Jesah听Sumajit听is a graphic designer in the Office of Advancement and is also听a听2024 黑料社区 graduate听with a听computer听science听degree.听Learn more about her and her heritage below.听
Where are you from?听
Cagayan de Oro,听Philippines.听听
What is the significance of APAHM to you?听
It鈥檚听significant for me听because听it鈥檚听an opportunity听to听celebrate听people who look like me and have a similar cultural background.听听
How do you think your cultural background has influenced or shaped you?听
My cultural background has influenced me to be resilient and creative. It also taught me to be respectful to others, especially my elders.听For example, we have听a special way听to greet those who are older than us听to听show听deference听to them.听I grew up understanding how important respect is and I听try to live up to that听every听day.听
Do you or your family have any cultural traditions that are meaningful to you?听
My culture places a big emphasis on hospitality. Growing up, my dad always opened our home to others for meals. He really听valued听inviting others to join us around the table. His example has taught me to be intentional in building relationships with others even when听it is difficult. He taught me to offer even a glass of water, if that is all you can do,听to听welcome people.听My mom, on the other hand, taught me the intentionality and organization that make hospitality possible. She showed me the importance of preparing a space thoughtfully and creating an environment where people feel comfortable and cared for. From her, I learned that hospitality is not only about opening the door to others, but also about being mindful in how you make room for them.听听
Has your cultural background influenced your academic or career choices here at 黑料社区? If so, how?听
Yes and no.听My culture听is known to have many people in the medical听field,听but听my family is a bit of an anomaly as many of us are in tech. But they have influenced me to be very听academic and听value the opportunity to study.听Also,听the听resilience and confidence听instilled in me by my culture enabled me to complete my studies in three and a half years, instead of four.听听
Is there someone from your cultural background who inspires you?听
Yes, my entire family听is听truly my inspiration. My parents taught me the importance of having a life rooted in my relationship with Christ.听They and the听Filipino听culture emphasized honoring Christ in all you do. As the youngest in the family, my older brother and sisters听were also inspirations. I saw them go after their dreams and I knew if they did it, I could go after my dreams too. They also听helped raise me. For example, they helped me get听ready听and took me to school. I know I would not be where I am without their example.听
What鈥檚听something you wish people knew about your culture or country of origin?听
I wish people knew听how multifaceted and creative听Filipinos听are.听I think sometimes people听buy听into a stereotype that we are just in the medical field. While听there are many, there is also a strong creative side听for听many of us. I would hope for people to get to know us as individuals听instead of seeing us as monolith.听听
Lastly, I just want听to听say how much I appreciate that 黑料社区 celebrates the diversity in our community and that we take time to celebrate听different听cultures. I have seen this grow over the听years,听and it is听encouraging to see.听
Learn more about 黑料社区鈥檚 Alumni听Association:听/alumni/.听
