Class of 2009
Major in Finance, Minor in Economics
Interviewer: David Han
Class of 2014 Major in Psychology
What did you enjoy about AsACC?
I guess I enjoyed the ability to explore a lot of aspects of yourself. You can explore your identity as an Asian American, and your identity as a part of a minority group. Coming from high school and then being able to have space to ask questions and talk to people with similar experience. It allows you to grow and be more comfortable with yourself, I think that’s what I enjoyed the most. Angela and Sheila were also critical to my development. I still attribute a lot of my growth and where I am now to the things I learned from them.
What did you miss about it?
I miss the freedom. During that period of time you think you’re busy…but you’re not really busy. You kind of need to go to the working world to understand. The freedom to go to the center whenever you want and meet new people was great. The freedom to be goofy and silly was awesome. I also miss the ability to make good friend through strange and awesome memories.
How did your involvement in AsACC impact your life?
I think it has hugely changed my life. My first conversation with Sheila was about my interest in joining the a cappella group A-minor. I had no singing experience, but she encouraged me to do it. That led me down the path of being in A-minor, which was an awesome community. I cherish and still communicate with members of A-Minor. It also led me to join the Leadership Legacy program. This conversation sparked the whole metamorphosis. These experiences gave me the confidence to do what I really wanted to do, and not what everyone expected me to do.
What did you do post-graduation from UConn?
I went on a road trip across the country. We just kind of packed up and left. After that I moved to American Samoa. I moved to the South Pacific, where I was a teacher for a year. That really changed my life as well. I attribute it to Angela and Sheila for telling me to do what I want to do. This led me to my life path.
Where have you worked and where do you currently work?
I have pretty diverse work experience. I worked in American Samoa, afterwards when to grad school in Boston. I studied public policy with a focus in international education at Harvard, then I interned for Yo-Yo Ma. I also worked for the State Department for Asian Pacific Affairs. Now I work for policy consulting for governments in Asian Pacific regions. I also do some work with National Geographic – see my page at http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/author/daniellin/
Did you live on campus?
I went from Northwest, McMahon, South, and then to Charter Oak, all with the same roommate. He is still one of my closest friends!
How often do you visit? Have you been back to campus since graduation?
Yes I have. I have go back whenever I can. I live in Hawaii so it’s not the easiest to get back. I at least try to see people from A-minor and from the cultural center that I was close to. I try to make a point to see them. I also went back most recently for my brother, because he was awarded the Charter Oak scholarship. I watched him receive it at Gampel.
What were you involved in while in you undergrad?
At AsACC I was with KUBE and AMP, all the things you would be involved in. I was also part of the Leadership Legacy program that was a really great group. I had a lot of good friends in the men’s and women’s soccer team. A-minor was probably my biggest involvement, being president. A-minor was a really great experience for me, because I’m usually just into athletics.
What advice do you have for current students?
I think there will be a point where you come to this cross road. There will be path that doesn’t make much sense, but you really want to explore it. It might come in multiple points in your life. I’m not saying not to do what makes sense. My advice is to do what is best for you. Don’t be afraid of picking something that doesn’t seem like the right path, just because it isn’t conventional.
What would you do differently if you had the chance?
No, nothing. Not a thing. I am happily where I am now. And I think that I would not be here if it weren’t for all the decisions that I made.
