Shih Han (Nini) Kuo

Hometown: El Paso, TX

Major: iMPA

Year: Sophomore

1. Why did you join ABSA?

It all started with a long list of student organizations, me getting overwhelmed, and then choosing ABSA because it's name was at the top, but after going through tabling and kind of getting brainwashed on what ABSA was all about, by the time I left the zoom meeting I knew I wanted to join ABSA for sure. Now after this fulfilling year of meeting new people and learning different skills, each event makes me even more firm that I made the right decision. I learned so much from the big family that ABSA is, and it has made coming to college so much less intimidating and lonely.

2. What is your favorite ABSA memory?

This year there was an external event called Make the Escape where we needed to escape a virtual escape room. Our team "The Escapees" were in it to win it!!! Only... to get stuck halfway through and we spent the rest of the time trying to pressure our moderator for more hints. However, it was this event where I got to meet some of my closest friends in ABSA, and there was not a moment during the event where we weren't laughing. I had such a fun time and most importantly the event was for a good cause, all I really want now is to actually escape from an escape room.

3. What’s your favorite thing about UT Austin?

I have only visited Austin a couple of times, but from the few times I have visited I already love the city! Whenever me and my family go we are always stock up on a lot of Asian snacks that we don't have here in El Paso, and just exploring different food places has always been super fun!

4. If you could give one piece of advice to your freshman self, what would it be?

I think I would tell myself, "Don't get caught up in your thoughts" not in a mean way, but sometimes I tend to overthink and get stuck up in my mind. Then, because I tend to just act things out in my mind when I actually talk I get self - conscious and end up stuttering through my words. It's kind of like a texting vs real talking situation, sometimes I talk too fast or in a illogical manner even I get confused. So if I have the chance to yell at freshman year Nini, I would tell her get out of your head and actually talk to people.

5. What is your dream job?

If I could really be anything in the world right now and not be "realistic" I would would want to be a traveling artist, visiting different places and recording my experiences along the way. I like to find creative ways to record my memories, so if money was not a factor I want to go out and see the world beyond different borders and lenses from different cultures.

6. What’s your favorite TV Show/Movie/etc?

There is this Chinese movie that came out at the beginning of this year called "Hi, Mom" and I literally couldn't stop crying through it, it was really good in my opinion you guys should definitely watch it.

7. What is one thing that you love about yourself?

One thing I love about myself is my ability to fall asleep fast, especially since I think way too much at night, going to sleep can really limit the amount of unnecessary emotions I feel, especially if there is final the next day. Tomorrow is a brand new day!

8. Name the top five things on your bucket list

Go to a place where you can see lots of stars
Visit Antarctica
Learn American Sign Language
Do something good for the world
Make a thousand paper cranes