I am from China. The things I miss most about home are probably friends and family. I keep in touch with them from time to time online and it is great to know what they are up to, but of course sometimes I wish I could join them.

What made you decide to come to Amherst?

A lot of things really. Great academics, good location, close-knit community, open curriculum and financial aid are among some.

What is your favorite place to study in Amherst?

Second floor of Keefe Campus Center because the study rooms are usually unoccupied. And Frost. Science Library is pretty good too — usually study there immediately after classes in Merrill.

What is your favorite food at Val?

Chicken nuggets are fantastic. I also love trying world cuisines out of curiosity.

If I looked at your iPod right now, what song would you be most embarrassed of having?

Teen pop, like Justin Bieber.

You are in Amherst Dance right now. What do you like about it? How do you see yourself as a dancer?

Amherst Dance is great because we have so many styles to choose from. I am doing Kuchipudi, which I had never heard of before rehearsals started. It feels great to do things I have no previous experience in. Maybe I will try a different style next semester, like ballroom. Come to our show (at 7 p.m. on Dec.3 in Kirby)! I do mostly contemporary—I see myself as a lyrical mover who likes to improvise and incorporate real-life experience into dancing, as well as to challenge myself technically.

You are also involved in Mulitcultural Resource Center (MRC). What do you for MRC? What do you enjoy about it?

I am a volunteer at MRC, holding office hours on Friday. I am on the Dialogue panel, helping organize MRC dialogues which bring people of different backgrounds on campus together to discuss a topic which has relevance to our identity, but with little or inadequate discussion here.

What is something that not many people know about you?

Hmm... I was badminton team (varsity) captain in high school... have been on live television with an average viewership of 30 million (but China is a bigger country than the U.S. after all)... was born in Gobi Desert... speak some Lao...

If you could take five things to a deserted island, what would you take and why?

Tricky question. Water, matches, compass, some communication system and a gun. All for survival, you know.

What is one hobby that you have? What do you like about it?

I like writing movie reviews. They are not necessarily brilliant, but writing them educates me and allows further reflection.

Do you have any interesting, ambitious and/or weird plans for the spring semester and the following summer?

Interesting plan: travel (destination unknown). Ambitious plan: an A-minus average. Weird plan: gain 10 pounds.

What fictional character best represents you and why?

I can’t think of a “best,” and I actually see myself more in memoirs. But Hugo in “L’homme de sa vie” [represents me], for his struggle between emotion and sensibility; Jeff in “Ciao,” for his loud silence; and Andre in “Dear Andre,” for his thoughts on the society and his name!

What do you want to major in? What is your plan for your academic future and career?

I am a first-year so I have not decided yet, but most likely psychology, with a chance of double-majoring. My plan sounds really common — learn more, explore further, and challenge myself constantly. Very vague, I know, but I’m trying not to set too concrete a blueprint now (I do have some ideas which I will try out).

— Nancy Tang ’14