Taylor Storlien-
Each year, the Asian Student Union puts on the Asian Night Market. There, students are welcome to play games, win prizes, enjoy food and drinks, and be entertained by both student and professional performances. This year, they had the Lions Dancer group called Tay Phoung Lions perform, as well as two circus performers: Aidan Chang and Olivia Monson-Haefel from Circus Juventas. Leading up to the Asian Night Market, ASU puts in the effort to have events throughout the week.
They kicked off their week with Trivia Night in the Courtyard Cafe. After that, they hosted a Ramen Night in the IC kitchen. In order to prepare for the big event last Saturday, they invited all hands to be on deck for their Prep Night in the IC kitchen. And as many might have noticed, the rock was painted for the Asian Night Market as well.
A lot happens to ensure the success of these events: “Lead-up is fun and stressful! We have great events that promote Asian culture on campus such as Ramen Night and Asian Trivia with food. But behind the scenes is crazy!! We have to make sure everything is ready ahead of time and that our decorations and food are on point,” ASU Risk Advisor and Senior Jackie Len Patterson said. Patterson also ran the stage and helped procure the performers. These stressful times, however, create opportunities for members to bond. “Making sure we have everything laid out and planned and ensuring we have the needed materials for each event–however, amidst the chaos, it is a great way to bond!” Co-President and Senior Ellen Curtin said. Curtin’s role for ANM was managing the event as a whole before and during alongside her Co-President and Senior Sophie Schmitz, which included setting up Lund as well as making sure everyone was prepared.
Asian Student Union, under its current name, has not been around for long. It was originally named Asian American Outreach (AAO) before being renamed ASU in 2019. It was renamed “as smaller Asian-based organizations began to consolidate with it, such as Chinese Cultures Club and Vietnamese Student Association,” Curtin said. That doesn’t mean the presence of Asian-based clubs and organizations at Gustavus isn’t brand new: “However, behind the printer in the Campus Center, there is a painting that was gifted by the “Asian Cultures Club” in 2003, so who really knows how long Asian-based clubs have been Gustavus,” Curtin said.
While Asian-based clubs and organizations on campus have been around for a while, Asian Night Market is still a newer event to the Gustavus campus. It was first put on in 2019, and it was unable to be hosted until 2022 due to COVID-19 restrictions. “The co-presidents then, Mary and Dang, put everything they possibly could into really making it a big event. Happily, it was a super successful event for Asian Student Union. That is when it really became an annual event for ASU, and it only continues to grow,” Curtin said.
Patterson refers to ASU as “one of the big three alongside OLAS and PASO.” As an international student, ANM is a big deal for Patterson: “As an international student from Papua New Guinea and the Philippines, this event and ASU in general creates a sense of belonging for me on campus. I believe ANM is important because it shows the majority of campus what Asian culture is and empowers people who are a part of Asian culture or simply appreciate it,” Patterson said.
One of Curtin’s favorite parts about ASU is its value on campus. “The Asian Student Union club is valuable to Gustavus because it offers an open space to build a community between students of Asian heritage and students who are eager to learn about different cultures! Through cultural events and general meetings, the club provides a supportive and fun environment where students can both celebrate their heritage and broaden their understanding of others,” Curtin said. Asian Night Market is a perfect example of this, as it is one of their largest events throughout the year. “ANM also provides a gateway to try Asian food and see Asian performers to broaden our cultural experience on campus. Asia is so broad, so we try our best to touch all bases of Asian culture through music, food, and games!” Patterson said.
As an annual event, it varies from year to year. “Through a variety of activities, vendors, performances, and food, this event presents an engaging display of Asian cultures that enriches the campus experience for students, faculty, staff, as well as any outside event goers attending that creates a stronger sense of community,” Curtin said.