Gen Harada
Chicago, IL
Management Major/Communication & Media Studies Minor
Gen Harada was born in Japan and raised in Hawaii and Illinois, so when he came to Goucher, he didn't worry about standing out or fitting in.
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Management
Communication & Media Studies
Community Living
Red Hot Blue
"In Hawaii and Japan, I was in the majority," says Harada. "In Chicago, I was the only Asian student in my high school. I love the challenge of coming into a situation like that and figuring out what's going on."
Coming from a high school where "everything was run by the teachers," Harada was interested in joining student-run initiatives on campus. In addition to majoring in management and minoring in communications, he served as a community assistant, helping a residence hall full of first-year students adjust to college life. He also sang as a member of Red Hot Blue, a co-ed a cappella club dedicated to promoting AIDS awareness. Through his extracurricular activities, he's found it easy to make friends.
"Almost everyone here is approachable in one way or another," says Harada. "It's easy to create bonds, because everyone is willing to talk to you, even if you're someone they don't know. And there are so many different kinds of people. You'll find someone who has something in common with you and what you're doing."
Despite the sense of acceptance he found on campus, Harada occasionally found himself in situations where students had unreasonable stereotypes about Asian culture. But he's quick to point out that sometimes innocent mistakes can lead to greater understanding.
"I've definitely been in classes where they'll all turn to me if there's any question about Asia," says Harada. "Sometimes they're just joking, but most of the time, they really wonder if I know all these things about Chinese or Korean culture. Either way, I always welcome the mistakes that people make. I very strongly encourage people to ask whatever they want about me. Nothing offends me. I'd rather have them make a mistake with me than leave them wondering and maybe later on offending someone else."
While he has had a positive experience at Goucher, Harada thinks it's important for prospective students to think about what they want to get out of college life, and consider their own social interests and expectations before making a decision.
"Ask yourself—are you going to be offended?" says Harada. "Do you mind being in a minority situation? If not, then come to this school. If you're secure about yourself, or at least interested in realizing who you are and exploring the differences between yourself and others, you'll thrive at Goucher."