ITASA ECC 2021

Sketching Your Own Path

Oftentimes, it is easy to make decisions based off what others tell you to do. I am sure most of us can relate to a time when we did something because our parents said we had to (piano lessons anyone?) or because our friends thought it was cool. We tend to let society decide our path for us, rather than really taking the time to figure out what we want for ourselves, and that process is difficult! There are many options to consider and we are at a point in our lives when there are countless opportunities ahead of us. We would like our conference to highlight the many different possible paths you could choose and help guide you to create your own.

The Taiwanese American community is comprised of individuals, many of whom are leaders in their respective fields. At an inflection point in our community’s history, we hope to explore the future of Taiwanese Americans through the lens of leaders, influencers, and pioneers of a variety of fields. Workshops will focus on the expectations speakers have faced and overcome, how success can take on different forms, and the support that leaders give each other in the Taiwanese American community. We hope to use this as an opportunity for our collegiate Taiwanese American community to gain invaluable intellectual insight, learn from experienced mentors, and discover engaging role models to help them sketch their own paths.

Our Vision

We have grown up in a society where the beliefs and opinions of others have defined our sense of identity and purpose. Many limits and barriers to success are placed on Taiwanese Americans due to stereotypes. Despite these struggles, Taiwanese Americans have become immensely successful leaders within their respective fields. Along with these stereotypes, the expectations set on Taiwanese Americans by society, family, and themselves have further inhibited individuals.

Our goal is to highlight three major aspects that these individuals face on their different paths to success. By addressing expectations they have personally experienced and will continue to tackle, speakers will speak about how they deal with and overcome them to achieve success. After advancing in their fields, leaders give back to their community and support others. We hope to inspire attendees to identify their own potential and inspire them to look towards -- to dream about -- the future.

About ITASA

The Intercollegiate Taiwanese American Students Association (ITASA) is a non-profit organization providing events and resources that explore and celebrate Taiwanese American identity in order to connect, inspire, and empower its community.

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East Coast Conference

Each year, ITASA hosts three regional conferences on the East Coast, in the Midwest and on the West Coast. Be a part of the East Coast Taiwanese American students community at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland at ECC 2021!