Transfer student Zhenye A.K.A. Ryan Pan is a global studies major and traveled to France during the summer of 2019. In June, Ryan joined the Global Studies Program: Global Challenges in Postcolonial France and traveled to Paris. While in the program, he focused on cultural, political, economic, and social issues facing France as a postcolonial power in the twenty-first century. He also visited fourteen other countries and twenty cities within three weeks. The countries included Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark.
When Studying abroad, he learned about the complexities of French society in social, cultural, economic, and political contexts. To understand the anti-globalization sentiments of French nationalists, he focused on the interrelations between French gastronomy and French nationalism. In addition, he compared the differences between the Louvre and Museé du Quai Branly to investigate the way in which cultural diversity is understood in France.
Ryan is a first generation college student and non-traditional student at UCLA. He is a Chinese immigrant and moved to the United States knowing little English, even though he had learned about English exams in China. When his family came to the US, he persevered and started to take non-credit English classes at City College of San Francisco while working a part-time job. As a first generation immigrant and university student, he worked hard to improve his language skills by volunteering, integrating into the community, and using school resources. A year after, he successfully transferred to credit programs at CCSF and became an English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor for adult learners. He also served as the first Secretary then Vice President at the Associated Students Council at CCSF. He received scholarships for his hard work and was accepted to many schools he applied. He decided to attend UCLA in Fall 2018.
Once at UCLA he was quick to join clubs and meet more people. His first quarter, he participated in the Plato Society and learned about politics and history of the American Left. To increase his knowledge and professionalism, he also joined the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law International Fraternity (PAD), the United Nations Association (UNA), and the Global Development Lab. A year later, he became the Director of Professional Development and Director of Ceremony for PAD, and Vice President of UNA. Ryan is passionate about public speaking. He has been invited to speak at ESL classes to share his journey with students at community colleges. In addition, he has spoken at many volunteer orientations and campus events.
Ryan is a transfer rock star and we wish he continued luck in the future.
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