Web Magazine Online

Previous | Web Magazine | Next

  By Grace Borrero

My Interview with Shawn Kuk

Shawn Kuk is a 25-year-old Korean American from Van Nuys. He is a
third-year transfer student who attended Fullerton College before coming to UCLA. Shawn is currently an Asian American Studies major, but is thinking of doubling with History. Because Shawn is new to UCLA, he is not deeply involved in an organization. However, he would like to work with the Korean Student Association and "Pacific Ties." Shawn grew up in the San Fernando Valley and lived near Koreatown for a year. His plans for after graduation are up in the air because he is still trying to figure out his options. Some of these include law school, teaching, and social work.

Shawn believes that race relations at UCLA are better on the surface than the U.S. as a whole. He believes students at UCLA are more tolerant. This added tolerance comes from the common link that we are all UCLA students.

According to Shawn, we are looked at differently at school and elsewhere. For example, on campus Shawn is seen as a student, whereas at a mall he is just seen as some random Asian guy. At UCLA, we try to get along and not cause problems.

To better race relations at UCLA, Shawn believes that there should be more cross-listed classes, such as this one. He believes that multiculturalism is important and that the full humanity perspective should be taught.

Shawn is planning on taking different classes in ethnic studies (e.g., African American Studies, Chicano/a Studies). By taking these classes, he hopes to better himself. To better the community, however, he plans to focus on "Pacific Ties." He would like to get involved in community-based organizations, as well.

(Grace Borrero is a Junior majoring in English.)