CULTURE—Asian students find difficulty in navigating predominantly white institutions

Mar 25

At PWIs, Asian and Asian-American students find difficulties finding belonging in spaces where they are not heard or understood.

AUBURN, Ala.—Khavy Pham, a freshman at Auburn University, sits in a lecture hall of 200 fellow students. As the professor drones on, she looks around at her classmates. Immediately a rush of awareness runs through her.

"I'm literally the only like, person of color, not even just Asian but the only person of color." Pham said. After class she finds it difficult to connect with peers. Rarely does she ask fellow classmates to study or hang out.

Pham is one of approximately 760 Asian and Asian-American students at Auburn University. That's 2.5% of the over 30,000 enrolled students at Auburn University, according to Data Usa. At over 75%, white students make up the majority of the student population.

According to IGI Global, Predominately White Institutions are institutions where "Caucasian students make up over 50% of the student population. "PWIs are also described as institutions whose "histories, policies, practices, and ideologies center whiteness or the white majority" and "strong anti-racist program can be met with resistance."

The differences of the Asian experience can lead to many problems. According to researchers Christine M. Cress and Elaine K. Ikeda, stressors like minority status, racism, cultural conflicts, immigrant status, and refugee experiences can contribute to depression in Asian students on college campuses.

Loneliness

According to BMC Psychiatry, loneliness and depression feed into each other. The awareness of loneliness can cause an individual's mood to worsen leading to a more depressive state.

For Ethan Nguyen, a junior studying graphic design at Auburn University, loneliness resonates when he is on campus. "There is that kind of isolation in your head. You're like, I'm the only person representing my story. Because when you look around, it's like, you know, this is a majority white campus. And you're kind of comparing yourself to others. And you maybe feel like you're out of place because your experience is not the same as theirs."

Voices echoed in Nguyen's head reminding him “You're alone. You're the only one." The weight and need to "represent his story" as an Asian-American feels heavier and more demanding.

Difficulties in talking about or relating the experience of Asian inequalities can lead to more isolation. Pham said, "[Being the only Asian person] was hard because other people couldn't really understand my struggles unless they were like Asian themselves."

Awareness

Awareness of minority status weighs on the minds of many Asian students at Auburn University. My Ly, a junior journalism student at Auburn University, said, "Being a minority in general just like shapes you so much as a person. It's like everything you do is fostered by your minority experiences and that lens.

An awareness of minority status can be even more difficult when experienced for the first time. Dr. Arianne Gaetano, professor of Asian studies at Auburn University, points out that international students from Asian countries like China, Japan or Vietnam become "racialized," or aware of their own race, for the first time when they come to America for college. " That can be very jarring to have that mirror held up to you. And that's often not a friendly mirror,” she said.

For others Asian identity can be hard to identify. Korey Butler, a junior at Auburn, is a Chinese adoptee. "Due to the way I was raised I come off as very American," said Lee. "I would just say I'm probably a southern raised American that just happens to look like an Asian person."

Studies show almost two-thirds of transracial adoptees do not identify with their own race and many identify with being white. Researcher Soleil S. Groh points out this status as "honorary white" can help transracial adoptees navigate and feel a sense of belonging with their complex racial identity. In addition, researcher Frances Elizabeth McDermott found that among Asian-American transracial adoptees can find it difficult to balance their Asian and white identities and utilizing on campus resources for minority students.

Regardless of background, the recognition of being different from their peers can be difficult for many Asian students.

Being Abroad

In addition to physical appearance, cultural differences can isolate Asian students from their peers.

Dr. Ellie Lee, director of the Auburn University Kore Center-King Sejong Institute, said the main difference between international Korean students and American students is the value of collectivism versus individualism. Lee said international Korean students tend to be more collectivist or prone to working together, and American students tend to be more individualistic and want to do their own thing.

This can create tension when it comes to perceptions. "Korean students like who just came here from Korea might view Americans as little bit selfish, just because, you know, they are used to like, doing things together and then less voicing their own opinions, whereas like here people are voicing their opinion."

Language can also create barriers between domestic and international students. JiaJia Liu, an international student from China, said fluency can be big factor in forming relationships for international students. "They can succeed in basic communication to do the work or assignment, but to make friends no."

Classroom structure also differs between the United States and other countries. Gaetano said Chinese pedagogy, or teaching practices, focuses more on direct lectures and "rote memorization." In American classrooms it's more about discussions and bringing unique perspectives to the material. "This whole originality and creativity. That's a different type of pedagogy."

The goals of international students can also affect their experience studying in America. “Most of them come here for education or experience," Liu said. Some will "immerse themselves in American culture," but many will stick to their own culture and their own people.

The Rise of Anti-Asian Sentiments

Over the past few years Anti-Asian sentiments, have become more prevalent. My Ly, a junior journalism student at Auburn University, found that this new level of discrimination can be difficult to navigate. " I think with Asian American hate crimes rising, it was such a big deal because Asian Americans haven't faced that level of discrimination and fear"

Ly also said it can be difficult to speak about the inequalities Asian-Americans face, when compared to other minority groups. "I can never ever equate my oppression and my struggles with a Black woman or a Black student. I think that Asian-Americans are so hesitant to admit that because it's in a sense very invalidating to want to say, I am not treated as bad as other minorities.”

Lee said it can be difficult for Asian individuals to ask for help or resources because it can feel like all minority groups are "competing" to be recognized. "A lot of other minority groups view Asians as the most fortunate group of them, which might not be always the case."

For Pham, she finds herself "nervous to go outside" due to the rise in Anti-Asian crimes. "What if somebody just decides to jump me or something? What am I supposed to do?"

Nguyen finds it "awkward" and difficult to talk about his oppression with his white peers. "They've had like that privileged life that maybe I didn't experience. So yeah, a little bit of awkwardness there and a little bit of worry how they're going to react to hearing what I have to say about them."

The Auburn Experience

Students choose Auburn University for many reasons. Nguyen chose Auburn because his sisters also attended the university and the program he wanted to major in was offered. Nguyen said his Asian identity brought "anxiety" to mind when getting ready to come to Auburn. "I knew I was going to look different from everyone in the crowd."

Auburn University has created a campaign around the experience students have—the Auburn Experience. However, when students feel a sense of other-ness, it can be hard to relate to this supposed universal experience.

"I would say my Auburn experience is definitely a lot different from what they expect the Auburn experience to be because I feel like they kind of have this cult idea of perfection," said Nguyen. "There's definitely kind of like this idealistic image and then like the real experience."

Reaching Out

Auburn University offers many programs to promote inclusion and diversity like the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, the Office of International Programs, Auburn Abroad and countless student organizations.

Many Asian students, however, still find it difficult to navigate PWIs due to countless factors. Whether it's feeling disconnected from peers, not seeing their heritage well-represented or fighting barriers of culture and language differences, Auburn University's efforts can only do so much.

Lee encourages Asian students who feel isolated because of their heritage to join the club on campus for their cultural group. "I think that's how you get yourself more actively involved through the medium of your own culture."

For many Asian students the search for a community of those who are of the same heritage is a hunt. Rarely do white students have to look for people of the same experience or heritage when they are the majority population on campus.

After a long day of classes, Pham looks forward to attending the weekly Vietnamese Student Association Meeting. While she usually arrives late, she is greeted by the warm and "lively" VSA members. "If I'm having a bad day, like that would be something that would like brighten up my day," said Pham.

For Pham who grew up in a small, predominately white area VSA provides her a community she's never had before. "The first time I saw them, I was like, I've never seen so many Asian people in my life," Pham said.

While not a perfect solution, perhaps there is nothing better than finding those who have lived the same experiences, know the same language and practice the same traditions as you. If only it were easier for Asian students at PWIs to find their beloved community.

Juliane Vo