Yuyi (Yuki) Huang
Yuki (as she prefers to go by) is part of our very first Global Leader cohort and has been part of the team since day one! You may have seen her assisting at our ISSS front desk or co-leading our weekly Thursday Tea Time.
Globalization and advances in technology have increased interconnectivity across the world. You may find yourself working on a diverse global team, interacting with people virtually across time zones and cultures. These colleagues may have beliefs, values, and a communication style that is different from your own. So, what does it take to adapt to and succeed in a global, multicultural workplace? Sarika Pruthi, Ph.D., will explore this very question in her upcoming talk, The Role of Culture in Global Workplaces: The Case of Start-Up Firms on Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 7:00-8:00 PM (PT). Continue Reading…
The Global Spartan Photo Contest is an annual event that coincides with our Global Spartan Month festivities. Each year, we ask San Jose State University students to share their unique cultural perspective through photos and short narrative. Photos could be taken anywhere in the world (including the U.S.) and must be accompanied by a brief description that responds to the questions: What aspect of culture does this photo represent? Why is this photo important to me?
The Global Spartan Month Planning Committee selects the winner of the Most Impactful Narrative prize and also determines our set of finalists. Finalists then have their photographs and narratives posted on our Instagram and Facebook pages, where our first, second, and third place Fan Favorite winners are determined by the public.
Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo entry and to all those who voted. Congratulations to all our finalists and a special congratulations to our winners!
Thi (Blue) Nguyen, MA Journalism & Mass Communication
Gregory Johnson–A decade doesn’t ease the pain. (San Jose, CA)
“Gregory Johnson’s death is a controversial topic, especially in SJSU community. I took this photo at a protest on October 10, 2020, where Gregory’s mother shared why she believed her son was killed as a result of racism, objecting to the police’s conclusion that he suicided. After 12 years, the pain is still in her eyes. This is how I learn about the real agony of racism, and also, about sympathy.”
Aadesh Sharma, MS Industrial Engineering
Famous Dagduseth Ganesh Temple Pune (Pune, India)
“This photo was clicked during the Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the widely celebrated hindu festival in India. This is culturally important for me because it teaches us how we should come together and help each other in need. During the tough Covid times we all are connected to each other through praying Lord Ganesha helping to fight this pandemic. With the blessings of God our life will be normal again.”
Rachael Allen, BS Biochemistry
Queen’s Life Guard Ceremony (London, England)
“For many centuries horses have been an essential part of England’s majesty in warfare and royal and state occasions. This photo represents how a country can keep the rich history of its past while celebrating its heritage and reminding all of its accomplishments, but also recognizing its injustices. This photo is important to me because I believe that the history of the past should not be lost.”
Juwon (Kelly) Lee, BA Graphic Design
Welcome to Korea (South Korea)
“Lotte World Tower is the tallest building in South Korea and the fifth tallest in the world with 123 floors. People can find the aspects of Korean food and fashion, as well as the beautiful nightlife of Korea inside of the tower. This tower has gained a reputation as one of Korea’s most frequently visited tourist places and it also became a symbol of the country’s economic advancement.”
WHISK Ambassador and Senior Nutrition Student Shannon Vo shares the history of St. Patrick’s Day (celebrated on March 17th) in Ireland and the U.S, along with recipes for classic Irish recipes.
Continue Reading…
Utsav Jain, MS Software Engineering, 2019
Utsav Jain was selected to be the student speaker for our inaugural “Celebrate! Honoring International Graduates” event for the class of 2019. He currently works as a Software Engineer in Silicon Valley and remains an active international alumni, who continues to give back to our Global Spartan community.
What are you doing now?
Software Engineer at Corning Inc.
What is your most favorite memory of SJSU?
It is quite hard to pick one memory. Having group project meetings in the student union, playing games and chatting with other international students at the ISSS Coffee Hour. One of the most favorite things I did was the “Practically Speaking” program conducted by Amy Russo from the Writing Center.
I will also remember my graduation ceremony quite fondly. Due to current events, it might sound like a brag, but there was certainly something magical about the event.
I would like to mention my favorite professor, Prof. Michael Larkin. The way he conducted his lectures was truly remarkable.
How has your SJSU experience impacted your life either personally or professionally?
My advanced degree from SJSU enabled me to further my career as a Software Engineer. A major advantage of my program, MS in Software Engineering, is that most of the courses are taught by professionals working in the industry, that too in Silicon Valley.
Personally, I started a new phase of my life after graduating from SJSU, although I carried a lot of lessons, memories, and friends from my “University times”.
What do you wish you would have known sooner about life in the U.S. or about being an international student at SJSU?
Firstly, you will get home sick. However, the Bay Area is very diverse. There’s a good chance that you’ll find shops and restaurants catering to your background. Nothing can replace the comfort of your hometown, but going to a place which serves food like home certainly helps.
Secondly, if you plan to stay in the US for long, depending on your nationality, you may need an immigration plan that might be a decade or longer. You would need to be selective with your employers and limited to the kind of jobs you can work.
Lastly, SJSU has so many resources, it’s hard to even know all. I wish I had attended some more random events and participated in some more random activities. For example, the aforementioned “Practically Speaking” program was a totally random thing offered by the writing center. I was a software engineering student, so it didn’t really have a connection with my field of study. But it turned out to be one of the most fun things I did and improved my overall personality.
What advice would you give to current international students?
Firstly, always stay on top of your paperwork, especially immigration related. It appears quite intimidating at first, but most of the time, it is pretty straightforward. Also, whenever the U.S. immigration authorities want something from you, it’s best to give them as soon as you can even though they might take an arbitrarily long time to get back to you.
Secondly, connecting with your peers in class is just as important as making industry connections. It may feel a bit difficult to talk to people of other nationalities in your class, but it can be very rewarding.
Lastly, change your computer language to default to English (U.S.) :-).