2020 Intern spotlight

Back in July, we featured AWFH’s fellowship intern through Tisch Summer Fellows, Jennifer Liu. Jennifer will continue to contribute her graphic design and web skills with AWFH this fall, and we are excited to showcase her talent! 

Jennifer has lived in Jakarta and Singapore, and is a sophomore at Tufts University studying mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering. Her passions include neuroscience, graphic design, as well as journalling! Jennifer hopes to pursue a career in tech, creating technology that is both accessible to marginalized communities and challenge structural inequalities in society. At Tufts, she is the design chair for the Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia Students Association (SIMSA), and is also involved in the Women in Tech Conference.

Q: What was the most memorable experience during your summer fellowship?
One of the most memorable experiences during my summer fellowship was definitely the 11th Annual Asian American Mental Health Forum! I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the amazing planning committee and organize this amazing event that brings together people of different backgrounds to address questions within the AAPI community and mental health. I was excited to be able to incorporate both my passions for graphic design and storytelling to uplift this event and weave an unforgettable experience for the audience. It was such an amazing feeling to watch the event come together after months of hard work!

Q: What are you looking forward to this fall, both at school and with AWFH?
This fall, I look forward to starting sophomore year of college and getting back into a routine! On top of the excitement of starting a new set of classes and meeting new people, I'm enthusiastic to get back to the grind! I for one find that developing a good routine helps me feel more in control of everything and create more structure in my life. Although it will be quite tough to maneuver through online school from the other side of the world, I am excited to embark on this challenging journey! For Asian Women for Health, I am so thrilled to be able to help organize the CelebrAsians Fashion Benefit this Fall! Ever since Chien-Chi told me about CelebrAsians, I loved the entire concept of showcasing the journeys of these inspiring survivor models, and I am so happy to be a part of the planning committee for the first virtual CelebrAsians Fashion Benefit!

Q: How would your family and friends describe you?
I think my family and friends would describe me as caring! I try my best to be that person others can count on, be considerate and kind in all my actions, and create a safe space for the people I love.

Q: What are some self-care practices that you have done to reduce stress?
One self-care practice that I recently just got into is journaling. I use my journal as a vessel to write down my daily affirmations, practice gratitudes, reflect on my day, and collect my favorite quotes! Having just started with my spiritual journey, journalling allows me to practice self-awareness by simply allowing my thoughts to flow as a stream of consciousness. Other self-care practices that I enjoy to reduce stress include creating Spotify playlists, organizing my desk, and listening to podcasts!

Q: Favorite snack these days?
These days, I always find myself munching on Pisang Goreng or Banana Fritters, an Indonesian snack made of banana covered in batter and deep-fried in hot cooking oil. Both sweet and savory, I especially enjoy it served with brown sugar and condensed milk!

Q: Favorite film?
This is a really difficult question because I've got plenty! One of them being Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). This movie follows a couple who underwent a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories. This film touches on so many complex ideas, one of them being the opposition of self-narrative versus predestination, which I find very compelling. This film also speaks to both the painful devastation of a lost love and the blissful fatedness of a new one. Other favorites of mine include Spike Jonze's Her (2013) and Aronofsky's Black Swan (2010).

If you are interested in volunteering with Asian Women for Health, please visit this page and complete the volunteer inquiry form!

Written by: Rachel Park & Jennifer S. Liu