this is my odyssey

My self-proposed Odyssey project is entitled, “Seeing China Through My Grandparent’s Eyes”. The objective of my Odyssey was to further my understanding of what it means to be Chinese, my own ethnicity, through the words of my grandparents. During the summer of 2012, I traveled to China and interviewed my grandparents over topics that spanned their lives, thoughts, and ideals. I have translated these interviews and posted the audio files and the translated transcripts onto a blogging platform, available here: http://lookingasianisntenough.tumblr.com/.  Through this experience, not only have I been able to gain insight on my ethnicity and Chinese culture, but I have also been able to reconnect with my family and my roots. I have obtained a new desire to learn more about my culture and an eagerness to fully embrace my ethnicity. I want to become deserving of my Chinese background. Because looking Asian isn’t enough.

What is an Odyssey project?

Unique to Hendrix College, an Odyssey is an extracurricular component of graduation of which encourages Hendrix students to “embark on educational adventures that are personalized to their own interests and abilities.” Students are allowed to choose three ways to complete their three Odyssey requirements: specialized courses, participating in pre-approved activities, or proposing their own projects. To learn more about Hendrix Odysseys, go here: http://www.hendrix.edu/odyssey/.