#pvom

We are excited to announce Rumong Yobech as our /present voice of the month for July 2016.  Here is Rumong in his own words!

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Rumong Elison Yobech. I am from the Republic of Palau. I am currently a junior undergraduate student studying Forensic Science at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut. When I am not studying or in class, I love playing the guitar and the ukulele, eating all kinds of food, singing, dancing, meeting new people, playing sports, and participating in events on campus. In a nutshell, I am a social butterfly who likes to make people laugh and my philosophy in life is "work smart and always be kind".

Where are you from? Where are you now?

I am from the Republic of Palau, I attended  Xavier High School in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, and now I am studying forensic science at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut.

Who or what do you re/present? And how?

I humbly re/present the youth and the coming generation of my country, the Republic of Palau. I want to be a living symbol for opportunity and that working hard and smart can help you achieve your goals in life. Achieving higher education and bringing the knowledge I attain back to my country is a first step to help develop my country. I am studying forensic science in hopes that I can use it to aid the justice system back home. I want the the younger people back home to see me as a role model to take every opportunity they can to develop themselves so they can give back to the community that raised them.

What has been the most significant event of your life thus far?

The most significant event that has happened in my life thus far is when I realized that I needed to get out of my bubble and become more involved in my college campus. I struggled my freshmen year to adjust because the lifestyle was very different. I was closed off and feared that I might never make friends or have an amazing college experience. One day, I was invited to attend a club meeting for the International Students Assocation and I ended up falling in love with it. Since then, it felt like home and I began to become passionate to get involved with many organizations on campus. I joined a fraternity that had the same values I have, took up leadership positions for different organizations, and since then, I have learned and grown so much.

What superhero power would you want? And why?  

We are excited to announce Radha Dahal as our /present voice of the month for May 2016! Radha is a community leader that is passionate about health and giving back.  She has taken advantage of educational opportunities to better herself and others.  We are excited to highlight her this AAPI heritage month!  Here is Radha in her own words:

Tell us about yourself.

I am Radha Dahal, pursing my studies at Georgia State University to be a respiratory therapist. I am an APIASF scholarship recipient.  I will be graduating in Fall 2017.  I live in Atlanta, Georgia with my parents and siblings. I am Radha Dahal, pursing my studies at Georgia State University to be a respiratory therapist. I am an APIASF scholarship recipient.  I will be graduating in Fall 2017.  I live in Atlanta, Georgia with my parents and siblings.

Where are you from? Where are you now?

I was born in Bhutan, but became a refugee in my infancy. I spent 18 years in the refugee camp in Nepal studying under the trees and living in Bamboo huts. In 2008, I was relocated to the United State and I have been living here ever since.

Who or what do you re/present? And how?

I represent the millions of refugee youths who given a chance build themselves to be assets to humanity. I also represent the fist generation of Bhutanese American college-goers, especially the women who have deeply felt the importance of health and service for bettering the lives of their community members. With my studies to be a respiratory therapist I am gaining the required skills to serve better those who are suffering from respiratory diseases. I have also seen the difference between having an opportunity and not having one. Thus, I represent those people who make the best use of educational opportunities they get.

What has been the most significant event of your life thus far?

In 2008, I was resettled in the USA. It not only gave me a country but also a new life full of opportunities. The resettlement has made me realize how useful a human life can be to the world with opportunities like the one I got. If it had not been for this event, I would have just spent the rest of my life not being able to add value to it through my education and service with right skills to those in need.  

What superhero power would you want? And why?