Hey guys,

It’s finally here, ASA’s biggest event of the spring semester- LNY! Get excited for a delicious catered diner, an amazing show featuring 17 amazing Duke student groups, and an unforgettable afterparty this Saturday.

This February, we will be bringing to you one of the best cultural shows on campus, Lunar New Year 2013! It’s the Year of the Snake and we have an amazing line up in store with performances ranging from an exclusive fashion show and lion dance to dance performances from DefMo and DCD, and the ever popular Martial Arts Act. This is one show you won’t want to miss. Pick up your tickets for the show and dinner on the BC plaza this week, from 12-3 PM everyday! Show tickets and dinner tickets are free!

Didn’t get to enjoy enough snow this winter? Still looking to fly down a mountain on your skis or snowboard? Come join ASA on our annual ski retreat at Sugar Mountain, one of our most exciting events. We’ll be driving over on Friday, March 1st, so you’ll have an entire day of fun on the slopes on Saturday. It will only cost you $60 for transportation and lodging! You can reserve your spot at our table on the BC Plaza any day this week from 12 PM – 3 PM (we’ll be taking cash only).

Duke University is proud to host TAASCON, the Triangle-Area Asian American Student Conference, to be held on Saturday, April 20th, 2013. This year’s theme is Recognize the Revolution. TAASCON is an opportunity for Duke student leaders to engage Asian/Asian American issues through a daylong series of interactive, challenging workshops. Our goal is to encourage participants to take the first steps towards understanding their identities as Asians/Asian Americans and their positions as actors in the Asian American movement. If you are interested, please join us as we encounter the realities Asians/Asian Americans face on campus and beyond, and strengthen relationships across the Asian/Asian American community. Submit your workshop idea at bit.ly/XiKLyq. Workshop submissions will accepted until Friday, March 22nd, 2013.

Mi Gente is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year! We will be hosting a series of events this semester to celebrate. The first event is Latin Culture Night at the Arts Annex on Friday, February 22nd from 5:30pm-7pm. We will have Sabrosura, grad student Kency Cornejo, and UNC senior spoken word poet Herrison Chicas come celebrate with us!

Are you looking for a summer internship or a job in the US after graduation?

Have you heard of work authorization process? CPT? OPT?

Do you know what advantages your F1/ J1 visa has for you?

What about the precautions that you should take when making career decisions?

Come out to a workshop sponsored by International Association and Duke Visa Services. This session will cover detailed application procedures as well as answer any questions you may have regarding the application process. Desserts will be provided as well.

What: Know your visa: OPT/CPT info session and workshop

Date: Monday, February 18th

Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Location: Social Sciences 136

Please RSVP at:

FB page:

Have a great week!

Your Executive Board,

Hey guys,

Come out and enjoy some awesome pho with us and the Vietnamese Students Association this week! We also have our annual LNY celebration and ski retreat coming up!

Take a break from mundane campus food or escape KVille’s bitter winter cold by enjoying a steaming hot bowl of authentic pho, a traditional Vietnamese dish presented by Duke’s Vietnamese Student Association and Asian Student’s Association. Come down to Keohane 4E on Monday, February 11th. The cost is only 7 dollars and all proceeds will go to charity for Durham’s Bhutanese and Sudanese refugee population. We accept FLEX or cash. Come promptly because we are expecting high demand for this event but we can only feed 60 hungry people.

This February, we will be bringing to you one of Duke’s premier cultural celebrations, Lunar New Year 2013! It’s the Year of the Snake and we have an amazing line up in store with performances ranging from an exclusive fashion show to dance performances from DefMo and DCDT, and the ever popular Martial Arts Act. Tickets are available for pickup at the box office. We will also be tabling on the BC, from 12-4 PM everyday, and in front of the East Campus Marketplace from 6-7 PM on Wednesdays through Fridays, so come get your tickets now! This is one show you won’t want to miss

Didn’t get to enjoy enough snow this winter? Still looking to fly down a mountain on your skis or snowboard? Come join ASA on our annual ski retreat at Sugar Mountain, one of our most exciting events. We’ll be driving over on Friday, March 1st, so you’ll have an entire day of fun on the slopes on Saturday. It will only cost you $60 for transportation and lodging! You can reserve your spot at our table on the BC Plaza any day this week from 12 PM – 3 PM (we’ll be taking cash only).

Hey! We are looking for a few more dancers to participate in the LNY Fashion Show! No dance experience required, and relatively simple choreo that can be learned in less than 3 hours. Please contact amy.flis@duke.edu or chelsea.pieroni@duke.edu if you are interested or have any questions. We will hold rehearsal Wed. 2/6 8-10pm and Sat. 2/9 3-5pm or can meet with you individually. If you want to be on the stage in this year’s LNY, this is your chance!

North Korea is one of the least understood places in the world and its government is perceived to be a major threat in East Asian security due to its possession of nuclear arms. The people of North Korea face great difficulties in human rights, food attainment, and basic freedoms that we take for granted. Two student refugees (ages 19 and 21) will be speaking at Duke University about their experiences living in and escaping from North Korea, as well as their hopes for the future in South Korea. The event will be followed by a short reception with refreshments, where attendees can speak with the refugees.

Dream Corps International is seeking mature, open-minded volunteers to participate in its 2013 Summer Volunteer Program in rural schools and villages of China.

THE PROGRAM

The 2013 Summer Volunteer Program is recruiting 50 volunteers to establish and develop libraries and related projects in 12 villages across rural China. The program strives to achieve the following with the dedication of volunteers:

o    Provide a rich variety of high quality books to underprivileged children, address inequity in resources between rural and urban areas

o    Create sustained impact by directly working with local school teachers and residents on issues of reading, education and beyond

o    Strive for open and mutual understanding through full cultural immersion

o    Practice social and civic responsibility through community service

o    Explore issues of education in the context of China’s political structure, historical background and socio-economic developments

WHY SHOULD YOU VOLUNTEER WITH DREAM CORPS.

o    Gain first-hand knowledge about rural China through experiential learning

o    Work with a team of brilliant volunteers with diverse backgrounds, build long-lasting friendships

o    Become part of the dynamic Dream Corps. community, and contribute to its sustained efforts in advancing educational equality

EXPENSE

Dream Corps. Summer Volunteer Program is a non-profit program. All library and reading program costs (costs for books, other equipment, and librarian training) will be covered by the organization.

Volunteers will need to cover their personal travel and accommodation costs. The in-country cost for the duration of the program is estimated to be around 400USD (2500RMB).

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are due 2/20. Please visit www.dreamcorps.org for details about the program and how to apply. You can also emaildreamcorpsduke@gmail.com or volunteer@dreamcorps.org for more information.

PROGRAM TIMELINE

Application Due 2/20

Pre-departure Training 3/24

Beijing Training 5/25 – 5/27

In China, where you’re born determines the opportunities you have Fewer than 2% of students in poor rural schools go to college, compared with 70% in wealthy urban schools. Teach For China believes this CAN and MUST be changed. Each year, TFC selects outstanding Chinese and US graduates to work as Teaching Fellows for two years. These Fellows will become leaders in their classrooms and go on to become leaders in a variety of fields committed to ending educational inequity in China. Teach For China is partnered with Teach For America and the global Teach For All network. Together, we are building a global movement committed to fundamentally changing the status quo.

To apply, visit our website: http://www.tfchina.org/apply/how-apply

Have a great week.

Your Executive Board,

Hey guys,

It’s already the second month of the semester! Although February is the shortest month, it seems to be the most action packed.

The Asian Students Association is proud to officially endorse Gurdane Bhutani for the Young Trustee position. We appreciate everyone’s unique perspective on student life, but we were most impressed by Gurdane’s commitment to keeping Duke accountable in developing its strong brand of diversity and innovation.

Duke Asian American Theater (DAAT) is proud to present a Staged Reading of scenes from Asian American Plays. One scene each will be read from “China Doll” by Elizabeth Wong, “12-1-A” by Wakako Yamauchi, “Tea” by Velina Hasu Houston, and “FOB” by David Henry Hwang. Start the night with the first Chinese American movie star Anna May Wong as she teaches a blonde actress how to act exotic. Next, travel to a Japanese internment camp in Poston, Arizona where a family must decide to which country their allegiance truly belongs. Jump ahead several years to discover the lives of Japanese war brides living in Kansas after World War II. End the night with a humorous scene in which a Chinese American college student tries to make a Chinese exchange student more American. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to explore Asian American history and identity in the past century!

Hope to see you at some of these amazing events!

Your Executive Board,

Hey guys,

January’s already almost over, and it seems like the month has gone by so quickly! But looking forward, we have a lot of great events lined up for you in February as well.

International Leadership Foundation Announces 2013 Summer Civic Fellowship Program for Asian Pacific American College Students in Washington, DC The International Leadership Foundation (ILF) is proud to announce that it is accepting applications for the 2013 Civic Fellowship program.  For the fourteenth year, ILF will award over 30 fellowships to Asian Pacific American college students who the ILF identifies as exhibiting the qualities and potential of a future business, community or professional leaders. The ILF Civic Fellows will spend eight to ten weeks next summer interning at federal government agencies in Washington, DC, gaining firsthand knowledge of the workings of American government.

Any undergraduate or graduate student of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage with at least a 3.0 GPA is eligible to apply. Applicants must be United States citizens. Students who wish to apply must submit their applications by February 1, 2013. Interested students can visit ILF’s website at www.ILEADER.org to apply online or learn more.

The ILF works with government agencies to place each Fellow in a structured summer internships in his or her area of interest.  In 2012, ILF Fellows interned in fourteen federal agencies, including Congress and the White House. ILF Fellows attend weekly seminars and other events to learn about government in addition to their internships.  Each Fellow receives a paid internship or $2,000 stipend, funded by the ILF and its sponsors. Students must pay for their own travel, housing and living expenses during their fellowships.

The ILF is a non-profit organization that promotes civic involvement and entrepreneurial spirit of the future leaders of the Asian Pacific American community.  Each year at its annual Awards Dinner, the ILF recognizes public service by distinguished APA community leaders. Past honorees include Hawaii Senator Dan Inouye, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Jackie Chan, AIDS activist David Ho, Olympic medalist Tony Dawson and business entrepreneur Kanwal Rekhi.

This upcoming February, the China National Symphony Orchestra will be coming to Duke University. Duke Performances is excited to present the ascendant 80-piece ensemble, which has been internationally hailed. The program will include XIA GUAN: First Movement of Earth Requiem; ZIANHAO HE/GANG CHEN: Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto (w/ Chuanyun Li, violin); and BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92. All student tickets (Duke, UNC, NC State, etc.) are priced at $10.

Duke Asian American Theater (DAAT) has its first big event coming up on Friday, February 8 at 7:30 pm. The event is a Staged Reading and we’ll be performing one scene each from “China Doll,” “Tea,” “12-1-A,” and “FOB.” We need one more director to direct the scene from “FOB.” “FOB” was written by David Henry Hwang and explores the relationships amongst two Chinese American college students and one Chinese exchange student in Los Angeles. We also need actors and people to read the stage directions. This is a very exciting opportunity to be involved in DAAT’s first big event! Please email rachel.whitney@duke.edu if you are interested in directing or acting.

Dream Corps, an innovative nonprofit organization, is looking for international volunteers to participate in its 2013 Summer Volunteer Program in rural villages and urban migrant communities in China. See the attached pdf for more information.

Have a great week!

Your Executive Board,

Hey guys,

These next couple weeks are so action packed, we’re sending out another digest with some additional opportunities you might be interested in!

———————

Hello everyone! I hope you all have had a wonderful break! Do you love LNY? OF COURSE YOU DO, and wouldn’t it be great to take part in a performance during the year of the Snake? The LNY Fashion Show gives people a chance to display their individuality and unique style. If you are interested, please come to our tryout on Saturday the Jan 19th, in the BC near the ticket office at 8:00PM! Whether you’d like to take part in the walk, the dance, or designing and making the costume and props, we would love to see you come out. No dance experience required! If you have any questions please feel free to contact me (Yi Zhu) at Thelordofnerds@gmail.com. Hope to see you guys there! Cheers.

To all underclassmen – this is a call to you. Are you looking for more than just a dorm? Do you have an interest in Asian culture and want a community to share that with? Come rush FUSION, Duke’s Asian cultural interest house! Founded Fall 2012 and located in Edens 1C (next to Pitchfork Provisions), we are one of the newest SLG’s on campus. We’re a group of students interested in Asian culture, stemming from the diverse blends of people we have in our founding class. Our newest additions to the house this year have included a brand new kitchen, ping-pong table, and a collaborative mural. We always know how to have a good time, so don’t hesitate – come swing by and get to know us at our events!

Some events to look out for:

Wed, January 16 @ 7 PM in Edens 1C – Crafts and door decs

Friday, January 18 @ 8 PM in Pitchfork Provisions – Dorm dinner

Sat, January 19 @ 9 PM off campus – Star Karaoke night ***IMPORTANT***If you would like to attend karaoke, please email rush chair Julia Zou by TOMORROW, Wednesday, at noon!***

To find out more about rush and our house, like our facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Official-Rush-Spring-2013/314217222012911 and check out our website athttp://fusionaci.wordpress.com. Questions can be directed to rush chairs Joseph Choi (joseph.choi@duke.edu) and Julia Zou (julia.zou@duke.edu).

If you watch America’s Got Talent and think, “I can do better than that!” then here’s your chance to show off and prove yourself to be the best of the best at the 2013 Chinese New Year Festival at the fairgrounds on Saturday, January 26.  Win a

marvelous trophy, plus there are cash prizes – $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place.  Our judges are kind – there is no Simon Cowell in sight!

Anyone is welcome to enter.  Complete the attached registration form and submit to talent@nctacas.org by noon on January 22 to enter.  Space is limited, so don’t wait!

Have a great week!

Your Executive Board,

Hey everyone,

Welcome back to campus! We hope you had a wonderfully relaxing break and are ready for all the events we’ve planned just for you.

Duke ASA is proud to be sponsoring TAASCON, the Triangle-Area Asian American Student Conference, to be held tentatively on Saturday, April 20th, 2013. TAASCON is an opportunity for Duke student leaders to engage with Asian/Asian American issues through a daylong series of interactive, challenging workshops. We challenge participants to take the first steps towards understanding their identities as Asians/Asian Americans and their positions as actors in the Asian American movement. At TAASCON, we make visible what is often invisible, and we create an open space that brings all the people and issues to the table. Join us as we encounter the realities Asians/Asian Americans face on this campus and beyond, and strengthen relationships across our Asian/Asian American community.

We are looking for 8-10 dedicated students to serve on this conference board. Board members will be instrumental in deciding which speakers/entertainers to bring to Duke, the content of the conference (workshops, specialty caucuses, panel discussions), and developing the materials (banners, flyers, tee-shirts, and other merchandise) for the month-long celebration. This is a semester long commitment until the event: we will meet bi-weekly until March, at which time conference chairs will be required to attend weekly meetings.

Please fill out the following application form if you are interested in joining the TAASCON Board for Spring 2013. If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail Duke ASA President Ting-Ting Zhou at zhou.tingting.qy@gmail.com. The deadline is Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at midnight.

The form can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dGQ2OFcxU3dzcHdDNmdkT004UTFpQkE6MQ.

The Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) is a relatively new Duke organization. Our mission: to go to various shelters around Durham and build relationships with the folks there. We also navigate the social services system with them and work on saving money. Also, CEF is one of just a few service organizations at Duke that’s local. We are having an interest meeting next Wednesday the 16th at 8 p.m.

Volunteers from Duke, North Carolina Central University, and the Durham community will gather at the Intramural Building on Wannamaker Drive to package thousands of meals, which will be distributed worldwide to areas in need by the Stop Hunger Now organization. Sign up to help package meals during one of two available volunteer shifts: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

Register here: http://duke.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1LWNt6jxEspQEip

For more information please contact neil.hoefs@duke.edu

The Duke University Office of Global Strategy and programs, APSI, and the Department of Music are proud to present a lecture by Professor Jingon Cai and Ms. Sheila Melvin about the interaction of Eastern and Western music. Come see the collusion of these two musical worlds as a companion event to the Chinese National Symphony Orchestra’s performance in Page on Thursday!

Want to perform for 1200+ people? Want to OPEN FOR A HEADLINING PERFORMER? Now’s your chance!

Every year, we invite prominent members of the Asian American community, such as Joseph Vincent, Poreotics, Dumbfoundead and Quest Crew. This year, you will have the chance to open for one of our headlining performers!

Check out: http://www.ecaasu2013.org/ECAASU-talentcompetition.pdf for contest rules & how to make your submission. Video submission ends on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 8PM EST, but the earlier you upload, the more time you have to get more LIKES!

The winner will receive one free ticket (or refund for those already registered) and get to PERFORM at ECAASU 2013!

FB Event: http://www.facebook.com/events/466809680026780/

.

That’s all for now and have a great week!

Your Executive Board,

Asian Students Assocaition

Hi everyone,

As we wrap things up, we have a special holiday opportunity for you!

—————————–

Share the holiday cheer by sending candy grams to the ones you care about while raising money for Durham’s Bhutanese and Burmese refugee population. Duke ASA has partnered with Kenan Institute of Ethics to work with these local communities. Whether you need a last minute present or want to surprise someone, ASA’s got you covered. Come down to the Link or BC Plaza on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday to order your display of care. Then, on Monday, Dec. 10, ASA exec will hand deliver the candy grams while Temptasians, an acapella group traditionally only performing at LNY, follows our delivery route. Personal serenades are available on request.

Candy grams require a donation of only $2 and include a personal message on colorful card stock, a chocolate truffle, and delivery! We accept flex or cash.

Please find us tabling at the following times and places:

-Sunday, 12/2

5PM-8PM in the link

-Monday, 12/3

6:30-8:00 in the Link

-Tuesday, 12/4

12AM- 3PM BC

6:30-8:00 in the Link

Get ready for the 2013 East Coast Asian American Student Union (ECAASU) Conference at Columbia University in New York City. The conference this year will be held February 22-24! ECAASU is the oldest and largest intercollegiate Asian Pacific American advocacy organization. For the past 35 years, ECAASU has connected young activists from various races, ethnicities, and backgrounds, with the mission to advance the social equality of Asian Pacific Americans. The conference is an opportunity to educate, empower, and inspire change.

This year’s theme is “Within, Across and Beyond.” We would like to encourage reflection within on what it means to be Asian American, fuel dialogue across individuals of different cultural identities, and take what we’ve learned beyond the conference.

The conference features dynamic workshops, performances, and inspirational speakers. Details to be announced very soon (but we assure you, you don’t want to miss out!). A few meals will be provided.

Sign up now for an Early Bird rate of $65!

Questions? Email us at pr-marketing@ecaasu2013.org.

Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ecaasu2013

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ECAASU2013

Hey guys,

Hope you’re all excited for Thanksgiving break! Here’s what we’ve got lined up for you this week.

Open to all undergraduates, the Young Trustee serves a 3-year term on the Board of Trustees and is an excellent way to contribute to the Duke community. The Young Trustee is an elected position, but to run you must be selected as a finalist.  Finalist applications can be found here, and they should be sent by email to dukeyt2013@gmail.com no later than 8 PM on Monday January 7th 2013. For more information about the position and the application process, please contact the YTNC Chair Dan Pellegrino at daniel.pellegrino@duke.edu.

The DAAT is an Asian American Theater Group on campus. I believe this group will be a great way to strengthen the Asian American student voice on campus. We will be looking to produce works written by Asian American students and professional Asian American playwrights. The works we produce will give a greater opportunity for Asian American students to be cast in roles for which they are not conventionally chosen. If you are at all interested in being a part of this exciting new opportunity on campus please email me atrachel.whitney@duke.edu with your name and net ID. I just wanted to let you know that we’ll be holding a general interest meeting for Duke Asian American Theater (DAAT) tomorrow, Monday November 19 at 5:30 pm in the Page 106 classroom. It’s the classroom across from the entrance near the Chapel. It would be great for you guys to come and share your opinions and ideas about this organization.

Just two more days!

Best,

Hi everyone,

Hope you didn’t miss us too much last week, but we were working hard to bring you a ton of events this week! Get excited for our fall political series VOICES.

Dr. Chun’s talk will focus on issues of Asian American identity in light of the model minority myth.  She will highlight cultural stereotypes of Asian Americans in leadership roles and barriers to success based upon her research in the higher education workplace. She will also highlight the value of diversity in the higher education experience, based upon the pending Affirmative Action court case.  She will engage the audience in dialogue around these questions and their experiences. Catering provided by Spartacus.

As Asian Americans we are often taught not to put ourselves forward. Leadership in a western context involves standing out or stepping up. What are the challenges for Asian Americans trying to lead in these contexts? What does it look like? How can we lead out of our cultural strengths? Why are organizations like Asian Student Association important for Asian American leadership development? Catering provided by Moe’s.

Come out on Thursday night to hear a collection of short presentations given by your Duke peers on how their race and Asian identity has come to impact their lives. By hearing others’ stories and discussing how they relate to each of our own, we aim to paint a collective picture of the Asian and Asian American experience. Join us for this vicarious journey throughout all ends of the emotional spectrum! Catering provided by Saladelia.

Surprise, we’re not all kung-fu masters! Despite what your TV may try to tell you, Asians are perfectly capable of playing multi-dimensional characters, so why aren’t we seeing any? Come join us on Monday 11/19 as we delve into the past and present of Asians on our screens and what this means in regards to societal norms and beliefs. Catering provided Enzo’s Pizza Company.

Interested in singing Asian pop music? The Temptasians, Duke’s co-ed Asian a cappella group, are holding auditions for new members this Wednesday and Thursday. The group will be performing at this year’s LNY show, and has covered songs by artists such as IU, Wang Lee Hom, and Jay Chou. To try out, sign up for auditions at bit.ly/temptasians by Tuesday night. If you have any questions about the group, just email eric.wu@duke.edu!

“Age of Yellow is now accepting submissions! As an Asian American, if you have ever been mistaken or intentionally treated as a member of an ethnic or racial group that is not your own, we’d like to hear your story. The stories will be compiled at the end of the year for publication and presentation. Please visit the website ageofyellow.tumblr.com and follow the submission guidelines.”

Want to have your voice heard? Participate in the Duke Student Government’s Multicultural Outreach and Affairs Focus Groups! Stemming from DSG’s renewed outreach to the multicultural community at Duke, DSG is spearheading the creation of focus groups, a new initiative seeking qualitative information about how different communities at Duke experience campus culture. These focus groups strive to assess the experiences of Duke students and provide information about ways to improve the accessibility and inclusion of the University to all students. The Director of Multicultural Outreach and Affairs and Student Life senators will facilitate focus groups of roughly 10 people, asking questions about different facets of undergraduate life and campus culture. We invite you to participate in the MOA Focus Groups. Please e-mail Ayan Salah at<ayan.salah@duke.edu> if you’re interested.

Have a great week!

Best,