Undergraduate Ambassadors
Asian Studies Ambassadors are available to informally answer questions from a student's perspective about the Asian Studies major/minor, classes, student organization, and opportunities for undergraduates. For academic advising, please contact our Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Sidney Lu (slu@rice.edu).
Bryson Jun ('25)
bjj4@rice.edu
What's your favorite thing about the Asian Studies major?
"The Asian Studies major offers not only a wide breadth of interesting classes but also opportunities to participate in research and internships. Through the Asian Studies major I've had the opportunity to reflect upon my own journey and identity as a Korean American who has moved back and forth between South Korea and the US, to deepen my understanding of Japan through Japanese language and history courses, and to engage with the different perspectives of my peers and professors."
Carmine Steiner ('27)
ccs11@rice.edu
What's your favorite thing about the Asian Studies major?
"I'd have to say the diverse range of courses the major offers! Even if your interests align more with STEM fields, there are an array of courses that integrate these narratives in the context of Asian studies. Overall, the diverse range of courses has allowed me to not only explore topics of interest but has also encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. Each course I've taken has offered new insights into how I view the world around me and has taught me skills I can apply across my coursework here at Rice."
Joshua Yang ('27)
jy127@rice.edu
What's your favorite thing about the Asian Studies major?
"My favorite thing about the Asian Studies Major is the flexibility to study anything I want to! Although I am on the language track, I enjoy taking other Asian Studies classes to explore different topics. "
Graduate Ambassador
Our Asian Studies Graduate Ambassador is available to informally answer questions from a graduate student’s experience. Are you a graduate student interested in pursuing Asia-related research topics? Are you an undergraduate thinking about continuing your education in graduate school? Reach out to get an insider perspective on these topics and more!
Zainab Abdali
za10@rice.edu
What is your favorite part about your involvement with the TAS/CCAS?
“I love the support that the department provides for graduate students, including research funding and funding for initiatives like RADAAR. The Chao Center has allowed graduate students to be part of a thriving Asian Studies community that we cannot find in our individual departments, and opened a lot of avenues for us for interdisciplinary research and community-building.”