Creating Success
Student Snapshot: Sarah Jang ’25
Sarah Jang '25 (international business & management) hasn’t just found her place at Dickinson. She’s made Dickinson her own. As president of the Asian & Asian American Collective, she works to raise the visibility of Asians and Asian Americans on campus. As an officer of her sorority, she connects with fellow women leaders on campus who are committed to diversity and inclusion. As a study-abroad student in Taiwan and in Italy, she broadened her outlook exponentially. These pursuits—combined with the legwork it takes to chart a postgraduation path and the time and effort she puts into friendships—help her move toward her own definition of success.
Hometown:
Garden Grove, Calif.
Major(s):
International business & management (IB&M), with minors in Chinese and economics.
Clubs and organizations:
Asian & Asian American Collective (president), Sigma Lambda Gamma (VP of finance, Dickinson chapter), Residential Advisor, Global Ambassador, IB&M Committee and Dickinson Hell Raisers.
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Posse Foundation Leadership Scholar and Dean’s List.
Best thing about my Dickinson experience so far:
The best part of my Dickinson experience has been the opportunity to deeply engage with the campus community. Coming from California, where diversity is integrated into everyday life, I experienced some culture shock here. However, that experience pushed me to embrace my heritage even more and inspired me to help create spaces for representation. Maintaining the Asian and Asian American Collective (AAAC) has been an important part of that journey. Through AAAC, I'm working to raise awareness and visibility for Asian cultures while also fostering a supportive campus community.
Joining Sigma Lambda Gamma has been another highlight. It has introduced me to a powerful group of diverse women who are dedicated leaders and are truly committed to diversity and inclusion. This is perfectly aligned with my mission, and their passion inspires me to continue advocating for positive change.
Overall, Dickinson has truly supported my development, allowing me to take the initiative and lead events and meetings that, I hope, have a long-term impact on campus.
On studying abroad:
Studying abroad for my entire junior year has been one of the most enriching parts of my Dickinson experience. Spending fall 2023 in Taiwan gave me the incredible opportunity to fully immerse myself in the local culture. I had the independence to explore Taiwan beyond the typical study-abroad setup, which was empowering. Navigating the public transportation system on my own, trying a range of amazing foods and connecting with locals opened my eyes to the depth of Taiwanese culture. I learned so much through conversations, which really challenged me to grow and adapt.
In spring 2024 I studied in Italy. The highlight was the academic flexibility that allowed me to travel and explore. Italy’s rich history, art and architecture were incredible to experience firsthand, but the program also made it easy to travel beyond Italy. Exploring neighboring countries and cultures added so many layers to my experience and broadened my worldview.
Living in these two distinct places with such different languages and traditions, gave me new perspectives and has had a lasting impact on my outlook on global cultures and my own goals.
Most important thing I’ve learned so far:
The most important lesson I’ve learned so far is that success is not one-size-fits-all. It’s so much more than a single achievement or destination. It’s a personal journey that means different things to different people. Some might find success in financial stability, while others value comfort, strong relationships or academic achievement. For me, success is about being content and at peace with where I am in the present.
I consider myself very ambitious. I work hard every day to build the future I want. I put a lot of effort into my post-graduation job applications, contribute passionately to the organizations I’m a part of, stay committed to my academics, and invest time and care into my relationships. These efforts are all essential to how I define success for myself, but I also know it’s crucial not to measure myself against others. Everyone has their own definition of success, and comparing our paths can take away the joy and satisfaction we find in our unique journeys.
Learning this has allowed me to focus on my goals and priorities rather than constantly looking around for where others are. Finally, I've realized that success is about staying true to my ambitions, maintaining inner peace and finding happiness in my own progress.
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Published November 15, 2024