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6 Signs You're An East Asian Studies Major

You can major in that? Yes, popular to common belief it's a thing!

Hallie Carmen

Sep 19, 2016

Millennials of Connecticut

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6 Signs You're An East Asian Studies Major

Ksiom

"What's you major,?" someone asks. "I'm an East Asian Studies major." The person continues to stare blankly at me, then quickly says "Sorry but can you repeat that again?" Even though its been around since the '60s, I'm often convinced people are not aware that "East Asian Studies" is a major in both undergraduate and graduate institutions. It seems that worldwide compared to majors such as Economics and International Relations us East Asian Studies majors number in few. So in honor of our unique close-knit discipline, here are 6 signs that you're an East Asian Studies Major.

*NOTE: The images below are not intended to represent any generalizations and or diffusions of East Asian cultures. In terms of which areas constitute East Asia, it seems to depend on who you ask and or where you study. In my specific case East Asia refers to China, Japan, and Korea.

1. You have read Edward Said’s Orientalism at least once.

It basically serves as the foundation for every intro to East Asian Studies class.

"Orientalism is a style of thought based upon ontological and epistemological distinction made between 'the Orient' and (most of the time) 'the Occident’." (Edward Said’s Orientalism). If you don't know what this is you need to Google it!

2. Unlike many people who study abroad just to party, you had one of the best study abroad experiences, delving into some of the world's oldest cultures and traditions.

Shout out to those who did 24/7 language pledges!

3. You've taken Chinese, Japanese, and or Korean Language classes for most of your college career.

"What do you have for homework"? "A dictation quiz tomorrow"

4. People constantly question what you want to do in life.

Are you going to be a diplomat? Translator? Professor? Do you want to live and work in Asia?

5. You learn that Asia is a like bad love triangle. They love and hate each other.

Grudges against conflicting histories are often brought to the forefront in the present.

6. People ask you if you watch anime.

You may or may not but that doesn't mean we all do. It is likely that if you are learning Japanese you have watched it at least once.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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6 Signs You're An East Asian Studies Major

You can major in that? Yes, popular to common belief it's a thing!

1. You have read Edward Said’s Orientalism at least once.

2. Unlike many people who study abroad just to party, you had one of the best study abroad experiences, delving into some of the world's oldest cultures and traditions.

3. You've taken Chinese, Japanese, and or Korean Language classes for most of your college career.

4. People constantly question what you want to do in life.

5. You learn that Asia is a like bad love triangle. They love and hate each other.

6. People ask you if you watch anime.

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No one best represents the struggle like our favorite 90s squad.

1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

2. When there is only one section of a popular course.

3. Receiving the 18,000 emails reminding you to register ASAP.

4. When you need to see an advisor, but they are too busy/unresponsive.

5. Trying not to dress like a bum for your appointments with your advisors/department heads.

6. When you have a perfectly planned out schedule, and one class ruins it.

7. Carefully moving things around to accommodate a different class/section.

8. Waking up at 6:00 a.m. for your enrollment time.

9. Concocting a new schedule at your enrollment time after your original plan gets changed.

10. Getting into a class and filling the last available seat.

11. When all of your classes finally go through.

12. Realizing that you forgot a class that was a pre-requisite for everything else.

When your capability of "adulting" is put to the test

Nobody deserves to be living in poverty.

"Nobody living in one of the most influential nations in the world should be worried about making ends meet."

What is the current minimum wage at the federal level?

What are the benefits of raising the minimum wage?

What are the states that have set a $15/hour minimum wage?

Told through Parks & Recreation GIFs

Because who understands your bitterness better than April?

1. When you have to provide an "interesting fact" for your first day ice-breaker.

2. When your professor is babbling on and on in his lecture.

3. When you edit your friend's paper and they get an A.

4. When it's 2 AM and you remember you have a test tomorrow.

5. When you finish taking the test and you're pretty sure you failed...

6. ...but then you get the test back and somehow passed.

7. When you've been up for 12 hours straight writing a paper.

8. And then you manage to stay awake in class the next day.

9. When you have to butter up your professor for an extra credit opportunity.

10. When you're assigned a group project.

11. And your group-mates are trying to chat about life instead of the assignment.

12. When it's your last class of the day and you're about to go home.

13. But then you remember rent is due tonight and the anger comes back.

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