Recent Grad Shares Cultural Experiences

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

When it comes to sharing her culture with others around her, Christina Tan loves talking about her heritage. “I love my culture! I am Vietnamese-American, and I wanted to join a community where there were other Asians that were pursuing the same career as me,” Tan says. “This is why I joined Asian-American Student Nursing Association in my Freshman year and continued to my Senior year.”

Christina, a recent May 2021 graduate in CONHI’s BSN program, went on to serve as an officer in UTA’s Asian American Student Nursing Association, or AASNA. Established in CONHI in 2016, AASNA serves as a liaison between the Asian American community, lower-division nursing students, upper-division nursing students, faculty, staff, and nursing professionals. AASNA hosts educational, fundraising and networking events throughout the year, and often features prominent and successful AAPI community members.

“I loved sharing our culture through events such as the lunar festival and food fundraisers where we sold Asian food. It was a great way to connect with others with similar interests and share our culture.” Tan recalls.

Tan is taking her love of sharing her cultural experiences out into the field as well. Currently working at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, she loves bringing her own diversity into the workplace. “This past lunar year, I passed out red envelopes to my co-workers, who loved it! I was able to explain the meaning behind it and educate them more on Asian traditions,” Tan shares. “I hope to educate others who are not familiar with Asian culture. It also allows me to be more culturally diverse and competent especially when dealing with patients from different backgrounds.”

-Amanda Wenzel, Assistant Director CONHI Marketing and Communications