Community Service Learning/Internships

AA S 301 is one of the only courses in the nation devoted to studying issues concerning Asian Americans of mixed racial and ethnic heritages. Taught by Dr. Wei Ming Dariotis, students have produced picture books that have been donated as a fundraiser at a Mixed Heritage and Transracial Adoptee Children’s Book Fair. Through the narratives reflected in these picture books, Asian American children of mixed racial and ethnic heritages can see themselves represented, which helps to cultivate a sense of belonging and encourages language skill development.

• All the Beautiful Colors
• The Etiquette of Sushi
• Happie’s Food Adventure
• I Am Pacific Ocean
• SuperHEROtage
• Temari and Joseph’s Talent Show
• Tiffany’s Monstrous Scare
• When Ash Met Sally: A Carnival of Culture
• Who to Show, What to Tell
• Yuki and Mai’s Mighty Mixed Buzz

The AAS Department at SF State, in collaboration with TACT, the Square and Circle Club and the SF Public Library, strives to educate the general public about APIA cultural, historical and literary contributions to American society. AA S 512 students wrote biographical profiles of prominent APIAs that are catered toward the reading levels of children. After researching the historical streets and public spaces in San Francisco, they produced a map of “APIA Stars,” with each star representing a site on San Francisco’s map. Through this multi-collaborative approach, these students have empowered public institutions, such as the SF public library, to advocate for and engage in more cultural events to educate public audiences at a younger age. By focusing on the contributions of pioneering APIAs, the general public can learn to dismantle harmful and superficial stereotypes painted and perpetuated by the mass media.

• Link to APIA Biography Project

Refugees from Burma and Bhutan, Mongolian undocumented families and Bayview Hunter’s Point residents often face post-resettlement challenges, including access to employment and healthcare. AAS 595 students work with local organizations, such as Burma Refugee Family Network (BRFN), to host health fairs and conduct needs assessments for diverse communities in the Bay Area. The results from these projects highlight the importance of ethnic heterogeneity in identifying barriers to accessing essential services, and have produced reports that have been used for strategic planning, grant writing and community education. Non-profit organizations have leveraged these findings to raise over $350,000 in funds. In addition, the results have also helped reform policies to implement more effective evidence-based interventions addressing health disparities in marginalized communities, as well as strengthen the social ties with these organizations for the continuation of these projects.

• Burma Refugee Families & Newcomers 
• View Crisis to Community Development Report 

Students will complete 60 hours of community service with a local community organization in the Bay Area. Community service projects may range from phone banking, planning a pilgrimage to Angel Island, teaching at a local high school, packing lunches for low-income or unhoused, doing research on local ballot propositions, creating content for social media, and more. Students have been placed in internships with the following community organizations, including Nichi Bei Foundation, Bayanihan Equity Center, South of Market Community Action Network, California Nail Salons Collaborative, and Pin@y Educational Partnerships.