Finishing Junior Spring 🌿

It still feels unreal to say I’m officially done with my junior year. One more year left? That doesn’t feel right.

This spring was packed with learning, with goodbyes, with more moments of growth than I can count. Looking back, I’m amazed at how much life and learning were squeezed into just a few months.

Diverse Young Learners 🖍️

One of the most hands-on classes I took this semester was Diverse Young Learners, an education course that focused on teaching strategies for younger students. Not only did we discuss teaching tools and child development theories in class, but we also had the opportunity to apply this knowledge through hands-on work. I went into a local public elementary school for field placement, and actually got to lead some activities. It was both heartwarming and challenging to interact with young learners. I learned a great deal about classroom pacing, scaffolding, and the importance of being adaptable when teaching a room full of 5- and 6-year-olds with diverse needs.

I now have a small mental toolkit of games, books, and visual strategies I’d actually use in the future. And, perhaps most importantly, I gained a deeper understanding of the kind of patience and presence it takes to create an affirming space for kids.

Multicultural Psych Seminar 🧠

This class felt more like a conversation than a course. There were only 10 of us in the Multicultural Psychology Seminar, and it turned out to be one of the most meaningful academic experiences I’ve had so far.

We built on the foundation established in the previous Multicultural Psychology class, but this time, it was all dialogue. No sitting in silence through slideshows. People in class brought in their own stories — as immigrants, international students, or second-generation kids — and the room came alive in a way no reading ever could. I found myself constantly reflecting, connecting different ideas, and having my own assumptions gently challenged.

The paper I wrote for this class might be my favorite piece of academic writing I’ve done to date. I explored filial piety and its manifestation in second-generation Asian immigrant youth in the U.S., which led to a deep dive into cultural values, stress, and identity negotiation. I’m proud of how it turned out, and even prouder that I got to write something that matters to me.

Our last class meeting photo (with some of my classmates)!

Japanese, Round Two (and a Half) 📚

This semester also wrapped up my second-year Japanese sequence. Still hard. Still a daily grind. But it’s working. I'm definitely more comfortable speaking, reading, and listening than I am with French at this point (which is funny because when I ran into my French professor at the end-of-year department mixer, I had to stop myself from bowing and answering in Japanese).

In addition to the core language class, I took Japanese Extensive Reading, where we just... read. It reminded me of learning Korean and English when I was younger. No pressure, just following along with stories at my level. It was surprisingly effective, and I could see the progress week by week.

Kid Lab & Study 2 🎥

My time at the Kid Lab continued this semester as well. We officially launched Study 2, which focuses on how parents and children discuss technology, including rules, reasoning, boundaries, and expectations. It’s fascinating to see how families navigate these conversations and how differently they go depending on age, parenting style, and relationship dynamics.

I’ll be working in the lab over the summer, helping to transcribe and code the video data we’ve collected. It feels like a great privilege to be part of a project that bridges the intersection of research and real-life parenting practices.

Commencement 🎓

One of the most memorable parts of the end of this semester wasn’t academic. It was going to Commencement.

Many of my close friends graduated this year, and I’m so glad I was able to be there in person to celebrate them. Because of construction on campus, the ceremony was held off-site at the Mann Center in Philly. The change in venue made it feel even more momentous. I got chills seeing them walk across the stage, name after name being called, flowers handed over, caps thrown.

It was beautiful and also a little weird, thinking that’s going to be me next year. I’ve been praying and thinking a lot about what I want my last year to look like. One thing that’s been quietly sitting in the back of my mind is the idea of being the student speaker. I know it’s a long shot, but it would be such an honor; not just to speak, but to leave something meaningful behind for our class. We’ll see. I’m keeping it in prayer.

Taking photos with my graduating friends after the ceremony was an emotional experience. We were smiling and laughing, but I kept feeling this tiny lump in my throat. I’ve gotten used to seeing them in class, at the library, during late-night runs to the dining hall. And just like that, they’re on to their next chapter. I’m so proud of them, but man, I’m going to miss them.

Looking Ahead 🌼

Finishing junior spring feels like reaching the final checkpoint before the last leg of the race. Except it’s not really a race. Not anymore. If anything, this semester reminded me that slow, intentional growth is more powerful than anything rushed. I’ve been blessed with so many opportunities this year! To teach, to lead, to research, to learn deeply, and I can feel how they’re shaping the kind of person I’m becoming.

Next year holds a lot: my thesis project, more leadership roles, hopefully more moments that make me pause and think, “Wow, this is what I’m meant to be doing.” I’ll be stepping into senior year with a little more confidence, a lot more gratitude, and still, the same deep hope that I can keep doing meaningful work surrounded by people who inspire me.

Until then, summer awaits — and I’m excited to see what it brings.

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Currently listening to: Dazbee's “Wasureji No Kotonoha” on repeat

Currently drinking: cold lemonade!

Currently feeling: grateful, reflective, and a little sentimental