2008 Woodie Awards
Exchange student adjusts and prospers over four years
Cianel Palmer '08
Issue date: 5/10/08 Section: Features
By Cianel Palmer '08
Special to The Hawk
Senior Christina Lau, a foreign exchange student from Hong Kong, may be one of the most driven, and most misunderstood, students at Saint Joseph's University.
Begin chipping away at the surface of this 22-year-old pharmaceutical major, and you'll find a young woman on a mission, and the reasons why.
"I like to say I'm an Italian Jew born in Nashville, Tennessee," said Lau.
Her thick Chinese accent betrayed the joke.
"My friends made it up for me one night," she explained. "They say I like to talk so much and I use my hands, so that's the Italian in me. I am very close to my family, so my family values are the Jewish in me. Then I absolutely love country music."
Lau said she chose Saint Joseph's because the university's "beliefs and ideals" matched her own.
Lau is focused on making a difference in the world. While at Saint Joseph's, she joined cultural clubs and groups where her dedication could serve a purpose. She held the publicity chair and multicultural chair for the Student Union Board, and was involved with Habitat for Humanity, Community Day, Harambee, and Collegiate Challenge, among a host of other activities.
"There's so much going on," said Lau. "I'm a strong believer that one person can contribute to the world. If everyone gives $1 a day, it can make a huge difference."
Her peers see her dedication. Lau was nominated for a university ethics award by her peers, Kelly Babis, '08, and Michael Mungai, '09.
"She works so hard," said Mary Lannon, a senior pharmaceutical major. "I always see her in the library working on projects and stuff."
Other students were put off by Lau's determination. Her peers sometimes rolled their eyes when her teachers praised her work, but Lau said she did not work hard just to show her classmates up.
"I want to inspire other students, make an impact on developing countries, and make a better life for my parents," said Lau.
Special to The Hawk
Senior Christina Lau, a foreign exchange student from Hong Kong, may be one of the most driven, and most misunderstood, students at Saint Joseph's University.
Begin chipping away at the surface of this 22-year-old pharmaceutical major, and you'll find a young woman on a mission, and the reasons why.
"I like to say I'm an Italian Jew born in Nashville, Tennessee," said Lau.
Her thick Chinese accent betrayed the joke.
"My friends made it up for me one night," she explained. "They say I like to talk so much and I use my hands, so that's the Italian in me. I am very close to my family, so my family values are the Jewish in me. Then I absolutely love country music."
Lau said she chose Saint Joseph's because the university's "beliefs and ideals" matched her own.
Lau is focused on making a difference in the world. While at Saint Joseph's, she joined cultural clubs and groups where her dedication could serve a purpose. She held the publicity chair and multicultural chair for the Student Union Board, and was involved with Habitat for Humanity, Community Day, Harambee, and Collegiate Challenge, among a host of other activities.
"There's so much going on," said Lau. "I'm a strong believer that one person can contribute to the world. If everyone gives $1 a day, it can make a huge difference."
Her peers see her dedication. Lau was nominated for a university ethics award by her peers, Kelly Babis, '08, and Michael Mungai, '09.
"She works so hard," said Mary Lannon, a senior pharmaceutical major. "I always see her in the library working on projects and stuff."
Other students were put off by Lau's determination. Her peers sometimes rolled their eyes when her teachers praised her work, but Lau said she did not work hard just to show her classmates up.
"I want to inspire other students, make an impact on developing countries, and make a better life for my parents," said Lau.
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