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Just once I would like to see an Asian student major in something like philosophy or classics... hell, English even. Probably too much to ask, I know.
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<p>I have a Korean friend going to my college next year that's majoring in musical theatre. In fact, I only know a handful of Asians from high school who are majoring in science or math, plus one in clinical psychology/nutrition. Most are majoring in English, music, or economics (which is arguably math.. but not quite).</p>
<p>You're never going to find FOBs/FOPs and 1st gen South Asians as non-technical majors (or at the very most, it would be an extreme rarity), but with the 2nd generation and beyond, you'll will an ever increaseing percentage of interesting in arts and humanities majors.</p>
<p>Look, the reason it seems like Indians are only interested in technical majors is that its those majors and careers that get you to the US and Canada. Immigration into the US from the South Asia is not like trying to get in from Mexico or Columbia. It is very meritocratic; with very few exceptions now more than ever, you don't even get in unless you have a job or college admission with funding. While immigration into Canada is easier, it's still very much the same case. How many jobs in arts and philosophy are there for South Asians? </p>
<p>It's very ludicrous assumption to think that Asia doesn't have art. Very wrong. My very own native region of South Asia (Bengal) has been very active in the arts. The first Nobel Laureate in literature was a Bengali (Rabindranath Tagore). All of Asia is brimming was an artistic culture; it just doesn't do much to get you to America. My point is babbling like is that Asians are very capable of majoring in non-technical majors and you see this is Asians who are 3rd or 4th generation American or Canadian.</p>
<p>Asian culture is very diverse and rich...there is no doubt..and it is also gaining acceptance on a global scale..however..it is true that Asians tend be interested in technical fields..its not only to immigrate to countries like the US or Canada but to earn respect as well..Asian countries do not seem to place much prestige in the arts and humanities as much as they do on technical areas such engineering and medecine. i think people in Asian culture must become aware of their own culture and help spread it..the lack of museums and muscial institutes is reflection of the rather technically focused culture in Asia..i am not saying that its a negative thing but i believe it ought to be balanced.</p>
<p>hey, i was born in pakistan, moved here @ about 5, and I want to go into business (how many of those do you see? ; ). Hell, my parents always suggest I should be a doctor or engineer (shiver). Key thing is: do what you want to do, for whatever reasons they may be. If you're a mathematical genius, then go for it, screw ratial stereotyping (and props to you, because I have to actually think in math class ! : )</p>
<p>anyways, I think you'll see a lot of Asians, in general, in college simply b/c they're immigrants trying to live out the American dream. Unlike most lazy people, Asians generally have the drive to succeed, especially if they come from rough backgrounds (hey, that's where i come into this : )</p>
<p>P.S. Try tweazers, I know it hurts (a lot ; ) , but it really improves your appearance. lol</p>
<p>Asian Americans are everywhere when it comes to majors. However when you're talking about Asian immigrants, the majority aren't going to come here just to major in the Classics. They're going to come here because they want to move up in society. They want a degree that will get them a great job. One example is nursing. Nursing is not as technical as physics or engineering, yet massive amounts of Asian immigrants have come here to be nurses because they know that there is tons of demand. If philosophy majors were what computer science was in the tech boom, you would see a flood of Asians coming here to be philosophy majors.</p>
<p>It's funny what every one says about Asians being more interested in science, math and technology more than anything else.</p>
<p>For those who don't know, in China, from ancient times to the early 20th century (some two millennia of dynastic ruling), literature, social policy, philosophy and to a lesser extent, visual arts (esp. painting) and music were the marks of the elite. The most powerful were those who served in government and in order to do so, one must pass stringent exams in literature and Confucian philosophy. This is the so-called literati class. </p>
<p>Fields such as medicine, business (merchant class), agriculture, engineering etc. were viewed as inferior. This is not to say that Asian countries did not have great contributions in mathematics, engineering etc. However, these fields were nonetheless not as prestigious as the humanities. </p>
<p>Perhaps the reason that Asians seem so "driven" today in the sciences is a result of history- the Asian countries were completely humiliated by Western colonization during the 19th and early 20th century. There is definitely some wish to "catch up" so to say.</p>
<p>Furthermore, before all yal' complain about engineers- frankly we need them in the US more than anything. If this country is to stay competitive economically, we need to push scientific and technological research- otherwise, we would fall behind. So non-Asians, perhaps more people should consider the sciences?</p>
<p>About half the population of the entire world live in Asia. So they got to have some artistic creativity, although they might not be the most prolific people due to obvious reasons of poverty, etc.</p>
<p>Well, it's not as if there's a complete lack of Asians in the social sciences. </p>
<p>Take law, for example. Among the most well known law professors in the US (i.e. if you asked the educated for their list of top 3 law professors) is Yale Law School's Akhil Reed Amar. And as for practicing lawyers, just take a look at what is, in the news, the most prominent case right now: Hamdan v. Rumsefeld, where the Supreme Court ruled military tribunals in Guantanamo Bay illegal. The lawyer representing Hamdan, the winning party: Neal Katyal of Georgetown Law Center.</p>
<p>That said, there's clearly not a proportionate split amongst Asians between the sciences/engineering and the humanties/social sciences. I think, though, that as has been mentioned, that the primary prerogative of Asians in the US right now is to rise in society financially (the reason they immigrated here), and the most stable way to do so? Engineering/medicine. As future generations establish more solid footing, I think we'll see a greater number of Asians pursue the humanities and social sciences.</p>
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Just once I would like to see an Asian student major in something like philosophy or classics... hell, English even. Probably too much to ask, I know.
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<p>Take a look at the University of California system. Tons of Asians going into non technical fields.</p>
<p>well ima desi(slang term for paki indian) and ima a double major: history and business economics if that counts as a deviation from the norm. And i had a english comp teach who was indian women as well. Most are pre-med or engineering. uclaaaaaa has hella desi.</p>
<p>why would u want to major in philosophy or classics? Theres real potential there? Although philosophy is a major associated with law school. BUT lets not forgot, around 35% of lawyers regret becoming lawyers and since everyone and their mom is going to law school, who needs that competition?</p>