Bridging Cultures: A Journey in Asian Languages and Community Empowerment

Nautilus MambajeIn May 2024, Nautilus Mambaje graduated with a double major in Asian Languages and Cultures and Gender and Women’s Studies, along with a certificate in Asian American studies. He began studying Asian languages and cultures taking four years of Mandarin in high school. Coming into college, Mambaje decided to transition to Thai.  

“I was already struggling from COVID. So, after having in depth conversations with my counselor, we ended up deciding on going to another language for two semesters. So, I chose Thai because my best friend is Thai and currently lives in Thailand,” said Mambaje.  

During his first year, Mambaje took classes in a first-year interest group focused on Asian enchantment, which sparked their interest in Thai studies. Throughout Mambaje’s experience with the Asian Languages and Cultures major, he enjoyed courses taught by Professors Tyrell Haberkorn and Jamal Jones. Mambaje appreciated the liberty and creativity these professors granted them in these classes.  

“My favorite courses have to be on the capstones, which was Communism, Anarchism, and other in Asia taught by Tyrell where we got to read a bunch of really interesting and compelling memoirs and articles about activists in Southeast Asia and discuss political differences,” said Mambaje.  

In another course, Mambaje was able to write a paper on ‘magical girls,’ a trope in Japanese manga and literature created to empower young women through play and creativity, especially in a time where social and cultural pressures were placed on them. Exploring this topic allowed Mambaje to have creative liberty he didn’t expect. 

After graduation, Mambaje plans on taking a gap year, then applying to graduate school in Ethnic or Asian American studies. He aspires to pursue his passion for researching and learning about liberation movements, as well as immigration and refugees in America.  

“I really love looking into and learning about Asian communities as a whole, not just Asian American or not just Asian immigrants,” Mambaje said. “But instead, finding the gaps and finding how elders and newer generations have been communicating to build the community.”