Introduction to Amy, a girl who despises the question "Where are you from?"
So, you might be wondering "What's wrong with that question?" Heres my issue:
Is this question asking where I grew up: Indonesia, where I was born: Oklahoma, or my ethnicity: Cantonese-Vietnamese-and all sorts of Southeast Asian ethnicities? I never know which to answer.
My name is Amy Tan. I am currently a senior studying chemical biosciences in my last semester at the University of Oklahoma. I was born in Norman, Oklahoma but I was raised most of my life in Indonesia. My family decided to move to Indonesia when I was about four years old. All I knew was Indonesia, the culture, food, language, and basically everything. I moved back to the states to pursue medicine as I do sincerely believe it is my purpose in life.
I am currently in the process of applying to medical schools which have been very hard on my mental health. I've been nothing but anxious, but also excited for what's to come. I am currently working in the emergency department at Mercy OKC which has been very thrilling. I started about more than a year ago, and then BAM, the pandemic hit. COVID19 has been nothing but awful to me, and all of us I'm assuming. I really do believe there's a light at the end of all of this and we could one day recover.
My overall career goal is to become a physician. "What specialty?" you may ask. Well, I am open! I would like to specialize in any field that is lacking in the community, to do my part in helping the community and filling the gaps that would improve the overall healthcare system.
Okay, on a less serious note. I have a pet named Bailey. She is such a sweetheart and a big cuddle bug. Although, she is a butt at most times. I enjoy cooking and watching movies/ TV shows. I love to eat everything and have no preference whatsoever. If I had an extra day of fun, I would sleep to be honest (as you can tell, I am quite burnt out). I am surviving at this time and am excited to get started this semester. :)
It is so fabulous that you can bring this insight from Indonesia to the class this semester, Amy! There are often students from India and Pakistan in this class, and sometimes Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, but you are the first person who knows Indonesia to be in the class. For me, that is just so exciting! Where I went to school (Berkeley), I met students from Indonesia, and you could even study Indonesian language there (which is pretty rare; I don't think there are very many U.S. universities that offer Indonesian language classes), and in the classes I took about the Indian epics we learned about the Ramayana and the Mahabharata in their beautiful Indonesian versions. I am so curious to hear what you connect with and remember from your life there. I love how the airline of Indonesia is named for Garuda! Garuda in Indonesia ... maybe you could even do a project all about Garuda; he is so important in so many legends, but no one has ever done a Garuda project for this class before. Anyway, I hope the flexibility of this class will help you as you make your way through another pandemic semester... and of course you will get lots of loving from the beautiful Bailey; those pictures of her are so adorable. What a cutie!
ReplyDeleteWow, I never knew Garuda meant something more... I will definitely look into that!!
DeleteHi Amy! That is so cool that you grew up in Indonesia! I've lived in Oklahoma my whole life so I don't have an experience like that, but I think it's really cool that you do. I am absolutely in love with Bailey, she looks so adorable in her pink sweater and I am sure she is the best girl. Ever since I was little I've wanted a Beagle, and hopefully now that I'll be graduating this semester I'll be able to adopt one in the near future. Good luck applying to medical school! I am not pre-med but I have some friends who are, and seeing how stressful it was for them I definitely do not envy you. But, I hope you manage to enjoy your last semester and that you get into your top med school!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! Indonesia and Oklahoma are such different places; I have never been to Indonesia, but I imagine it is a lot more beautiful than Oklahoma! I have also been going through the med school application cycle this year, so I can understand the extra stress it adds to our lives. Best wishes with that process; hopefully it will work out the way you want in the end! Your goal to practice medicine in an area that will most benefit community health is admirable.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! wow it's so cool that you grew up in Indonesia, while also being ethnically Cantonese, Vietnamese more as well as living here! It might be annoying explaining "where are you from?" but I think it's so cool letting people know your many different cultures! Growing up as a Vietnamese American I got to experience two different cultures, and I can easily say that I love it and am grateful to get to have the best of both worlds. I wish you the best in your endeavors, stress can weigh heavy on us but keep it up you got it! :)
ReplyDeleteHello Amy!
ReplyDeleteI get how that question could be difficult to answer. I am Asian Indian, but I was born in the states. I moved from New Jersey to Oklahoma when I was four, but I still get people asking me “Where are you born or from?” I would always say here but people do not believe me. Anyway, I am in my senior year as well. I am studying psychology, but after I graduate, I want to pursue nursing. I have a dog that we got right before COVID-19 happened, and his name is Milo. My parents have never allowed us to have any pets, but that changed when my sister got him without telling anyone and dropped him off at my parent’s house.
Hello Amy!
ReplyDeleteThis is Zille. I think I have you on instagram. It was really nice to get to know this side of you. As a premed, I totally get the burnout phase. Between getting good grades, community service, taking the MCAT, primary applications, secondary applications, and good letter of recommendation it can become a lot. This doesn't even include the extracurriculars we have to do at OU. So yes, take car of your mental health and I totally get sleeping in on a day off. I would do that too honestly and I am going through the exact same process. I wish you the best of luck!
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to hear that you were born in Oklahoma, but then suddenly moved and grew up on the opposite side of the world in Indonesia. I'm currently in my junior year and have also been overwhelmed with the responsibilities that come with applying to medical schools this cycle. The burnout is starting to kick in but I'm sure you'll push through and do great. Good luck with everything this year!
Hi Amy! I too am currently a senior and agree with you that things currently are far from normal and have been causing quite a lot of anxiety. It is great that you have been able to be working right in the middle of this thing and helping those in need. Good luck in all of you medical school endeavours!
ReplyDeleteAhhh Amy, I also have despised the question "where are you from," ever since I came to college because I have no idea what people are asking! I was born in Delaware, moved to Georgia as a kid and then in middle school I moved to Shanghai, China and now I am in the mid-west! I think you just have to own the question sometimes and show people how cool you are! Whatever feels like the right answer to you in your heart is probably all people need to know :) Glad to know other people out there struggle with the same questions as myself!
ReplyDeleteHey Amy! Your struggle of answering “where are you from?” hits too close to home! I feel you! The way you talked about your degree and what you want to do in the future is so inspiring! I really admired people in the medical field, especially during these times! I hope you are feeling better even if the situation did not change that much!
ReplyDeletePs: Your dog is so cute!
Hi Amy!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about all of the stress and struggles you have had with the pandemic and applying to med school. I understand how you're feeling; burn-out is the real deal and it is no fun. But having a long-term plan is so helpful with easing that anxiety, even if it's just a little bit. And, doing little things that you love in your free time is so calming. What is your favorite thing to cook? And, is it your favorite food? I don't know why, but of all the things I can cook and bake, none of them happen to be my favorite food. It's weird but it may be because I'm afraid of ruining it if I make it myself. So that's why I asked :) By the way, your doggo is so cute!
Hi Amy! The "where are you from" question is never fun to answer. It can be really frustrating. Also, your dog Bailey is the absolute cutest!!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! It’s nice to meet you! I think you have a great story about growing up in Indonesia. It’s a gorgeous country! I love meeting people who are passionate about going into medicine, and it sounds like you have a great vision for yourself. My best friend is also premed and has been applying, so I know how stressful it is. I hope it goes well! Bailey is adorable, but I can definitely see the butt in her, too, haha. I’m glad we have dogs to keep us loved and entertained! Best of luck this semester!
ReplyDeleteHey Amy!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand what you mean when you are talking about the question. I, myself, also struggle with that question particularly. I was not born in the States to begin with and I struggle a lot of time identifying my identity. I am recently pursing the same major as you and in the process of applying for medical school as well. I hope that you are doing well in your process and eventually will reach your ultimate goal. I am intrigue that so many people are taking roles in the medicine world and many young talents are doing very good at putting the beginning of a next generation of medicine
Hey there Amy! I kind of understand where you are coming from in a sense. I was born in WA, but moved to OK when I was younger and moved many times with my dad. I am also Japanese, Black, and White, but many people think that I am Pacific Islander based off my name so many things happening. I am so sorry about the stress of applying to medical schools, but YOU GOT IT! It will be over soon and then you can rest in the peace that you made it! I hope that you are having a good semester and I am excited to read more from you!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! I totally understand when people ask where you are from. I never know what to say either since I am Indian-American. Technically, I would be from Oklahoma, but I know that is not the intention of what people are asking. I wish there was a better way to word the question. Also, what movies or TV shows do you like the most? Your dog is so cute and I hope you got to spend extra time with her during quarantine. Good luck on your journey in the medical field. I am pursuing PA school in the future, so I know how stressful it is. Stick with it, you will do amazing things!
ReplyDeleteHey Amy! I also absolutely hate that question, because it feels impossible to answer. I’m Desi-American, and although I was born in Indiana, my family and I moved around a lot, and the question is always so vague. Do they want to know where my family is from or where I was raised? Also, I definitely relate to the burnout of being a premed. With all the volunteering, clinical hours, science classes, and studying for MCAT, it can be really draining. The application process is also really exhausting, but you’re almost done!!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! I totally get the toll applying for medical schools and future jobs can take on the mind. One thing I have tried that helps a lot is setting aside some time in the day to meditate and journal my thoughts. Obviously the same thing won't work for everyone but if you haven't already, it might help calm your mind! I hope you are very proud of yourself for working so hard and staying dedicated. I wish you the best of luck! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteHI Amy!! Wow that is really amazing how you grew up in Indonesia!! Bailey is so cute and she looks adorable in her pink sweater oh my goodness!! I am also going trying to get prepared to apply to medicals schools so I completely understand how how it can be on mental health. Best of luck! I am with you, my favorite thing to do is to eat and I would love to use my extra day of fun to sleep!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! I find it so cool that you were raised in Indonesia for most of your life! I like that you are open to any specialty within the medical field! Your goal of helping the community and improving the overall healthcare system is very thoughtful of you! I also enjoy eating and cooking, I am a big-time foodie! Have an amazing semester ahead of you!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! I was curious what made your parents decide to move to Indonesia? And what are some of the biggest cultural differences between Indonesia and America (I'm sure there are many)? I totally relate to being anxious all the time, I'm currently applying for jobs for post-graduation and it's just a lot, but I'm excited for the future!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI think that it is wonderful that you are pursuing your dreams in Medicine. I am also graduating this spring, and I totally get where you are coming from about being stressed out. It feels like this semester is going by so fast, but at the same time we have so little time to get everything done before graduation. I am curious as to what you like to cook? I am also curious to see what your favorite movies/tv shows are?