About Us: Alexis Dale-Huang

Decorations at an outdoor bakery in Meinong, Taiwan.

1. Describe yourself:

I would describe myself as a perpetually curious and nostalgic individual, with interests varying from the Chinese language, to eating foreign delicacies and studying contemporary American politics.  I also have slight obsessions with Coldplay and J. Crew.

2. How did you become interested in International Relations?

Coming from a biracial background, I genuinely think it is important to fully understand your own culture(s), but also the cultures of others around the globe.  I grew up in a household with what my friends like to call, “switched parents”: my Taiwanese father is considered “white-washed” due to his preppy style and inability to read and write Mandarin, while my Caucasian mother is currently a Chinese history professor, fluent in Mandarin, and knowledgeable of Chinese cuisine and customs.  After struggling to really understand the disparities between my two cultures, and eventually seeing them, I became interested in learning more about cultures other than my own by reading novels by writers such as Haruki Murakami, Khaled Hosseini, and Rohinton Mistry.  With these readings, I gradually developed a passion for history, foreign languages, and politics, and discovered International Relations with my mother’s guidance. 

I quote my English teacher as I state, “context determines meaning,” in this setting.

3. Favorite topics/focuses, regarding International Relations?

Although I often invest my free time reading up on Asian culture and the histories of nations in the Pacific Rim, I have recently discovered an interest in human rights in oppressed countries, and the cultural aspects that affect the politics of such societies. 

4. What you plan on majoring in, in the future?

I have declared a major in International Relations, and hope to either double major in Communications, or minor in Asian Studies.

5. Character/public figure you hope to emulate?

I’m afraid I can’t answer this; there are too many!

6. Why did you join the Plenipotentiaries?

My colleague, Marie Johnson, and I originally created this blog to allow ourselves to conduct more in-depth research on our topics of interest.  Yet, as the blog grew, I found that I was able to not only become more aware of what was going on in all parts of the world, but was also able to educate my fellow peers through my posts, and ultimately have a better experience in the process.

7. What do you hope to do after leaving Mills?

As I begin my studies at my selected four-year university next year, I hope to study either French or Arabic in college, while continuing my Mandarin, and plan on studying abroad several times with my university’s various programs.  While my main goal for the next four years is to continue exploring all of my interests in school and eventually find the career that fits with them. I also hope to return to my original hometown of Washington, D.C.