Introduction

Originally from Suzhou, China. I’m currently a senior majoring in Sociology with a minor in Italian Language at Skidmore College.

Over the past 4 years, I have worked mainly in my home country, China. Some jobs include tutor, volunteer, rideshare driver, and so on. The experiences have given me an all-around overview of Chinese society and global cultures.

Outside of work, I’m a language enthusiast and love different cultures. In my free time, I enjoy playing Japanese Mahjong, listening to music, and playing guitar and drums. 

As I move beyond Skidmore, I carry with me the perspectives and tools that my sociology and Italian backgrounds have given me. I haven’t decided on the next step in my life, but I would greatly appreciate it if any job opportunities came my way. I hope to continue examining social worlds with the same curiosity and critical awareness I gained during my studies.

Why Sociology & Italian, and How Do They Shape Me

My background involves a lot of “moving around”: I lived in Spain, China, Bosnia, and the U.S. at various points in my life. As a result, I learnt different languages and have encountered different people throughout my life. I entered sociology with an interest in understanding how people, institutions, and histories shape one another. Sociology has critically shaped my mindset and stigmatized my interest in the concepts of class, race, ethnicity, and so on. Throughout my coursework, I have learned to connect personal experiences with broader social patterns, to apply what C. Wright Mills calls the sociological imagination. I also gained methodological tools through training in qualitative/quantitative methods, interviewing, content analysis, and statistical analysis. These tools helped me understand social issues systematically and rigorously.

Over the past few years, I have begun to apply the sociological knowledge I gained in the classroom to reflect critically on my home country of China. In the past, I often approached social problems through emotion and protest, believing that passionate expression alone could bring about change. Now, I realize that meaningful transformation requires understanding, patience, and attention to the complex interplay of history, policy, and human agency.

The reason I chose Italian as a minor was that I would like to learn a new language, in addition to the three and a half languages I already speak. I have always interacted with people from diverse backgrounds, which has encouraged me to learn various languages.  I figured Italian would be a great choice, as I always want to work or live in Italy, and I am a massive fan of Italian football. After all, language is always a valuable tool in supporting sociology: it is the key to people’s hearts. The more languages I can speak, the easier it is for me to connect with different cultures and understand people’s charming ideas. My Italian minor strengthened my ability to engage with cultural nuance, interpret symbolic meanings, and appreciate cross-national perspectives. 

Sociology provides a rigorous framework for understanding social realities, while Italian offers cultural depth, linguistic sensitivity, and a global perspective. Together, they form the foundation for how I hope to move through the world: critically, empathetically, and openly. In the future, I’d love to explore these topics further through my life experiences!