Media and Marketing

Bachelor of Asian Studies/ Bachelor of International Relations

2nd year

What language/s can you speak? Or what language/s would you love to learn?

My Mandarin is rudimentary at this stage, having lived in Taiwan for the year of 2018, but I thankfully have been able to continue my study of Bahasa Indonesia and Spanish with the ANU and through ethnocultural societies on campus (Indonesian Student's Association). In the future I would love to pursue further study of Mandarin (so I can develop my writing skills) and Portuguese!

What made you interested in Asia and the Pacific regions? Where would you ideally travel?

I think the Asia Pacific is one of the most dynamic regions in the world and paramount to the development of domestic and foreign policy in Australia. My mother and I both went on exchange to countries in Asia and I have spent a lot of time in South Korea as a child because of her work. I have studied Asian languages for as long as I can remember, trying to speak to relatives and family friends. I am keen to return to Taiwan and South Korea, although I have never been to so many countries in South-East Asia and the Pacific. I hope that soon I can visit, work or study in Indonesia.

What issue in Asia or the Pacific regions are you most passionate about/intrigued by?

I am particularly interested in the shifts occurring in how we define ethnicity, culture and borders in Asia and the Pacific and how these concepts influence geopolitical movements as a whole. The Asia Pacific is prone to revolutionary political processes and are facing an abundance of challenges due to the pandemic, globalisation and changing values. In spite of this, we have seen some of the fastest innovation and development from grass-roots organisations in the Asia Pacific that demonstrates the significance of community, social mobility and cultural diffusion.

Do you have any favourite books/movies from Asia or the Pacific regions? Why would you recommend it?

One piece of Asian media that moved me to tears recently was the film Detention (2019), a horror movie depicting the distorted reality of a teenage girl experiencing political persecution in Taiwan during the period of White Terror. We screened this movie as part of the Taiwanese Politics and Society (ASIA2222) course this summer and discussed the political and cultural significance of martial law in developing social attitudes and political structures in Taiwan and Asia at large. The movie is directed fantastically and was actually adapted from a video game (which I can also recommend!).