This past January, two professors at Duke University expressed concern over Chinese students speaking loudly in their mother tongue on campus. This led the Director of Graduate Studies to send an email to all international students reminding them of the “unintended consequences” that come with speaking their mother tongue in their academic building and other professional settings. The email went viral immediately and sparked outrage from students across the nation. The Director of Graduate Studies issued an apology and stepped down from her role shortly after.
This particular incident reflects the stigma that many international students face today. Of course, speaking in a native language is one way for international students to find comfort in a foreign place. Unfortunately, emails like the one described above and current policies are the reasons why international students feel uncomfortable speaking their own language or even eating native foods; they are fearful of further perpetuating existing stereotypes that are often associated with different races.
While on my phone the other day, I accidentally scrolled to the menu that records my daily screen time. To put it lightly, I was shocked by the amount of time I have been spending on my phone lately. I think most of us can relate to an increase in screen time occurring in our daily lives since quarantine began. Technology and social media have connected us in ways that were never thought to be possible, and they allow us to stay contributing members of society even from home. It makes me wonder how we would have reacted to quarantine 15 or 20 years ago, but then, one doesn’t miss something which is unknown to them. That transition to global interconnectedness through technology is truly unique to this generation, and social media has played a large role in that transition. If you are looking for a film to watch at home that explores this very topic, look no further than The Social Network.
Academy award nominated film The Social Network, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, and many others, directed by David Fincher, traces the development of Facebook from its humble beginnings: Mark Zuckerberg’s college dorm room at Harvard. The film employs a variety of timelines to chronicle the story of Facebook’s creation, the personal lives of its founders, and the ensuing intellectual property lawsuits that plagued Zuckerberg’s young career. It is fast-paced, exciting, and rife with witty banter.
The first time I watched this movie I was struck by the impressive dialogue and pacing. The director shot this film in a way that moves almost as fast as the connections millions of people make on Facebook every day. The dialogue is rapid, the interpersonal relationships between the characters are complex, and the story weaves between the business and personal narratives of its subjects, which are as intense and messy as anyone would expect from college students finding themselves at the forefront of a multi-million dollar idea. Prior to watching, I expected the movie to be more similar to a biopic of Mark Zuckerberg’s life, but it focused on the narrative of his life objectively from multiple perspectives, leaving the viewer to draw their own conclusions about the series of events. This, along with the variety of short scenes taking place in different locations in a non time-sequential order, truly makes you feel like you are piecing together Zuckerberg’s story from pieces of information found in various places on the Internet. It surely leaves a strong impression on the viewer along with questions about the influence media has on our lives.
College can often be overwhelming. While trying to juggle academics, extracurricular activities, social life, sleep, and potentially a job, we often neglect to take care of and check in on our mental health. USC has many resources that directly and indirectly help students to cope with stress and improve their mental health, especially in overwhelming and challenging times such as the circumstances we are facing today. Here are some resources you can reach out to in-person or visually for support.
USC Counseling Services:
Student Counseling Services can help you meet your academic and personal goals. It offers many resources including drop-in workshops and group counseling. For students in distress, it provides support in the form of individual therapy, crisis support, psychiatric services as well as consultation to those who are interested in reaching out to a student in distress. When indicated, it also provides connection to other USC resources or community providers. You can make your first Counseling Consultation appointment online in your student health portal, and they are offering online appointments at this time as well: usc.edu/myshr.
Photo from Piqsels
Professor Beau, the Wellness Dog
No article about wellness at USC is complete without a mention of Professor Beau, USC’s first (and hopefully not last) full-time canine staff member. You can visit this professionally trained Golden Doodle at his office hours on Tuesday and Thursday at 12-1 pm and 11:20 am to 12:30 p.m. respectively at the Student Wellness Lounge (ESH 203). Plus, he’s hypoallergenic! You can check out his (verified) Instagram account here to get your Beau fix from home: https://www.instagram.com/beau_usc/.
Photo from the USC website
Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services
Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services is located in Engemann, Suite 356. It provides immediate therapy services for situations related to gender and power-based harm (e.g., sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking). Through its educational programs, Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services fosters a better understanding of sexual violence, relationship abuse, stalking, and healthy relationships/sexuality. Above all, Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services serves as a haven for students and provides opportunities to make change on campus, through its educational programs and peer outreach program, VOICE .
