About Us: Justin Li

Describe yourself:
      I have been described as an analytical person with "chronic euphoria." My opinion is that world events are more interesting in the past tense and science is more exciting the future tense, and most of the research that I do for fun reflect that. Outside of studies, I'm an avid reader, gamer, and writer, quite possibly with an overactive imagination.


How did you become interested in International Relations?
      My dad introduced me to strategy games at a very young age, so I picked up on the basic ideas behind politics and history pretty quickly. For me, the motivations and effects behind history came easily, and International Relations was an extension of that, except that everything is in the present instead of the past. 
      Unlike what seems to be the norm, growing up as a Chinese-American child has been utterly unremarkable for me. I didn't have very many conflicts trying reconcile my heritage and my environment, despite, or maybe because, I spent most of my school years in an American school system with an Asian majority.
      I did, however, focus more intensely on Western history than I did on Asian history, probably because most historical strategy games are developed by western companies for western consumers. There may have also been the issue that there are relatively few books on Asian history written by culturally Asian authors in English.
      Who said games rot the brain?

Favorite topics/focuses, regarding International Relations?
      I don't have much of a mind for remembering recent events or names of prominent public figures, however, I do enjoy analyzing the potential motivations behind world events and extrapolating potential actions that could result. I believe that by using history as a starting point, any action committed by a political entity can be understood and analyzed for future actions.

What you plan on majoring in, in the future?
      Biology, or failing that, some other science. Not that I lack passion in International Relations, but I really am a shy and introverted person. I really don't think a future that requires such a high level of human interaction is for me. 

Character/public figure you hope to emulate?
      I have no idea. As far as public figures go, I was fairly determined to make my own way in the world. I still am.

Why did you join the Plenipotentiaries?
      Alexis sent an email one day about writing a blog. It hit me out of the blue but I jumped on because it's not every day that I get to write about something I'm passionate about.

What do you hope to do after leaving Mills?
      I hope to do what everyone else hopes to do, make enough money doing a job I love to live life. Odds are, because of my science focus, I won't be out of college for quite a few years, but after that, anything goes. I would like to travel, maybe revisit the places my parents took me as a child, but this time seeing the world through a more mature (and physically higher) perspective.

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.