These past two weeks, I have been on two retreats: one for NUGOAL and the other for AASIA. For both retreats, I was fortunate to meet people beyond just great. The activities and exercises allowed me a chance to connect and hear fellow cohorts’ stories: many of which I find to be inspiring. With each of the activities having a meaning to it, there was never a moment where you ask why am I here. So for those that have yet been on a retreat hosted by the AAC, I highly recommend you apply to student programs (AASIA, NUGOAL, and PAAC) so that you can get the chance to experience this.
I was on a retreat last year for AASIA as a mentee, but rather than being off-campus, it was at Dodge Hall. While I had an amazing time last year, having a retreat off-campus has a totally different feel: for worst or for better depending on the person. Me, I really enjoyed having an off-campus retreat.
On top of meeting your fellow cohorts, you also attain a greater understanding of your identity and Asian American history. While many of us grew up being the minority, this is not a bad thing. One learns that being a minority means we can contribute to society our way. Innovation and success are a result of someone following their own path and not anyone else’s.
To end all this, these two retreats have been a real learning experience for me. While this is a cliche thing to say, it wouldn’t have been a cliche if it wasn’t true. And, this was all made possible because of the great staffs at the AAC.
