generation as Tony?
>> I think so, yeah. They're probably around the same age.
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>> And they probably went through the same thing.
>> Yeah.
>> He went the route of->> Mm-hmm.
>> Wow.
>> Mm-hmm. That's what I'm saying. If you want to interview him, you should interview him.
>> Yeah. I think that his story would be like tougher than yours, probably. But-- like he's->> I've heard his stories.
>> He's blazed a trail for his own family.
>> Yeah.
>> And you're-- I mean, that's great. Okay.
>> And I'm trying to keep it going.
>> All right. That's great!
>> Yeah.
>> Okay, so definitely your father and mother are the rare unicorns.
>> Yeah.
>> Free college, smaller classes, what else do you want and need?
>> I think-- I mean I know we have like a Hmong club now, but I think it would be cool to-- because you know,
sometimes I see like out in the-- like in the court here, like different cultures like being represented and they're doing
like all these things.
>> We could start a Mien club.
>> Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I think there needs to be a way to encourage like-- for us. I don't->> I think that would be cool.
>> Yeah.
>> There's just as many Cambodians as there are Mien [inaudible]
>> Oh, I'm sure, yeah.
>> There's a tiny Cambodian club with like four people, and they've had one.
>> Yeah. See.
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>> Yeah.
>> I-- that's what's I'm saying. I think we need-- we need to find a way to-- I don't know. I don't know how [inaudible] I
can do that, but I'm just saying in general.
>> Well I know-- all you do is you go into the cross-cultural center.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Or you go to your department, and you say I want to start a club.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> And then do you have an advisor-- I can be your advisor.
>> Uh-huh.
>> And then-- if you want. [inaudible] Like there might be a Mien professor [inaudible]
>> I think Susie was going to get on that. I need to talk to Susie.
>> I did talk to her about it.
>> Oh, did you?
>> She said that I think because she's a part-time student->> Uh-huh.
>> -- there's some issue, but->> Oh.
>> But if the Cambodians who have four members can start a club->> Yeah.
>> -- so can the Mien. I was like->> Yeah.
>> And then you just do one thing every year or two things. Because once you start a club, they give you a pot of $500
to $1000 that you can use for anything for your club.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> You could do a potluck, you could sell food, you could go to Mien New Year together. It can be cool for you guys to
do. So, the Hmong, every year they do an education seminar. Every year.
>> That's good.
>> So they have a pre-set. So the other ones are like-- they don't really know. Cambodians don't know what to do
because--
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>> Yeah.
>> -- it's like do this, do that? Every year they have to reinvent it. But the Hmong, every year education seminar.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> It doesn't matter.
>> Right.
>> It doesn't matter, the president.
>> Yeah.
>> So if you started it, you would just have something every year.
>> Yeah.
>> So then the next Mien that takes over, okay, we're doing Mien New Year every year.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> You know you have that pot of $1000 or $500 or whatever.
>> Yeah.
>> But that's pretty good.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah, I encourage you to do it. I mean it would help.
>> Try to get one going before I leave and graduate.
>> I think that it could help you.
>> Yeah.
>> Because I think there's more than just you [inaudible]
>> I-- no. There definitely are more.
>> Yeah.
>> I just don't know who is here. Like all of them.
>> We have a system->> Yeah.
>> -- on campus where people-- they have to identify their ethnicity.
>> Yeah.
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>> So, how-- what the Cambodians did is they went to this college of institutional effectiveness, and they got all the
emails->> Oh.
>> -- of every Cambodian on campus.
>> Oh.
>> And they mass-emailed them.
>> Nice.
>> That's how they got the four.
>> Oh.
>> That's how Jenny knows-- she's one of the four.
>> Oh, yeah. Got it.
>> So, yeah. You could-- there's a way for you to access every single Mien on campus, actually.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah, see, this is the first time I've ever seen another Mien person in the same class. [inaudible] Yeah-- at Fresno
State, and I've been here for-- this is my second year now.
>> What?
>> Yeah-- so->> Oh, my gosh.
>> -- first time.
>> Really?
>> Yeah.
>> I'll ask Susie, because I'm interviewing her at 12:00.
>> Oh, yeah, that's right.
>> [inaudible] is this the first time?
>> Yeah.
>> I wonder if [inaudible] Is she from Visalia?
>> Not originally, I don't believe.
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>> Okay.
>> I think-- yeah.
>> Okay. So maybe-- seriously-- maybe a cultural club you might need? Okay.
>> I think so. That would be cool.
>> What do you need your professors-- okay, so, institutionally you need smaller classes. Institutionally you need free
financial aid. Like, you need financial aid.
>> Yeah.
>> And then of course personally you have parents who are like unicorns.
>> Yeah.
>> Culturally, a club. Right?
>> Yeah.
>> What do you need from your professors for you to graduate through? Of course you will graduate through.
>> Uh-huh.
>> But what do you need?
>> I think I need people to see that they are actually enjoying the fact that they are teaching.
>> Okay.
>> Some people don't look that way. You know what I mean?
>> Okay.
>> Like from you especially like in this last semester I can tell you are very passionate about like your studies and work.
Like I can just tell.
>> Okay.
>> And it brings my-- and it piques my interest and I started getting into it and that's why I actually enjoy coming to the
class. Like I said there's just some classes were them just like why my here if you don't even care kind of thing.
>> Okay.
>> And that's a big thing for me.
>> Professor enjoyment, I guess.
>> Yeah.
>> Well, you guys are my passion.
>> Yeah.
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>> So->> Mm-hmm.
>> I want you guys to succeed. I'm a 1.5. So my cousins took 10 years at Cal Poly. But I don't understand. They are
second generation.
>> Yeah.
>> And their parents speak perfect English.
>> Yeah.
>> I mean not perfect English, but->> Uh-huh.
>> -- very fluent English. But my parents speak no English.
>> Yeah.
>> So I'm like why is that?
>> Yeah.
>> Why is that? It was like easier for you.
>> Yeah.
>> But I'm kind of-- I don't know. Like-- yeah. Okay. So, what else? Is there anything? Secretaries, anything the library
can do? Like down the line. Parking, library, police->> I think the advisors needed to do a better job.
>> Advisors? What do the advisors need to do for you?
>> First of all, I had to contact mind first. I've only talked to him once.
>> I think all students have to contact their advisor first.
>> Right.
>> It's not like-- yeah.
>> But the thing is like I've heard a lot of stories people saying like oh-- [inaudible] I've heard a lot-- but-- I've heard a
lot of stories of people saying that you know how when you're like trying to figure out what classes to take every year
and stuff? Like you are supposed to come up with a plan? Sometimes that doesn't-- you know go the way it needs to.
And I know you are supposed to seek them out first, but I guess a lot of-- I've heard people say that their counselor or
advisor just told them to look on their [inaudible] that thing, you know? We have a-- in our portal login it tells us what
classes we are studying and stuff.
>> Okay.
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>> But why would you just tell students to just go look at that? Like what if some people don't have-- like don't know
how to access it necessarily? You know? I mean they might know how to login and look at their different classes, but
they don't know how to look at other things, you know?
>> Okay. So do you need like a portal just for students? Because I think those counselors have to counsel a couple
thousand.
>> Right.
>> So I understand like they would say that because->> Yeah. I mean I understand->> -- [inaudible] thousands of people [inaudible]->> Yeah. Yeah.
>> But I mean-- do you need like a special app? Would you want an app? Do you want->> I think-- it's not necessarily like a-- that-- okay, maybe I phrased that wrong. But like I think there needs to be a way
to make it-- or like some way to educate-- like a small-- like a small-- like you know how like there's a way for people to
learn how to use Blackboard?
>> Okay.
>> I there would be a good way-- I think it would be good for them to learn how to do all these little things, too.
>> Yes. So, are you saying that you want a workshop?
>> Maybe a workshop, yeah.
>> A workshop?
>> Provide workshops for->> Workshop->> Yeah.
>> Workshop for new students how to work->> Like their student portal.
>> Workshop to->> Or their My Fresno State account.
>> -- provide->> Yeah.
>> -- student-- that's actually something actual that can happen, right?
>> Right.
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>> That's something that for sure, like you said, that you need that->> Yeah.
>> -- we can do.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay?
>> Because I know for me, I had to play with all those little tabs and look around for me to figure everything out.
>> So, you want a workshop to provide student port information?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Portal->> I think that would be good.
>> -- information. Okay, so you want someone to-- and this is something in the like welcome package or something? Or
something like that? Okay.
>> Something like that, yeah.
>> All right. And then that would go along with Blackboard, et cetera->> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> I think that would be good.
>> All right. Okay, great. So, I think that's it. Thank you so much. Let me switch your [inaudible] That's-- no more
questions left. Thank you so much. Is there anything else you want to mention in the survey? Do you think these are
adequate questions to ask Southeast Asians how to improve or-- because I'm looking for specific things that-- I can't
address societal->> Yeah.
>> -- you know, gangs, or whatever->> Yeah.
>> -- but what can we do at Fresno State to get a Susie or [inaudible]?
>> I think just-- again, I think it's just a lot of encouragement.
>> Okay.
>> Because-- you'd be surprised how much like just having people-- good people telling you that you can do it helps
out, you know what I mean? Because a lot of times I think a lot of people tell themselves like this is hard, but then when
you hear other people telling you like you can do it-- you continue-- like you know what, yeah, I can do it. I will do it.
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Like, you know?
>> All right. Great.
>> So->> All right. Great. Do you think I need to ask any other questions at all?
>> Not at the top of my head, no.
>> Okay. So, I'm going to email you back this, right now. And they're just notes.
>> Yeah.
>> Like literally, just-- I'm just random notes. And so please tell me if you approve or disapprove. And you can delete
anything you want to do. So, I did it as literally just notes.
>> Okay.
>> And feel free to glance at it. But looking through, if you can actually email me back and say I approve of these notes,
and then-- or disapprove-- and then you can change whatever you want.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Most people don't change it, but you can, obviously. I mean it doesn't-- because I'm looking-- although I look at the-the part I focus on is not so much the barriers, I focus on the bridges.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Which is like workshop, financial aid, encouragement, those things.
>> Yeah.
>> Like those are-- because in the end I'm going to have a list, and I'm going to go to President Castro [phonetic] and
say, I interviewed 50 people. They say they want a workshop.
>> Yeah.
>> He can make a workshop happen for you guys. Like, so thank you so much. I can't tell you how much this interview
has been wonderful for me, but also I think it will impact for sure, the thousands of Southeast Asians that will come
after you. So, if you can-- feel free to contact me if you think of anything else that you need at Fresno State that we can
provide for you.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Okay, great. Let me turn this off.
>> Okay.
>> So, let's see-- okay-- thank you.
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