What are you studying? and Why?
I am a sophomore studying journalism. I always loved writing and wanted to do something related to it. When I heard about Medill with its prestigious name as one of the worlds top journalism schools, I decided to try it. I never did anything like journalism before and am still not sure if journalism is the right path, but so far it has been a good experience and it pushes me out of my comfort zone.

Tell us a bit about your time growing up and how living in the States has influenced you?
I was born to a Hong Kong oriented family in Hong Kong. When I was five, we moved to shanghai and there I went to an American School, so my English is a lot better than my Chinese. The first time I spent more than a couple of weeks in the US was in Freshman year. It was interesting because as an international student, I watched hollywood movies and listened to hollywood music, but even though I was influenced by hollywood pop culture it was not till I lived in the US that I realized the differences between US and Asia. But now, I am used to it and really like it here at Evanston and am glad I chose to come to school here.

In the future, do you see yourself living in the US, or returning back home?
Its possible that I could live in the US for a few years, but in the future I would want to travel to other places, possibly Europe, Australia or maybe even go back to Asia. However, in the long-term, I’m pretty sure I’m eventually going to live in Asia because it feels the most like home.

Where do you think you would start your family? and Why?
Ideally, somewhere in Asia because I really enjoyed my childhood growing up in the international school system and I would like my kids to have the same kind of experience.

What was the hardest thing about leaving home?
I am not the type of person who likes change and because I have been in the same place for so long, leaving a place that was familiar was hard. I also had limited experiences to American living, so I did not really know what to expect. It was at first hard and frightening to go from a place I knew really really well to a place i wasn’t very familiar with.

 
One thing you wish you had?
I would definitely want better Asian food!

What is one thing you miss about Evanston when you go back home?
I’m on the Crew team and I really miss it when I go back home. I miss being out in the water early in the morning and watching the sun come out.

 
Have any of your interests or hobbies changed since you got to the US?
I do like watching the occasional game of football now and really enjoy the Superbowl. At home I never really celebrated Thanksgiving, but now I appreciate family time more.

ISA Formal 2013

Join ISA in celebrating all our cultural goodness in a classy setting! Get ready for the ISA FORMAL 2013!!! The ISA Formal offers the Northwestern community a night of fun and international love! We’re back with out traditional theme “International Black Tie Affair”, so come decked out in extreme levels of swank and swag. No attire is too formal

Also, a SPECIAL GIFT will be given to those who show off their International Pride by wearing a traditional costume from their country.

DETAILS
What: Internatioanl Black Tie Affair – ISA Formal 2013
When: Friday, Feb 15 9pm-1am
Where: Hilton Garden Inn Banquet Room
How much: $23 at Norris Box Office
Who: EVERYONE IS INVITED!!! You do NOT need to be international to come to this event.
Food?: Dinner will not be provided, but there will be plenty of gourmet snacks and refreshments

Buy your tickets at nbo.northwestern.edu

COME AND GET DOWN WITH THE ISA CREW!!

What are you studying?
I am a sophomore studying industrial engineering and economics. Initially, I was unsure about my major and thus enrolled into Weinberg. After taking a couple of science classes, I decided my passions lied in Industrial Engineering. That’s the good part about Northwestern; it is so easy to change schools.

Tell us a bit about your time growing and how living in the States has influenced you?

In my opinion, growing up in Chennai was amazing. Chennai is one of the biggest cities in India. Though it is a metropolitan, it still has its own distinct culture, which is very unlike the rest of India. Growing up in Chennai was a lot of fun, but I also wanted to explore the world. That’s why I completed my high school at Worth in UK. This experience not only made me the well-rounded individual I am today but it also prepared me for college.

Have you picked up on American culture? Do you watch the NFL?
Yes, to a certain extent. But it wasn’t as much of a cultural shock as people would imagine. Over the past couple of years, India has globalized a lot, so it wasn’t hard to adapt to the culture over here. I loved watching American TV Shows even before coming here but I love the fact that I can watch all the shows on the same day. Friends and Suits are my current favorites. NFL is definitely a very interesting game but I still haven’t been able to comprehend all the tactics behind it. I usually only watch the Wildcats or the Superbowl. Growing up in India, I am a cricketing buff. I even wake up early in the mornings to stream Indian Premier League (IPL) and India Cricket games.

What was the hardest thing about leaving home?
Leaving home is always hard because it is such a comfortable environment. Though, doing my final two years of high school in UK made the transition much easier for me. I yet miss a lot of things about home like the friends, the food and most importantly my family. But with the state that technology is in today, it is very easy to keep in touch with everyone back home.

What is one thing you miss about Evanston when you go back home?
I miss all the friends I have made at Northwestern. College isn’t all about academics, it’s also about the bonds you make and the memories you share. Though my friends do come and visit me over vacations, it’s not the same as living with them on a daily basis. I also love the independence that college has given me because it has really helped me mature as an individual.

What are your future plans? Do you want to stay in America or go back home?
My dream job would be to work in Apple. But realistically, I would want to work in a consulting job in America for a couple of years before I pursue my MBA. After that I plan to move back to India where I will decide whether I want to start my own company or join the family business but I am too young to look that much into the future yet.

Person interviewed: Adrienne Jenq

TASC organized a ski trip last Jan 12-13, 2013 and ISA decided to interview a member of the student group to learn a little bit more about this great event.

1) How did you decide to organize such an event? 

The Ski Trip is an annual even we have so I couldn’t imagine not holding it. I am TASC’s current Outreach Chair so it was my responsibility to organize the event and put it together. I don’t know the original reasons for creating the event but it was likely intended to help us get to know ROCSA, the Taiwanese community in the graduate program.

2) What was TASC’s purpose for organizing this event?

The main goal of the event was for everyone to have a nice time and hopefully forge some new friendships in the process. I’ve found nothing bonds people quite like falling flat on your butt multiple times over. But honestly, it’s a great way for people in TASC and outside of TASC to get to know new people and experience something fun that they might not have been able to try before.

3) What kinds of activities did people do during the trip?

Well, since it is a Ski Trip, the main activity during the day was skiing and snow boarding. A lot of participants were first-timers so they got to learn how to ski and snowboard and just spend a day on the slopes. Afterwords we had dinner and people could go do their own thing. A lot of people brought games to play and just chilled out. There were scary stories told  and shenanigans in the pool as well. I think it was just a really relaxed atmosphere where people could just enjoy themselves however they wanted to. Next year I think organizing some bonding activities with all the group participants would be really good since quite a few people didn’t know each other and the trip is a great way to get introduced to some new people.

4) Was it open to all students or only TASC members? 

The Ski Trip is open to everyone! A lot of people outside of TASC came which was so great to see. TASC itself is a very inclusive community and I hope that came across on the trip.

5) How many people showed up?

About 82 people participated on the Ski Trip which is really amazing. Every year more and more people come and I hope that next year has even more people join us!

6) What is your favorite memory from the trip/funny story/etc?

Haha it’s hard to choose a favorite memory. I think the whole trip was really wonderful. I personally enjoyed getting to know some new NU students as well as the people from ROCSA. Really it’s the people that makes the trip so great. I’m also a sucker for scary stories so telling scary stories late at night was another highlight for me. Oh and roadtripping it in the Wisconsin “wilderness” and trying to navigate was pretty fun as well.

7) What were some feedback from others on the trip?

All the feedback I’ve gotten so far has been really positive! I think everyone had a really nice time which is so great to hear because that was my main goal in organizing this trip. I think the only thing I would change really is springing for helmet rentals. The snow conditions weren’t the best and skiing/snowboarding itself is pretty dangerous so I’d at least like to provide that basic safety option next year for participants. It was an oversight I regret from this year but I think next year the trip will only be better.

8 ) Tell me about your overall experience on this trip.

I had a really great time! It was busy, to be sure and organizing it is definitely a different experience. I went on the trip just as a participant last year so sort of being on the other side and handling all the logistics was definitely a learning process. I think overall the trip helped me grow and is just another wonderful NU memory to add to my collection. I’m also not nearly as sore as last year which is a bonus.

9) Anything else you want to add?

Thanks to everyone who came on the trip! You guys are all awesome and I hope you had a wonderful time. To those who didn’t come, COME NEXT YEAR! IT’S SO MUCH FUN AND I GUARANTEE YOU WON’T REGRET IT!

–

Visit TASC’s website by clicking here

The Coxinha is a popular dish in many countries in South America. It includes chicken and spices, generally including tomato sauce, onion, parsley, and scallions (with occasional catupiry cheese), enclosed in wheat flour – variants including potato or manioc are also commonly sold – batter, and deep fried. It is shaped to roughly resemble a chicken leg. Coxinha is some shredded chicken meat inside a dough, which is deep fried. Coxinha was originally made with a chicken thigh, thus the origin of its traditional shape. The batter used to make the dough is often prepared with the broth of the chicken, enhancing the flavor of the dough.

Where to get Coxinha?

Taste of Brasil Cafe

Address: 906 South Oak Park Avenue

Oak Park

Phone: (708) 383-3550

Sources:

http://adrianopetrich.com/post/brazilian-snacks-coxinha

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxinha

Baklava is a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. It is characteristic of the cuisines of the former Ottoman Empire and those of Central and Southwest Asia. It is widely believed that the Assyrians at around 8th century B.C. were the first people who put together a few layers of thin bread dough, with chopped nuts in between those layers, added some honey and baked it in their primitive wood burning ovens. This earliest known version of baklava was baked only on special occasions. In fact, historically baklava was considered a food for the rich until mid-19th century. In Turkey, to this day one can hear a common expression often used by the poor, or even by the middle class, saying: “I am not rich enough to eat baklava and boerek every day”.

Turkish Cuisine

Address:

5605 N. Clark Street

Chicago, IL 60660

Phone:
773 878-8930

1 ) Tell us a little bit about your story growing up and how living abroad has influenced you.

I was born in Dubai, lived there for a while, a couple of years in NY and Istanbul, and then back to Dubai. I’ve lived in different places with different cultures, which influenced me to have different point of views on the world and the different cultures. Dubai, although it might not have as much history and culture as a European city, is the most multicultural place I’ve ever visited. It’s such a big mix of different nationalities, there is a little something for everyone no matter where they may come from.

2 ) What was your first impression of NU?

I was really amazed by all the things organized by the university, especially March through the Arch. At first when I was walking through I could feel people just staring at me and it felt weird, but as people started cheering and I started getting random high fives from strangers, I was overwhelmed by the feeling of community, of the school spirit. I remember my mother talking about my sister’s March Through the Arch and how emotional it was for her, and I have to say I couldn’t understand it until I actually lived it.

3 ) In the future, do you see yourself living in the US, or returning back home?

I don’t know about returning back home, it really depends on job opportunities. I am hoping to be able to take advantage of my US college degree and experience life here as a working man, but I can’t really predict. I am not even 100% sure of my major, let alone what I am going to do after I graduate ! But I have to say, having lived here makes me want to see more of this country.

4 ) What is something you are particularly looking forward to in winter quarter?

I have to say I am really looking forward to not having EDC. My sister warned me about this class, and although I think it is really cool, it is too much work and I am finding it hard to keep up with my other classes ! Also, weirdly, I can’t wait for the cold. I’ve lived my whole life in a desert and I am not a big fan of the heat. I might regret saying this in January when the cold really kicks in, but I feel I’m going to enjoy it !

5 ) Are you interested in football, and what do you think about SuperBowl?

I’ve been interested in football since March or April of this year, and coming to Northwestern has greatly amplified this interest. Being a big “soccer” player, I never thought games could be so entertaining, but if you add the school spirit, the atmosphere, and all the students around you, it gets pretty addictive ! I’ve been to many of the games this year already, and I’m hooked !

6 ) What do you miss about home the most?

I miss having a full fridge and good food/snacks available 24/7. I REALLY miss playing football (or “soccer”) with friends, I don’t really have the time to do that here unfortunately. The workload is a lot bigger than I imagine, I always thought I would be able to manage. I guess it really helps having my sister here, she lives off campus so I have someplace to really call “home” other than my dorm, a full fridge, a TV and the possibility to eat good homemade meals, even my mom’s signature recipes !

7 ) What is your favorite restaurant in Evanston?

My favorite restaurant so far is Todoroki, but I really look forward to having lunch at Olive mountain and getting a little feel of my home country. I hear it’s really really good ! There’s not much to do in Evanston but eat, so I’ve been to a lot of places like Tapas, Chipotle, etc. There are so many options ! But for now sushi is number one for sure.

8 ) One thing you wish was different here?

I wish there were more people like me, more people with a Middle Eastern background. It gets lonely sometimes seeing these cultural groups form because they all come from the same area, and I get very homesick because I have met less than a few that come from my part of the world !

Interested in discussing current events while munching on free food?

So come, bring your friends, and enjoy some DELICIOUSLY FREE CHICKEN SHACK while expressing your thoughts on important current affairs!