|
Cal’s Vietnamese Student Association is an organization that serves to educate the general public about the Vietnamese culture, as well as to allow members to celebrate and embrace its aspects and traditions. The group does so in many ways, but our 3 biggest programs are the Anh/Chi/Em (Big/Little) Program, the VISION (high school mentoring) Program, and the annual Culture Show! The Anh/Chi/Em pairs older members with newer ones so that they may grow and learn with each other during an important phase of their life, as well as to create strong, lasting bonds. The VISION program brings in underrepresented high-schoolers to our campus and aims to provide them with the tools necessary to become leaders, through workshops, discussions, and meaningful bonding. The Culture Show is a large-scale production that serves to exemplify some aspect of Vietnamese history to the public, raising awareness to the struggles we have faced as a culture, but also to the beauty and strength within our culture as well.
Because I have had the pleasure to experience all three of these major programs, as well as attending most of the informational yet comfortable meetings, I truly believe that the qualities Cal VSA possess should be sought out by all organization on campus. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the meetings informational, yet fun and comfortable, and the people… simply wonderful. You’ll find a large variety of ages, interests, and opinions among this group of members, but what doesn’t differ in any of them is their love for the Vietnamese culture and their willingness to embrace it and spread that love to the Cal community. I have learned so much more about my culture that I didn’t even know I was a part of before college, and I have made the closest of friends along the way. We welcome all of you with open arms and minds. |